Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Chamberlain University-Virginia
Bachelor's Degree
chamberlain.eduAnalysis
Chamberlain's nursing program delivers strong earnings that outpace national averages, but comes with a premium price tag that's worth scrutinizing. Graduates earn $83,188 in their first year—ranking in the 80th percentile nationally and well above the national median of $74,888. However, the program sits at only the 60th percentile within Virginia, meaning there are stronger options in-state.
The debt picture tells an important story. At $39,146, student debt is significantly higher than both national ($27,000) and Virginia ($27,457) medians for nursing programs, ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of nursing programs nationwide have lower debt loads. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 is manageable but not exceptional. More concerning is the slight earnings decline (-1%) from year one to year four, suggesting limited growth potential compared to other nursing programs where earnings typically increase.
Given Virginia's competitive nursing landscape, this program represents a questionable value proposition. Several in-state alternatives like Shenandoah University ($81,678 earnings) likely offer similar outcomes with lower debt burdens. With a 100% admission rate and 44% of students receiving Pell grants, Chamberlain appears to serve students who may have limited alternatives, but families should carefully compare total costs against Virginia's public nursing programs before committing to this premium-priced option.
Where Chamberlain University-Virginia Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Chamberlain University-Virginia 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-Virginia | $83,188 | $81,995 | -1% |
| ECPI University | $77,550 | $81,440 | +5% |
| Marymount University | $80,090 | $78,648 | -2% |
| South University-Richmond | $77,635 | $78,626 | +1% |
| South University-Virginia Beach | $77,635 | $78,626 | +1% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (35 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chamberlain University-VirginiaVienna | $20,462 | $83,188 | $81,995 | $39,146 | 0.47 |
 Shenandoah UniversityWinchester | $36,028 | $81,678 | $70,543 | $29,749 | 0.36 |
 Strayer University-VirginiaArlington | $13,920 | $81,061 | — | $34,040 | 0.42 |
 Centra CollegeLynchburg | $12,263 | $80,832 | — | $15,185 | 0.19 |
 Marymount UniversityArlington | $39,050 | $80,090 | $78,648 | $29,166 | 0.36 |
 George Mason UniversityFairfax | $13,815 | $78,365 | $78,115 | $22,750 | 0.29 |
| National Median | — | $74,888 | — | $27,000 | 0.36 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
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-Virginia, approximately 44% 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.