Chamberlain University-Illinois
Addison, Illinois · Private For-Profit · 82.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 75/100 · Strong Value
Chamberlain University-Illinois scores 75 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale. This is a single-program institution: Registered Nursing is the only reported program, and it is what Chamberlain does exclusively. With 5,665 nursing graduates, the Scorecard figure is highly reliable -- this is one of the largest nursing graduate cohorts in the dataset. Median 6-year earnings of $69,800 and a 4.7-year payback period are the headline strengths. Registered Nursing earns $83,188 year-one and $96,132 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.471 (ROI grade C+). Median debt of $39,146 for nursing is high -- substantially above comparable nursing programs at public institutions -- and this is the primary weakness in Chamberlain's profile. Net price of $31,837 is also elevated relative to public alternatives. The 41.7% completion rate is low for a nursing school and is the most significant concern: fewer than half of students who enroll earn a degree, which creates a large population carrying debt without credentials. Repayment rate of 66.5% at three years reflects the dropout problem -- many borrowers are not graduates and therefore struggle with repayment. Chamberlain is for-profit, which should be factored into how prospective students evaluate claims about program quality and student support.
The median graduate earns $92,405 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
Chamberlain University-Illinois
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $21,536/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $21,536/yr |
| Average net price | $31,837/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $127,348 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $92,405 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $69,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,919 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $222 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 41.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 14,027 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Chamberlain University-Illinois is $21,536/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $31,837/year, or roughly $127,348 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $30,013/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $40,826/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,919 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $222 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $92,405 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.30 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $30,013 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $30,090 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $34,050 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $32,607 |
| $110,001+ | $40,826 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $30,013 per year at Chamberlain -- one of the highest net prices for any nursing program in the dataset, especially for low-income students. Four years at $30,013 totals $120,052. Against median nursing earnings of $83,188 at year one, graduates who complete can recover this cost, but the 41.7% completion rate means most low-income students who enroll will not reach that point. Public ADN and BSN programs in Illinois offer nursing credentials at dramatically lower cost.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $34,050 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $32,607. Net prices are very similar across income bands -- again suggesting limited income-based differentiation. Middle-income families pay $34,050 annually ($136,200 over four years) for a program where median nursing earnings are $83,188 year-one and median debt is $39,146. The financial math works for graduates but not for the 58.3% who do not complete.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $40,826 per year, roughly $163,304 over four years. This is full-cost nursing education at a for-profit institution. High-income families paying full cost for Chamberlain when Illinois public nursing programs exist at $10,000-$15,000 per year should have a specific reason -- schedule flexibility, geographic accessibility -- that justifies the premium.
Earnings by Major
Top 1 most popular majors at Chamberlain University-Illinois with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $96,132 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is Chamberlain's only program and the basis of all ROI analysis: 5,665 graduates, $83,188 year-one, $96,132 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.471 (ROI grade C+). The earnings figures are solid -- year-one above $83k is strong for new RNs. The concern is median debt of $39,146, which is 41% higher than the $27,000 cap seen at most public nursing programs in this dataset. The C+ grade reflects the elevated debt load despite good earnings. Students who can access public nursing programs at lower debt levels should compare total cost carefully before choosing Chamberlain.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 62.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 66.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 65.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 69.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 82.6% |
| Enrollment | 14,027 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 33.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,912 |
At 82.6% admission, Chamberlain is broadly accessible. The Scorecard does not report test score ranges. Admission is not a meaningful filter; Chamberlain appears to recruit broadly and accept widely. The relevant enrollment decision is whether the nursing program's completion rate, debt level, and total cost compare favorably to ADN programs at community colleges or BSN programs at public four-year institutions in the student's state.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Chamberlain's Scorecard peers include Columbia Southern University, Galen College of Nursing Louisville, and West Coast University campuses -- all single-focus or for-profit health institutions. Among nursing-focused schools, Chamberlain's year-one earnings of $83,188 are competitive. The debt level of $39,146 is the outlier compared to public nursing programs where median debt is typically $20,000-$27,000. Galen College of Nursing Louisville has comparable earnings with lower debt in some markets. The 41.7% completion rate is below average for dedicated nursing schools, which typically have higher retention than comprehensive universities because students are academically self-selected.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain University-Illinois (this school) | 75 | $31,837 | $92,405 |
| West Coast University-Orange County | 83 | $32,879 | $102,672 |
| West Coast University-Ontario | 71 | $49,590 | $102,672 |
| West Coast University-Los Angeles | 69 | $53,020 | $102,672 |
| Columbia Southern University | 69 | $14,580 | $63,534 |
| Galen College of Nursing-Louisville | 64 | $18,540 | $61,480 |
Who Thrives Here
Chamberlain admits 82.6% of applicants and does not report SAT or ACT ranges. At 14,027 enrolled, it is a large institution operating on an accelerated nursing curriculum model. The Pell grant rate of 33.3% indicates significant financial need. Chamberlain serves students who want direct entry into nursing without a traditional four-year liberal arts structure. The appeal is professional focus and flexible scheduling. The completion rate of 41.7% is the critical caveat -- the majority of students who start the nursing program do not finish it, and those who drop out accumulate Chamberlain's above-market debt without a credential.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Chamberlain University-Illinois delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $31,837 per year ($127,348 over four years), graduates earn a median of $92,405 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 4.7 years - a solid return on the investment.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows a 41.7% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $20,919 is very manageable against $92,405 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.