Students at Bellarmine University achieve earnings that place the institution in the top quarter nationally, with particularly strong outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds who benefit from the university's professional program focus.
Graduates consistently reach solid middle-class earnings levels, especially in nursing and other health professions where Bellarmine has developed strong employer relationships and program reputation.
Bellarmine University delivers strong long-term financial outcomes that place it well above typical institutions nationwide. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, this private nonprofit university combines the personalized attention of a mid-sized institution with career preparation that translates into meaningful earnings advantages for graduates. Students earn a median of $62,069 ten years after enrollment, positioning Bellarmine in the 77th percentile nationally for graduate earnings.
The university's strength lies particularly in professional programs, with nursing serving as a cornerstone that drives much of the institution's strong return on investment. Adult Health Nursing alone graduates 172 students annually with median earnings of $60,088, creating substantial aggregate value for the university's overall outcomes. This professional focus helps explain why Bellarmine graduates consistently outperform many peer institutions in long-term financial success.
As a "Selective Achievers" institution, Bellarmine maintains higher admission standards while delivering strong outcomes for the students it enrolls. The university serves about 25% Pell Grant recipients and 27% first-generation students, providing meaningful access while maintaining the academic rigor and support systems that contribute to its above-average earnings performance.
Bellarmine University's program portfolio centers on professional fields that lead directly to stable, well-paying careers. Nursing dominates both enrollment and outcomes, with Adult Health Nursing graduating 172 students annually at median earnings of $60,088. This program alone generates the highest aggregate return at the university, reflecting both strong enrollment and excellent career outcomes in Kentucky's growing healthcare sector.
Psychology represents the university's largest non-nursing program with 50 graduates, though early-career earnings of $24,904 reflect the field's typical trajectory toward graduate school or entry-level positions that build over time. Banking and Financial Support Services, while smaller at 20 graduates, demonstrates strong earning potential at $47,260, showing how Bellarmine's business-oriented programs prepare students for solid financial sector careers.
The university's strength lies in professional program preparation rather than broad liberal arts offerings. Nursing and business-related fields form the core of Bellarmine's academic identity, supported by strong clinical partnerships and employer relationships in the Louisville metropolitan area. This focused approach helps explain why graduates achieve consistently strong earnings outcomes across the university's key programs, with healthcare professions leading the way in both enrollment and financial returns.
Bellarmine University graduates achieve strong long-term earnings that reflect the institution's focus on career-oriented programs. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $62,069, placing the university in the 77th percentile nationally for graduate earnings. This performance demonstrates consistent value across the university's program portfolio, with particularly strong outcomes in health professions and professional fields that dominate the institution's academic offerings.
The university's return on investment is anchored by its nursing programs, which represent the largest and most successful component of Bellarmine's academic portfolio. Adult Health Nursing graduates 172 students annually with median earnings of $60,088, creating the highest aggregate return of any program at the university. Psychology, while enrolling 50 graduates, shows more modest early-career earnings at $24,904, reflecting the different career trajectories typical of liberal arts fields. Banking and Financial Support Services demonstrates strong earning potential at $47,260 for its 20 graduates, showing how Bellarmine's professional programs consistently deliver solid financial outcomes.
The university's career preparation and professional focus help graduates transition effectively into stable, well-paying careers. With 515 graduates earning more than $75,000 annually, Bellarmine demonstrates its ability to prepare students for higher-earning positions across multiple fields, particularly in healthcare, business, and other professional sectors where the university has developed strong employer relationships and program reputation.
Bellarmine University's private school pricing reflects its positioning as a mid-sized nonprofit institution, with net prices that vary significantly by family income level. Low-income students pay approximately $18,542 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $20,870 per year. High-income families face higher net prices of about $29,302, reflecting the typical private university model where families with greater resources contribute more toward educational costs.
The university's financial aid approach helps make private education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds. About 25% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating meaningful enrollment of lower-income students despite the private school price structure. The institution's aid packaging appears designed to bring net costs for low- and middle-income families closer to public university levels while maintaining the revenue needed to support smaller class sizes and enhanced student services.
Debt levels at Bellarmine are manageable relative to the earnings graduates achieve. Typical federal student loan debt is $25,000, which aligns well with the university's median graduate earnings of $62,069. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $18,213, a moderate level that reflects family contributions without creating excessive burden. The combination of solid earnings and reasonable debt levels creates a sustainable financial model for most Bellarmine graduates.
Bellarmine University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
