About Chamberlain University · Chicago
Chamberlain University is a private, for-profit healthcare and nursing university headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and a subsidiary of Adtalem Global Education (formerly DeVry Education Group). It operates more than 20 campus locations across 15 U.S. states and offers online degree programs, anchored by its nationally recognized Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Chamberlain's roots trace back to the 19th-century Deaconess nursing tradition in St. Louis, Missouri; the school was purchased by DeVry in 2005 and renamed after the Middle English word "chaumberlein," meaning chief steward. The institution is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with its nursing programs additionally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Chamberlain University has grown from its 1943 founding as the Deaconess School of Nursing into one of the largest nursing schools in the United States, serving roughly 34,700 students as of Fall 2018 across more than 20 campuses and an extensive online division. The university's mission is to educate, empower, and embolden healthcare professionals who advance the health of people, families, communities, and nations. Chamberlain comprises a College of Nursing — offering a three-year BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, and graduate certificates — and a College of Health Professions that delivers a Master of Physician Assistant Studies, a Master of Public Health, and a Master of Social Work. In March 2005, DeVry Inc. (now Adtalem Global Education) acquired the Deaconess institution; the name "Chamberlain" was chosen to honor the nurse's role as chief steward and coordinator of patient care. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers classes in 8-week sessions. In 2013, Chamberlain entered an educational partnership with Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) to provide tuition benefits to nurses across CHI's 75+ hospital system, marking its most prominent institutional Catholic engagement.
- In business
- Founded 1943 as Deaconess School of Nursing; renamed Chamberlain in 2005 (over 80 years of nursing education heritage)
- Owner
- Owned by Adtalem Global Education, Inc. (NYSE: ATGE; formerly DeVry Education Group). Originally founded as the Deaconess School of Nursing by the Evangelical Deaconess Society of St. Louis in 1943.
- Serves
- National — 20+ campus locations across 15 U.S. states (Addison, Chicago, Tinley Park, Troy, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, North Brunswick, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Tysons Corner, St. Louis, Charlotte, Atlanta, Miramar, Phoenix, Irving, Houston, Jacksonville, San Antonio, New Orleans, Pearland, etc.) plus nationwide online programs
- Rating
- Niche: 4.14/5 (915 reviews); GradReports: 60% would recommend (591 reviews); U.S. News: 2.0/5 (4 general reviews)
History and Heritage
Chamberlain University traces its roots to the 19th-century European Deaconess tradition that shaped modern nursing. Florence Nightingale studied at a Deaconess facility in Germany, and in 1889 an evangelical pastor in St. Louis, Missouri, proposed establishing healthcare services based on the Deaconess model for the local community — services that evolved into the Deaconess School of Nursing (founded 1943) and later Deaconess College of Nursing. In March 2005, DeVry Inc. (now Adtalem Global Education) acquired Deaconess; the acquisition required a name change, and "Chamberlain" — from the Middle English "chaumberlein," meaning chief steward — was chosen to honor the nurse's role as central steward and coordinator of patient care. The institution has since been renamed Chamberlain University to reflect its expanded scope beyond nursing.
- 1889 — Deaconess healthcare services established in St. Louis
- 1943 — Deaconess School of Nursing founded
- 1997 — Forest Park Hospital (successor to Deaconess Central Hospital) sold to Tenet Healthcare
- 2005 — DeVry Inc. acquires Deaconess; school renamed Chamberlain
- Renamed Chamberlain University reflecting broader healthcare degree portfolio
Ownership and Corporate Structure
Chamberlain University, LLC operates as a subsidiary of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), formerly DeVry Education Group. Chamberlain University LLC is registered with the U.S. System for Award Management (SAM) as a corporate, for-profit educational institution. The university's national management offices are co-located with Covista at 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago. Adtalem's broader portfolio includes Walden University, Ross University School of Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, and American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine.
