Understanding Chamberlain University Tuition Costs

Choosing a university is a huge decision, and understanding the costs involved is a critical part of that process. For those considering a nursing or public health degree, Chamberlain University is a popular option. This article breaks down the tuition and fees associated with Chamberlain University's various programs, offering a comprehensive overview to help prospective students plan their finances. Costs vary by student depending on individual circumstances.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Tuition

Chamberlain University's College of Nursing offers accessible and convenient degree pathways. Nursing students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as few as three years of full-time study. Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers BSN programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. The BSN program has different tuition rates based on location, as of January 2026:

BSN Online: \$780 per credit hour
Addison, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Stockbridge, Tinley Park: \$775 per credit hour
Charlotte, Houston, Irving, Phoenix, Troy: \$765 per credit hour
Columbus, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Miramar, North Brunswick, New Orleans, Overland Park, Pearland, San Antonio, St. Louis, Tampa: \$750 per credit hour

RN to BSN Program Costs

For registered nurses looking to advance their education, Chamberlain offers an RN to BSN program. As of July 2025, the tuition for this program is \$635 per credit hour. In addition to tuition, students should also budget for:

Student Services Charge: \$200 per session
Course Resource Fee: \$100 per course

MSN & Certificate Expenses

For nurses seeking advanced degrees, Chamberlain University offers Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs and certificates. Effective January 2026, the tuition rates are:

Tuition (non-NP courses): \$750 per credit hour
Tuition (NP Courses): \$760 per credit hour

Additional expenses include:

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Background Check/Drug Screening: \$150
Student Services Charge: \$200 per session
Course Resource Fee: \$75 per course
APRN Fee: \$450 per NP course
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment: \$75 - \$175 per session

Chamberlain College of Nursing offers many MSN specialties, both clinical and non-clinical. The Chamberlain nursing program is well-rounded, with several specialization options at the graduate level.

DNP Degree Expenses

For those pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, the tuition as of July 2025 is \$830 per credit hour. Other costs to consider are:

Student Services: \$640 per session
Course Resource Fee: \$75 per course
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment: \$100 per session

Master of Public Health (MPH) Program Costs

Students interested in public health can pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at Chamberlain University. Effective January 2026, the tuition is \$610 per credit hour. Further expenses include:

Student Services Charge: \$200 per session
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment - MPH Degree Program: \$125 per session
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment - Public Health Certificate Program: \$175 per session
Course Resource Fee: \$75 per course

Master of Social Work (MSW) Program Costs

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Chamberlain University, effective January 2026, has a tuition of \$715 per credit hour. Additional costs include:

Student Services Fee: \$200 per session
Background Check: \$50
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment - Traditional Option: \$125 per session
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment - Advanced Standing Option: \$150 per session
Course Resource Fee: \$75 per course

Military and Alumni Rates

Chamberlain University offers reduced tuition rates for military personnel and alumni in several programs. The military rate is defined as active duty, veterans, retired military, Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs employees and spouses of active duty/veteran/retired military.

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BSN: \$200 - \$280 per credit hour for military rates; \$507 per credit hour for alumni.
MSN & Certificate: \$600-\$608 per credit hour for both military and alumni rates.
DNP: \$664 per credit hour for both military and alumni rates.
Master of Public Health: \$488 per credit hour for both military and alumni rates.
Master of Social Work: \$572 per credit hour for both military and alumni.

Additional Fees and Considerations

Besides tuition, students should be aware of other potential fees:

Application Fee: An application fee of \$95 covers the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) and one re-take. The application fee is waived for Chamberlain alumni, Ochsner Health employees, qualified military personnel (active duty, veterans, retired military, spouses and dependents), Department of Defense employees, Chamberlain Florida and Arizona campus location applicants and non-degree seeking students enrolled at Chamberlain who are applying to a matriculating program.
Background Check/Drug Screening/Fingerprinting: A non-refundable background check, fingerprint screen and drug screen fee will be charged at \$200 for campus based BSN program (\$225 for BSN Online Option). All programs are subject to additional background, fingerprint and/or drug screen clearance based on state or clinical/practicum/fieldwork site requirements. Additional fees may apply due to state Board of Nursing and clinical facility requirements; see your admission representative for additional information.
Student Activity Fee: A non-refundable student activity fee of \$15 per session is applied to students enrolled at a campus.
NCLEX® Prep Fee: One-time fee assessed upon enrollment in NR-446 Course.
Costs Subject to Change: It's important to note that all costs are subject to change each session and can vary by individual circumstances.
Travel Costs: Online Option students are responsible for their travel costs while participating in the onsite retreat. Typical costs include travel to/from Illinois, lodging and meals for two nights. Students are responsible for their travel costs while participating in immersion events and intensive review sessions as part of NR-509, NR-573 (AGACNP), NR-575 (AGACNP), NR-580 (AGPCNP), NR-667 (FNP) and NR-668 (PMHNP). Typical costs include travel to/from the designated location, lodging and meals for one to two nights for NR-509 and NR-573 and three nights for NR-575/ NR-580/NR-667/NR-668.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial aid refers to funding that students can use to pay for college and is generally awarded based on need or merit. Need-based aid is determined by your or your family’s demonstrated ability to pay for college, as calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA. Need-based self-help aid includes federal loans and work-study. Merit-based aid, also called non-need-based aid, is awarded for a specific talent or athletic or academic achievement.

Some students receive enough in scholarship money to cover their tuition and living expenses. Scholarships are a type of funding that you don’t need to pay back. Need-based scholarships take a student’s financial status into account. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students for academic or athletic achievement. You might also qualify for a scholarship based on your community service involvement, unique hobbies or traits, your personal background, or a parent’s employer or military affiliation.

Chamberlain University participates in federal loan programs, but does not award Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, or Federal Direct PLUS Loans. The institution is G.I. Bill certified and participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Student Loan Debt

How much student loan debt you accumulate can affect your financial life long after college ends. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate. At Chamberlain University, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is \$20,919. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is \$222.

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Additional Resources

As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. The net price is the average cost of the university after aid and scholarship funds are discounted from the total cost.

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