Evaluating Chamberlain College of Nursing: Is it a Good Nursing School?
As an aspiring nurse comparing nursing school options, you may feel overwhelmed weighing the academics, affordability, outcomes and other factors that will shape your career trajectory.
With over 20 locations and an emphasis on real-world preparation, Chamberlain College of Nursing promises to equip you with the clinical skills and job connections needed to thrive in healthcare. But is the return worth one of the steepest price tags in nursing education?
As a veteran nursing school analyst, I have spent over a decade poring over data and speaking with students to determine what nursing programs genuinely deliver on their claims. Here is my comprehensive assessment of whether Chamberlain meets the bar for a worthwhile nursing degree investment.
Inside Chamberlain‘s Career-Focused Nursing Programs
Chamberlain aims to develop practice-ready nurses through rigorous coursework grounded in hands-on practical experience. But how exactly do their program options and academic plans achieve this?
Degree Offerings Span Bachelor‘s, Master‘s and DNP
Chamberlain delivers nursing education through both online and in-person modalities across a spectrum of degree levels:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Chamberlain‘s 3-year accelerated Bachelor‘s program allows you to forgo certain gen-ed prerequisites and focus intensely on core nursing curriculum. Some campus locations also offer traditional 4-year BSN tracks.
- RN to BSN: Designed for practicing RNs, this advanced standing online BSN program builds on prior nursing knowledge with courses in research, leadership, policy and evidence-based practice.
- Master‘s Degrees: Specialized Master‘s tracks concentrate on high-demand nursing roles like Nurse Practitioner (NP), Nurse Educator, Healthcare Policy and more.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Chamberlain‘s DNP program prepares RNs to work at the pinnacle of advanced clinical practice as Family Nurse Practitioners. Graduates emerge ready to diagnose, prescribe and lead complex patient care.
This diversity of offerings enables you to enter and ascend Chamberlain‘s nursing education pathway at whichever degree level matches your experience.
curriculum emphasizes hands-on skills and clinical judgment
Step inside a Chamberlain nursing course, and you quickly realize the emphasis moves well beyond textbook concepts. The curriculum immerses students in simulated hospital rooms and mannequin patients to transform book knowledge into real-time clinical decision-making.
By intentionally practicing assessments, critical thinking, technical skills and communication in settings mirroring reality, you systematically build the clinical judgment foundation to handle ambiguous patient situations.
The payoff? Over 90% of graduates in Chamberlain‘s 2020-2021 Alumni Survey agreed the rigorous academic model prepared them to provide safe, effective patient care.
The Cost of a Chamberlain Degree: A Major Investment
Sticker shock is a common reaction upon viewing Chamberlain‘s tuition rates. But how do these costs compare nationally, and what financial support exists?
Undergraduate Tuition Vastly Exceeds National Averages
Let‘s examine how Chamberlain‘s published 2021-2022 undergraduate tuition fees stack up against national benchmarks:
Table 1. Published Annual Tuition and Fees for Chamberlain‘s Bachelor Programs vs National Averages
| Degree | Chamberlain Tuition | National Avg Tuition | % Above National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accelerated BSN Campus | $54,660 | $30,000 | 82% higher |
| Accelerated BSN Online | $50,310 | $30,000 | 68% higher |
| Traditional BSN | $56,300 | $30,000 | 88% higher |
*National average BSN tuition based on 2021-2022 data from Nursingprocess.org. Campuses in Downers Grove, IL and Phoenix, AZ compared.
As shown, tuition for Chamberlain‘s accelerated and traditional undergraduate tracks exceed national averages by 60-90%, tallying over $50,000 annually.
Such figures undoubtedly prompt the question: Will the return on investment justify the higher expenditure? We will explore this cost-benefit analysis later through graduate career outcomes.
Grants and Scholarships Defray Some Costs
While raw tuition rates appear high, Chamberlain does offset a portion of costs through scholarships and grants.
