At $37,002/yr net price, Chamberlain University-Arizona graduates earn $92,405/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $58,405/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $37,002 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $148,008 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $92,405/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$58,405/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 66.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,919 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $31,489/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $37,434/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $39,034/yr |
| $110,001+ | $38,714/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $71,315 | $22,213 |
The Risk Factor
66.7% of students at Chamberlain University-Arizona graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 33% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Chamberlain University-Arizona is a nursing school with one job: get you into a registered nursing career. On that narrow measure, the numbers hold up. Your median debt of around $21,000 sits below what nursing grads here earn in their first years, and 10-year median earnings clear $92,000. That's a workable ratio for a for-profit school, which is not a sentence you get to write often.
The catch is that the return depends almost entirely on you finishing. The retention rate is 55.56%, meaning close to half of first-year students don't come back. If you're one of them, you leave with debt and no nursing credential to pay it off. That's the single biggest financial risk here, and it's a bigger deal than the sticker price. The graduation rate of 66.70% is decent, but you have to survive year one to get there.
The net price is the other problem. At roughly $37,000 a year, this school costs more than most public nursing programs in Arizona, and the price barely moves with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay over $31,000 a year. Higher earners actually pay slightly less than the $48-75k band. The discount for low-income families is thin.
This school makes financial sense if you are certain you want RN work, you can get through the program, and a community college or state nursing route isn't available to you. If you're unsure about nursing or want an affordable path, look at Arizona's public options first. Run the debt math against a starting nursing salary before you commit, and be honest about whether you'll finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chamberlain University-Arizona worth the high tuition cost?
With a net price of $37,002 per year and 10-year graduate earnings of $92,405, Chamberlain offers mixed value. The nursing programs can justify the cost, but other programs may not provide strong returns on investment.
What is the average debt for Chamberlain University-Arizona graduates?
Graduates typically leave with $20,919 in debt, which is manageable compared to the high annual costs. However, this assumes you complete the program, and only 67% of students graduate.
Which Chamberlain University-Arizona programs offer the best ROI?
Nursing programs provide the strongest returns, with graduates earning around $71,315 annually. Other programs at Chamberlain generally offer weaker career prospects relative to the school's high costs.
How hard is it to get into Chamberlain University-Arizona?
Chamberlain accepts 83% of applicants, making admission relatively easy. The bigger challenge is completing your degree, as one-third of students don't graduate.