Chamberlain University-Ohio
Columbus, Ohio · Private For-Profit · 87.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 73/100 · Fair Value
Chamberlain University-Ohio earns an overall ROI score of 73 (Fair Value) -- exceptionally strong for a private for-profit. The Columbus campus is part of the national Chamberlain nursing chain and runs essentially one program at scale: BSN nursing. Published tuition is $19,975 but average net price exceeds tuition at $31,544, reflecting limited institutional aid plus required living and program costs. Four-year cost runs $126,176. Where Chamberlain shines is on the back end: median six-year earnings are $69,800, rising to $92,405 at 10 years. Payback is just 4.6 years and debt-to-earnings is a healthy 0.3 on $20,919 median debt. The single weakness is completion at 28.6% -- the typical for-profit attrition story. Repayment of 66.5% three-year reflects that the cohort of completers does well but the larger group of non-completers struggles. The school is a focused nursing-credential machine: if you finish the BSN, the financial outcome is outstanding. If you do not, you owe meaningful debt with no credential.
The data raises concerns about Chamberlain University-Ohio
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- 6-year graduation rate28.6% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
Chamberlain University-Ohio
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $19,975/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $19,975/yr |
| Average net price | $31,544/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $126,176 |
| 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 | 4.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 28.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 257 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Chamberlain University-Ohio is $19,975/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $31,544/year, or roughly $126,176 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $30,389/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay N/A/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 | $30,389 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | N/A |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $32,700 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | N/A |
| $110,001+ | N/A |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30K pay $30,389 net -- effectively the same as the 48-75K bracket. Aid is thin. Four-year cost is roughly $122K. Workable only if the student finishes the BSN, because the $83,188 first-year nursing earnings absorb the debt comfortably. Risk concentrates entirely on completion.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30-48K and 75-110K brackets are not reported. The 48-75K bracket pays $32,700 -- the highest reported figure. The flat pricing across reported brackets suggests Chamberlain runs minimal need-based aid and treats this as a straightforward tuition-for-credential transaction.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Net price by income for the over-110K bracket is not reported. Given the flat pricing pattern across the brackets that are reported, families across all income levels should plan on net prices near $30K-$33K per year. The financial proposition is identical across the income spectrum.
Earnings by Major
Top 1 most popular majors at Chamberlain University-Ohio 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 effectively Chamberlain's only program at 148 graduates per cycle. It earns a C+ at the program level (slightly lower than the institutional ROI score because program-level grading weights debt more heavily). First-year earnings of $83,188 are exceptional, and four-year earnings of $96,132 confirm continued growth. Median debt is $39,146 -- meaningfully higher than the institutional median because program-loan packaging differs -- but the 0.471 debt-to-earnings ratio remains comfortable. For BSN-bound students who complete, the financial case is robust.
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 | 87.5% |
| Enrollment | 257 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 50.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,978 |
Chamberlain admits 87.5% of applicants. SAT and ACT data are not reported, which is standard for career-credentialing institutions that admit on other criteria. The relatively open admission combined with the 28.6% completion rate is the canonical for-profit nursing pattern: easy to enter, hard to finish. Prospective students should self-assess academic readiness for an accelerated nursing curriculum with rigorous clinical requirements.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Peers are largely sister Chamberlain campuses (Arizona, Indiana, Florida) plus DeVry University-Ohio and Neumont College of Computer Science. The Chamberlain network produces remarkably consistent outcomes campus-to-campus: strong nursing earnings and weak completion. DeVry-Ohio is a parent-company sibling but in IT/business rather than nursing, producing weaker outcomes. Neumont is a niche CS-focused school. Within the for-profit sector, Chamberlain's nursing model is among the best ROI plays available.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain University-Ohio (this school) | 73 | $31,544 | $92,405 |
| Chamberlain University-Florida | 74 | $31,269 | $92,405 |
| Chamberlain University-Texas | 73 | $32,209 | $92,405 |
| West Coast University-Ontario | 71 | $49,590 | $102,672 |
| Baptist Health Sciences University | 69 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| Galen College of Nursing-Louisville | 64 | $18,540 | $61,480 |
Who Thrives Here
Chamberlain fits adult and career-changer students with a clear commitment to nursing as a destination. Pell rate is 50% and enrollment is small (257) at this campus. The fit case is narrow and specific: you want a BSN, you can handle accelerated academic pacing, and you are confident you can finish. Traditional 18-year-old students seeking a broader college experience should not choose Chamberlain; this is a credential factory, and that is not a criticism -- it is the right tool for the right user.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Chamberlain University-Ohio offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $31,544 per year leads to $126,176 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $92,405 a decade out. The payback period of 4.6 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows a 28.6% 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.