Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Chamberlain University-California
Bachelor's Degree
chamberlain.eduAnalysis
This Chamberlain University nursing program delivers strong national earnings but falls short of California's exceptional nursing market standards. Graduates earn $83,188 in their first year—ranking in the 80th percentile nationally but only the 25th percentile among California nursing programs, where the state median is $100,588. The program costs significantly more than typical nursing education, with $39,146 in median debt compared to California's $25,000 median.
The financial picture reveals a concerning pattern: earnings actually decline slightly by year four, and graduates earn roughly $17,000 less annually than the typical California nursing graduate. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 isn't catastrophic, you're paying premium tuition for below-average state outcomes. Top California programs like Sonoma State and CSU-East Bay produce graduates earning $40,000+ more annually with lower debt loads.
For California families, this represents poor value. Your child would likely achieve better financial outcomes at a California State University nursing program, which offers lower tuition and stronger earning potential. Unless geographic constraints make Chamberlain your only option, state universities provide a much better return on investment in California's high-paying nursing market.
Where Chamberlain University-California Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Chamberlain University-California graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain University-California | $83,188 | $81,995 | -1% |
| California State University-East Bay | $124,392 | $139,795 | +12% |
| Samuel Merritt University | $119,486 | $135,557 | +13% |
| Dominican University of California | $97,762 | $132,781 | +36% |
| San Francisco State University | $117,532 | $132,542 | +13% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (65 total in state)
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chamberlain University-CaliforniaRancho Cordova | $20,462 | $83,188 | $81,995 | $39,146 | 0.47 |
 Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park | $8,190 | $125,646 | $124,083 | $19,750 | 0.16 |
 California State University-East BayHayward | $7,055 | $124,392 | $139,795 | $18,875 | 0.15 |
 Samuel Merritt UniversityOakland | — | $119,486 | $135,557 | $25,000 | 0.21 |
 California State University-StanislausTurlock | $7,826 | $119,356 | $111,925 | $23,450 | 0.20 |
 Pacific Union CollegeAngwin | $35,214 | $119,258 | $112,642 | $31,000 | 0.26 |
| National Median | — | $74,888 | — | $27,000 | 0.36 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Chamberlain University-California, approximately 32% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 10218 graduates with reported earnings and 12380 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.