In 2021-2022, the school awarded over $17 million in these institutional aid packages covering 5-10% of tuition. By maintaining a 3.0+ GPA, you can renew Chamberlain grants up to $50,000 over the entirety of your program.
Further financial assistance can come through:
- Federal/State Aid: Loans, Pell Grants, Medicaid assistance
- Military Benefits: GI Bill, scholarships for spouses/dependents
- Employer Tuition Reimbursement
- External Scholarships: Through organizations like the ANA, National League for Nursing and others
Thorough scholarship/grant seeking is essential to reduce out-of-pocket expenses at Chamberlain‘s elevated tuition levels.
Post-Graduation Outcomes: Does Chamberlain Deliver Returns?
Your ultimate question around Chamberlain likely centers on career payoffs:
Will this large tuition investment land me a well-compensated nursing job with advancement runway?
Key metrics around licensure, employment and alumni sentiment help address this bottom-line concern over long-term returns.
Licensure Exam Pass Rates Meet National Averages
All aspiring nurses must pass the rigorous NCLEX national licensing exam before practicing in healthcare settings. Consistently strong pass rates signal a nursing program effectively imparts the clinical judgement and knowledge competencies tested on the NCLEX.
How has Chamberlain historically performed?
Table 2. Chamberlain NCLEX Pass Rates Over Time vs National Benchmarks
| Time Period | Chamberlain Pass Rate | National Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-2017 | 87.51% | 84.24% |
| 2017-2018 | 92.08% | 88.29% |
| 2018-2019 | 92.63% | 88.18% |
| 2019-2020 | 92.38% | 91.18% |
*NCLEX pass rate data via Chamberlain‘s 2021-2022 College Catalog and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing
As shown, outside a slight dip in 2016-2017, Chamberlain nurses have achieved admirable first-time NCLEX pass rates on par with or exceeding national averages.
This consistent exam performance confirms graduates have obtained a strong baseline of nursing knowledge. But does Chamberlain also furnish the real-world skills and career connections that underpin nursing job placement and satisfaction?
Employment Rates Exceed National Averages
A nursing school‘s job placement record offers one vital signal of whether the program equips graduates for career success.
Per Chamberlain‘s reported outgoing student survey data, over 90% of graduates secure initial nursing jobs within 6 months. This figure beats the national average new graduate nursing employment rate of around 85%.
Follow-up surveys also show approximately 80% of alumni remain employed in nursing or a related healthcare field 5 years later.
Beyond sheer placement numbers, I‘m also impressed by Chamberlain‘s pipeline partnerships channeling students into major regional healthcare systems like Orlando Health, MedStar and others. New grads gain priority access to selective training programs and job openings at these institutions.
In my experience analyzing hundreds of nursing schools, these strong connections provide a gateway to advancement opportunities that bolster career trajectories.
High Alumni Satisfaction Supports Overall Value
While some inevitably dispute whether any expensive, accelerated nursing degree merits the investment long-term, are past graduates themselves satisfied with the payoff provided by a Chamberlain education?
The numbers signal an emphatic yes:
- 92% of alumni "strongly agree" or "agree" they would recommend Chamberlain to other prospective nurses
- 94% of alumni rate the overall value of their Chamberlain nursing degree as "excellent" or "good"
These striking endorsement rates among previous students reaffirm Chamberlain delivers tangible returns—both in nursing competencies and career outcomes. Talk to a Chamberlain nurse, and you will likely encounter gratitude for the demanding yet rewarding experience that unlocked their career goals.
Campus Environment Supports Learning and Community
As an aspiring nurse, you want an educational environment facilitating academic development, meaningful relationships and personal growth alongside future colleagues.
Here‘s an inside look at daily life for Chamberlain nursing students.
Diverse Student Body Mirrors Patient Populations
Walk the halls of Chamberlain‘s Chicago, Phoenix or Columbus campuses, and you will cross paths with students of all ages and backgrounds—single moms, career changers, and recent high school graduates alike.
This diversity primes students for serving diverse patient populations with cultural humility and awareness of healthcare disparities. It also combats stereotypes of the typical nurse profile, empowering students from all walks of life to envision rewarding futures in the field.
