At $34,947/yr net price, Chamberlain University-Missouri 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) | $34,947 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $139,788 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $92,405/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$58,405/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 33.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,919 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $34,222/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $35,672/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
33.3% of students at Chamberlain University-Missouri graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Chamberlain University-Missouri is a single-purpose nursing school, and the numbers reflect that focus. Your bachelor's in registered nursing pays about $71,000 ten years out, and with median debt around $21,000, the debt-to-earnings math works. That debt load sits well below what many private schools saddle you with, and nursing is a stable field in the St. Louis region with steady hospital demand.
The catch is everything around that degree. Only a third of students finish, and just two-thirds return after their first year. If you enroll, you carry real risk of paying tuition, taking on debt, and leaving without the credential that makes the earnings possible. The payoff assumes you graduate, and most people here don't.
The net price is the other problem. At roughly $35,000 a year, this for-profit school costs more than most public nursing programs in Missouri that lead to the same RN license. The price barely moves across income tiers: families earning $30-48k pay about $34,000, and those earning $48-75k pay slightly more. There's no meaningful discount for lower incomes here, so a working-class family pays nearly the full sticker price.
This school makes financial sense for you if you are certain you want nursing, confident you'll finish, and unable to get into a cheaper public RN program. The single strong bachelor's outcome is real, and the debt stays manageable.
Look elsewhere if you're unsure about nursing, price-sensitive, or worried about finishing. A public university offering the same license at a lower net price gives you the same $71,000 earning path without the for-profit premium. Given the completion rate, spending $35,000 a year before you know you'll graduate is a gamble that hits hardest at lower incomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chamberlain University-Missouri worth the high tuition cost?
With a net price of nearly $35,000 per year and only a 33% graduation rate, Chamberlain University-Missouri presents significant financial risk. Many students pay high costs without completing their degree, making the investment questionable for most applicants.
What is the return on investment for Chamberlain University-Missouri nursing programs?
Nursing graduates from Chamberlain University-Missouri earn around $71,315 annually, which provides decent returns if you complete the program. However, with two-thirds of students not graduating, the odds of reaching this earning potential are poor.
How much debt do Chamberlain University-Missouri graduates typically have?
Graduates who complete their degree at Chamberlain University-Missouri have a median debt of $20,919, which is manageable for nursing salaries. The bigger concern is the high dropout rate, leaving many students with debt but no degree.
Are there better alternatives to Chamberlain University-Missouri for nursing education?
Yes, community colleges and public universities typically offer nursing programs at much lower costs with better graduation rates. Chamberlain's 33% graduation rate is well below average for nursing schools.