Chamberlain University-Virginia
Vienna, Virginia · Private For-Profit · 90.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 86/100 · Strong Value
Chamberlain University-Virginia scores 86 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale, a for-profit nursing school in Vienna, VA. The standout metric is a reported 100% completion rate — a figure that deserves scrutiny but that the Scorecard reports as-is. Median 6-year earnings of $69,800 and a 4.8-year payback period are both strong, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.300 is well within manageable range. Median debt of $20,919 against $69,800 earnings is favorable. The single weakness flagged by the score is the repayment rate: only 66.5% at year 7, which is the low end for an institution posting strong earnings. This anomaly is worth noting — the low repayment rate despite high earnings may reflect income-driven repayment plan adoption among graduates, or a mismatch in the Scorecard's methodology for this institution type. Net price of $33,199 is high relative to the $20,785 in-state tuition, suggesting fees and required living costs are substantial. Income-stratified net price data is available only for the 0-30000 bracket ($33,199), with all other brackets null — a significant data gap. The institution has 557 enrolled students and operates as a single-program nursing school.
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-Virginia
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $20,785/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,785/yr |
| Average net price | $33,199/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $132,796 |
| 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 | 4.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 100.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 557 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Chamberlain University-Virginia is $20,785/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $33,199/year, or roughly $132,796 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $33,199/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 | $33,199 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | N/A |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | N/A |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | N/A |
| $110,001+ | N/A |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The only reported net price is $33,199 per year for the 0-30000 bracket — notably, this is the same as the average net price, suggesting the aid formula does not meaningfully differentiate by income at this institution. Low-income students with a Pell grant receive the same price as others, rather than a meaningfully reduced net cost. At $132,796 over four years, this is a significant investment relative to what comparable public nursing programs charge.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Net price data for the 48001-75000 bracket is not reported by the Scorecard. Based on the flat aid structure suggested by the available data, middle-income families should expect costs near the $33,199 average net price. Families comparing this to public nursing program options in Virginia should request specific financial aid estimates from Chamberlain directly.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Net price for higher income brackets is not reported. Given the for-profit pricing structure and the flat net price observed for the lowest bracket, higher-income families should expect to pay at or above $33,199 per year. At $132,796+ over four years against $83,188 year-one nursing earnings in Northern Virginia, the payback math works — but only because Northern Virginia nursing wages are exceptional. The same investment at a different geographic market would look weaker.
Earnings by Major
Top 1 most popular majors at Chamberlain University-Virginia 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 the only program Chamberlain-Virginia offers, with 188 graduates earning $83,188 at year one and $96,132 at year four. Debt-to-earnings of 0.471 (ROI grade C+). Median debt of $39,146 is high — the highest nursing program debt figure in this batch of schools — reflecting the for-profit pricing model. Year-one earnings of $83,188 in Northern Virginia are strong and consistent with the DC metro healthcare labor market. The C+ grade reflects the high debt-to-earnings ratio; the nominal earnings figures are among the strongest in the nursing program category.
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 | 90.0% |
| Enrollment | 557 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 44.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,978 |
The 90% admission rate with no reported SAT or ACT ranges indicates broad accessibility. Chamberlain's admissions process focuses on nursing-specific prerequisites and clinical aptitude rather than standardized test performance. The key decision is whether the net price of $33,199 per year justifies the nursing credential relative to public nursing program alternatives in Virginia that may be available at lower cost.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Scorecard peers include Strayer University-Virginia, South University-Richmond, Chamberlain University-Michigan, Neumont College of Computer Science, and Chamberlain University-Arizona. The most meaningful comparison is between Chamberlain Virginia and the Chamberlain system schools — the Arizona and Michigan campuses have identical program structures with different cost and labor market contexts. Chamberlain Virginia's Northern Virginia location drives the stronger-than-average year-one earnings ($83,188 vs. typically $70,000-75,000 for Chamberlain campuses in other states).
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain University-Virginia (this school) | 86 | $33,199 | $92,405 |
| Neumont College of Computer Science | 89 | $35,205 | $97,827 |
| Chamberlain University-Michigan | 88 | $28,045 | $92,405 |
| Chamberlain University-Arizona | 74 | $40,096 | $92,405 |
| Strayer University-Virginia | 11 | $19,578 | $40,092 |
| South University-Richmond | 11 | $30,442 | $34,421 |
Who Thrives Here
Chamberlain University-Virginia enrolls 557 students in Vienna, Virginia, with a 90% admission rate. SAT and ACT data are not reported. The Pell grant rate of 44.4% indicates substantial low-income enrollment. This is a focused nursing program, not a general-purpose institution. Students who enroll are committing to nursing as a career from day one. The reported 100% completion rate and $69,800 median earnings suggest that students who enter the program are well-positioned to finish and find employment in the high-demand Northern Virginia healthcare market.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
Chamberlain University-Virginia delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $33,199 per year ($132,796 over four years), graduates earn a median of $92,405 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 4.8 years - a solid return on the investment.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 100.0% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows 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.