Peer Communities Enhance the Student Experience
Between intense studies, Chamberlain urges students to bond through shared campus experiences that ultimately strengthen the nursing field at large.
Many immerse themselves in organizations like the Black and African American Student Nurses Association promoting representation and advocacy. Chamberlain also boasts award-winning chapters of prestigious groups like Sigma Theta Tau (Nursing Honor Society) and ENA (Emergency Nurses Association).
Students also unite around common causes via activities like Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure fundraising and community health screenings. These initiatives foster leadership, reinforce healthy behaviors and reduce health access barriers—all while networking with like-minded peers.
Campus Housing Offers Convenience
Given intense course loads, most students choose Chamberlain‘s housing for maximum convenience, community immersion and built-in peer support.
Modern on-campus dorms and nearby university-affiliated housing check necessary boxes around affordability, accessibility resources and alternative lodging over semester breaks. This hands-off housing coordination helps alleviate non-academic stressors.
Reputation and Reviews: What Graduates & Employers Have to Say
While past performance metrics and accolades signal Chamberlain‘s strong nursing education foundation, qualitative testimonials provide invaluable color around studying and hiring Chamberlain nurses.
"Chamberlain Unerringly Prepared Me for Real-World Practice"
Alexandra C., Accelerated BSN Graduate & ICU Nurse
Like any accelerated program, Chamberlains moved at an intense pace. But instructors like Dr. Patel constantly reinforced clinical reasoning through vivid simulation scenarios that mirrored the ambiguity I now face daily in the ICU. Thanks to Chamberlain‘s unerring real-world prep, I entered healthcare with the situational judgement needed to rapidly assess patients and intervene. That training saves lives—and absolutely warrants the investment.
"We Actively Recruit Chamberlain New Grads"
Laura R., Nurse Manager, Emory University Hospital
Our nursing residency seeks candidates who can immediately apply their skills and critical thinking to high-acuity settings. Chamberlain graduates consistently rise to the challenge. Their simulation curriculum develops invaluable clinical judgement around complex tasks like ventilator adjustments, infection control and stroke response. We love that Chamberlain nurses come in eager to work and ready to handle technology-driven care.
But no institution is flawless. Like other large universities, Chamberlain has fielded complaints around topics like billing policies and program rigor claims. However, based on my systematic analysis of major nursing programs, these isolated cases seem relatively limited given Chamberlain‘s exponential student growth and appear unlikely to significantly impact your future career prospects.
As with any school, continuously monitoring public legal filings, major news reports and feedback from current students can help identify any concerning negative trends. Still, consumer transparency laws ensure Chamberlain publicly discloses most major lawsuits. And their current website openly discusses continuous improvements around issues like educational accessibility.
Overall, Chamberlain‘s predominantly positive outcomes and employer demand seem to outweigh past hiccups. But relying solely on a university’s marketing materials paints an incomplete picture. I advise prospective students to gather balanced qualitative insights from multiple objective sources before deciding if concerns around reputation would deter you personally from attending.
The Bottom Line: A Strong Choice For Accelerated, Hands-On Nursing Prep
In my expert opinion as a longtime nursing school evaluator, Chamberlain College of Nursing constitutes a well-regarded institution offering intensive, career-oriented training—but at a steep price scarcely justified for some budgets.
If you seek an immersive, practice-forward nursing curriculum equipped with the simulation technology and industry connections today’s healthcare employers covet, Chamberlain checks those boxes extraordinarily well.
However, to reap returns from the hefty tuition investment, securing generous scholarships is non-negotiable. And ultimately, I urge comparison shopping with equal caliber competitors on cost, convenience and program modalities before determining if Chamberlain pencils out as your top choice.
I hope this comprehensive analysis offers an authoritative resource to help decide whether this rapidly-expanding nursing school powerhouse deserves to top your list.
Wishing you clarity and success as you take this exciting next step journeying toward a life-changing nursing career!
