Head-to-head comparison
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville vs Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus: which has better ROI?
Option A Knoxville, TN
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
- Net price / year
- $18,976
- Earnings, 10 years
- $60,249
- Payback
- 6.4 yrs
Option B Nashville, TN
Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus
- Net price / year
- $27,267
- Earnings, 10 years
- $61,480
- Payback
- 4.2 yrs
Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $54,534 in 4.2 years versus 6.4 years at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, on median earnings of $61,480 vs $60,249 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,976 | $27,267 |
| Total net cost | $75,904 | $54,534 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,249 | $61,480 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $24,166 |
| Payback | 6.4 yrs | 4.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $161,876 | $207,866 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, at $18,976 a year after aid versus $27,267 — a gap of $8,291 a year, or $21,370 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus graduates earn more?
Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus graduates report a median $61,480 ten years after entry, $1,231 more than the $60,249 at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville or Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $24,166 at Galen Health Institutes-Nashville Campus, a difference of $3,666. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.