Is Chamberlain College of Nursing Worth it? Nurses Review
With 23 campuses across 15 states, Chamberlain College’s nursing program offers a more accessible and convenient program than most other traditional nursing programs. There is no waitlist at most locations, and students can begin the nursing curriculum as early as the end of their first year of study.
Nursing students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as few as three years of year-round study. But students with a bachelor's degree in another field might be able to transfer qualifying credits and earn their BSN even faster!
Most importantly, Chamberlain College’s BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Stats
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Private or Public: Private
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Tuition: $590-$800 per credit hour
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Acceptance Rate: 92% - there are no waitlists or pre-requisite courses. Students must have the following for acceptance into the program:
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Proof of high school graduation, with a 2.8 GPA or above, or a GED equivalent
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Completion of the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Exam
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Drug screen or background and fingerprint checks within 120 days of your start date to gain clinical clearance.
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NCLEX Pass Rate: 90.91% (2020)
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Application Deadlines: Rolling/programs start three times per year
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Accreditation:
- University: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
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Nursing Programs: CCNE
- Distance DNP Program: National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA)
- University: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
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Diversity: Diversity depends on the campus location. However, the demographics for one Illinois campus are as follows:
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Women: 88% of the student population
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White: 1,409 students
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Black or African American: 623 students
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Hispanic: 567 students
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Asian: 277 students
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 14 students
- International: 14 students
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Contact Information
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Address, main campus: 500 W Monroe St #28, Chicago, IL 60661
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Email: Complete the request form
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Phone Number: 877-751-5783
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Social platforms
Additional Information
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Rankings: #661-681 in t, according to US News and World Report
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Graduation rate: BSN: 45%
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Student/faculty ratios: As low as 1:10, but ratios depend on the campus
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Featured employers of alumni: Meris, a Chamberlain College of Nursing ‘21 Columbus campus alumni, states, ”I interviewed for three jobs, and I was offered three positions. Each interviewer told me specifically that they have had really good experiences with Chamberlain-prepared graduates. It's important to know that your degree is respected in your community.”
Degrees Offered
3-year BSN
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Tuition: Tuition ranges between $699 and $725 per credit hour, depending on the campus. Additional student fees also apply.
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Program Length: As little as three years
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Online Options Available? Yes (with in-person clinical)
Online BSN
- Tuition: $699 per credit hour. Additional student fees also apply
- Program Length: As little as 3 years
- Online Options Available? Yes (with in-person skills evaluation)
RN to BSN
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Tuition: $590 per credit hour. Additional student fees also apply.
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Program Length: As little as one year (full-time)
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Online Options Available? Yes (with in-person clinical)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
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Tuition: $675 per credit hour
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Program Length: As little as two years
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Online Options Available? Yes (with in-person clinicals)
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
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Tuition: $675 per credit hour. Additional student fees also apply.
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Program Length: As little as three years (full-time)
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Online Options Available? Yes (with in-person clinicals)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
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Tuition: $800 per credit hour. Additional student fees also apply.
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Program Length: As little as two years
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Online Options Available? Yes (in-person clinicals)
Specialties Offered
Chamberlain University offers many MSN specialties, both clinical and non-clinical or non-bedside. The school also has three DNP elective focus areas that culminate in a 5-part final project and practicum.
MSN Non-clinical Tracks:
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Healthcare Policy
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Nurse Educator
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Nurse Executive
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Nursing Informatics
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Population Health
Nurse Practitioner Tracks:
DNP Elective Focus Areas:
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Healthcare Systems Leadership
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Educational Leadership
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Advanced Practice Leadership
Is Chamberlain College a Good Nursing Program?
Chamberlain has an excellent nursing program. However, students who do not take the work seriously are much less likely to complete the program.
Chamberlain College is accredited by CCNE, which evaluates all nursing schools and programs in the US. The CCNE assesses the quality of academic programs at higher education institutions and establishes criteria for professional certification and licensure.
What Do You Need to Get Into Chamberlain's Nursing School?
Chamberlain University School of Nursing has a 93% overall acceptance rate. However, 100% of students who complete the required education and application requirements are accepted.
The university has no waitlists or pre-requisite courses. Students must have the following for acceptance into the program:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- 2.8 cumulative high school GPA
- Pass the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) Exam
- Drug screen or background and fingerprint checks within 120 days of your start date for clinical clearance
How Hard is the Nursing Program at Chamberlain?
Chamberlain’s nursing program is rigorous and requires hard work and dedication to graduate, as are all accredited nursing programs.
Students report that their graduation date is immediately pushed back if they fail a class. They added that students only had two fails and two withdrawals before being dropped from the program.
What Kind of Support Does Chamberlain College of Nursing Offer Their Nursing Students?
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Small class sizes that can offer individualized success
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Opportunity to practice nursing skills and receive feedback in a safe, simulated environment before you treat a patient
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Hands-on clinical experiences with an experienced nursing BSN instructor by your side in many diverse healthcare settings
- Financial aid in federal and private loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study is also available to those who qualify
At Chamberlain College of Nursing, students may have an opportunity to practice their clinical skills at various types of healthcare facilities, such as:
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Large and small hospitals
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Long-term care facilities
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Community and public health agencies
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Faith-based service organizations
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Independent practices
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Ambulatory care centers
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Public health agencies
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Military services (Army, Navy, and Air Force)
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Veteran’s Administration Medical Centers
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Schools
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How Much Is the Nursing Program at Chamberlain College of Nursing?
Tuition ranges between $590 and $800 per credit hour, depending on the campus and degree.
Additional fees apply (may be variable by campus):
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Background check/drug screening/fingerprinting (varies by campus): $200-$225
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Student services charge: $200 per session
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Student activity fee (campus-based): $10 per session
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Books & supplies: $100-$175 per session
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Course resource fee (BSN online option only): $75 per course
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Health screening & immunizations (campus-based): $500-$1,400
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Student injury and sickness insurance plan: $4,004
Is Chamberlain College of Nursing Worth It?
Many students want to know if the cost of Chamberlain College’s nursing program is worth the expected salary. But each student must make this determination based on several different factors. Some of these factors include:
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The type of healthcare institution where you will be employed
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The city and state will you live
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The nursing specialty you pursue
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Whether you work part-time or full-time
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Whether you pick up overtime shifts or weekends (for a higher hourly wage)?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses earn a median annual salary of $77,600/hr or $37.31/hr. However, the range varies widely depending on many of the abovementioned factors.
According to ZipRecruiter, nurse salaries range from $35,500 to $129,000. Nurses who live in cities and states with a higher cost of living typically earn much higher salaries than nurses who work in more rural areas.
What is Chamberlain College of Nursing's Transfer Policy?
Chamberlain University’s website reports that the university welcomes transfer students from other institutions. Transfer students must follow the Chamberlain University admission guidelines and procedures.
Chamberlain College of Nursing is a CCNE-accredited program, so outside schools might accept transfer units. Check with the university you plan to transfer to first and ensure your credits are transferable before making any changes. Every nursing program has its own policy on transferring credits.
Chamberlain College of Nursing School Reviews
“Getting through this program! My classmates and clinical instructors are my favorite part. Lots of hard work, but I'm learning everyday.” - Jennifer N Kerley on Facebook
“They talk the talk and walk the walk as far as students and student success at Chamberlain College of Nursing, Phoenix Campus.” - LeAnne Prenovost on Facebook.
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