At $26,933/yr net price, Chamberlain University-Illinois 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) | $26,933 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $107,732 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $92,405/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$58,405/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.0% |
| 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 | $23,886/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,216/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,851/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $35,946/yr |
| $110,001+ | $36,221/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. | Doctoral | $127,754 | $39,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Certificate | $106,421 | $30,922 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $90,893 | $42,611 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $71,315 | $22,213 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $54,630 |
The Risk Factor
50.0% of students at Chamberlain University-Illinois graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Chamberlain University-Illinois delivers a clear financial return built on one thing: nursing. Your bachelor's in registered nursing leads to earnings around $71,315, and the median debt of about $20,919 stays below that first-year salary. That debt-to-earnings ratio is healthy and puts you in position to pay loans off without strain.
The catch is that nursing is essentially the whole story here. This is a single-focus school, so if you want a nursing degree in the Chicago area, the payoff is real and the regional demand for RNs backs it up. If you are looking for anything outside nursing, this is not your school.
The biggest risk is finishing. Half of students graduate, and roughly a quarter don't return after the first year. If you borrow, start nursing, and drop out, you carry debt with no degree and no nursing salary to cover it. That failure scenario is the main financial danger, not the cost of the degree itself.
Net price is the other pressure point. At a private for-profit, you pay real money out of pocket. The income tiers show something worth planning around: if your family earns over $75,000, your net price jumps by more than $10,000 a year compared to lower-income families, landing near $36,000. Under $48,000, you pay closer to $23,000.
This school fits you if you are committed to nursing and confident you'll finish. The earnings justify the cost when you graduate. Look elsewhere if you are undecided on a major, since there's little else here, or if you doubt you can push through to the degree given the even odds of completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chamberlain University-Illinois worth the cost for nursing students?
Yes, if you complete the program. Nursing graduates earn strong salaries ranging from $54,630 to $127,754 depending on specialization, but the 50% graduation rate means half of students don't finish and may still carry debt.
What is the ROI for Chamberlain University-Illinois compared to other nursing schools?
The $92,405 average earnings after 10 years provide solid returns for nursing graduates, but the $26,933 annual cost is higher than many public alternatives. The relatively low median debt of $20,919 helps offset the higher tuition.
How much debt do Chamberlain University-Illinois graduates typically have?
The median debt is $20,919, which is manageable for nursing salaries. However, students who don't graduate (50% of enrollees) may still accumulate significant debt without the earning power to repay it.
Are there better alternatives to Chamberlain University-Illinois for nursing education?
Public nursing programs typically cost less and often have higher graduation rates. Chamberlain's main advantage is the 91% acceptance rate, making it accessible for students who can't get into more selective programs.