- Subsidiary of Adtalem Global Education, Inc. (NYSE: ATGE)
- Registered legal entity: Chamberlain University LLC (SAM UEI DEB5DLG1LT65)
- Business classification: Private for-profit university/college
College of Nursing Programs
The College of Nursing is Chamberlain's flagship, marketing itself as the largest pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in the country. Students can pursue the BSN on campus or in a hybrid format at 20+ locations, or complete the BSN fully online (in approved states). Chamberlain's RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN, and accelerated options are designed for working nurses with no mandatory login times and 100% online coursework.
- 3-Year BSN (campus, hybrid, or online)
- BSN Online Option
- RN to BSN Online Option
- RN to MSN / RN-BSN to MSN with 9 specialty tracks
- Accelerated RN-MSN Option (including AI track)
- Accelerated MSN Option
Graduate Nursing and Doctoral Programs
Chamberlain's graduate nursing offerings include the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and a suite of post-baccalaureate and graduate certificates. Specialty tracks prepare nurses for clinical practice as Family, Adult-Gerontology (Primary or Acute Care), and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, as well as non-clinical roles in education, informatics, executive leadership, healthcare policy, and population health.
- MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN — Adult-Gerontology NP (Primary Care and Acute Care)
- MSN — Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN — Nurse Educator, Nurse Executive, Nursing Informatics, Healthcare Policy, Population Health
- DNP with Healthcare Systems Leadership, Educational Leadership, or Advanced Practice Leadership focus
- Graduate Certificates: FNP, Nursing Education, Healthcare Policy, Nursing Informatics, Nursing Leadership, Leadership Foundations
College of Health Professions
Beyond nursing, Chamberlain's College of Health Professions extends the university into allied-health graduate education. These programs share Chamberlain's 8-week course format and online flexibility.
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)
- Master of Public Health (MPH) — CEPH accredited for 5 years
- Master of Social Work (MSW) — CSWE Candidacy for Accreditation
Accreditation and State Approvals
Chamberlain University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a U.S. Department of Education–recognized regional accreditor. Its BSN, MSN, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs hold additional accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the DNP delivered via distance education is accredited by the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA). The MPH program is CEPH-accredited; the MSW program has achieved CSWE Candidacy. Chamberlain is approved to operate in dozens of states (a full list is published on chamberlain.edu/stateapprovals) and is authorized by the Illinois Board of Higher Education and Virginia Board of Nursing.
- Higher Learning Commission (institutional)
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (BSN, MSN, DNP, APRN certificates)
- NLN CNEA (DNP via distance education)
- CEPH (MPH)
- CSWE Candidacy (MSW)
Campus Locations
Chamberlain operates more than 20 campus locations across 15 states, offering the BSN on-site with hands-on labs and clinical coordination. The Addison, Illinois campus is identified as the university's main campus; other sites span major metropolitan areas from coast to coast.
- Addison, IL (main campus)
- Chicago, IL
- Tinley Park, IL
- Troy, MI
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- North Brunswick, NJ
- Sacramento, CA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Tysons Corner, VA
- St. Louis, MO
- Charlotte, NC
- Atlanta, GA
- Miramar, FL
- Jacksonville, FL
- Phoenix, AZ
- Houston, TX
- Irving, TX
- San Antonio, TX
- Pearland, TX
- New Orleans, LA
Catholic Health Initiatives Partnership (2013)
On May 7, 2013, Chamberlain College of Nursing and Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) — then the nation's second-largest faith-based health system, operating 78 hospitals across 17 states — announced an education program giving CHI nurses a partner tuition rate for Chamberlain's post-licensure online programs (RN-to-BSN, RN-BSN-to-MSN, MSN, DNP, and graduate certificates), plus a waived application fee and a dedicated admissions representative. The partnership was designed to expand educational access for nurses at CHI's diverse clinical sites, from major regional medical centers to rural critical access hospitals. Chamberlain quoted CHI vice president Patrick Patton saying "Professional development and education advancement are integral parts of our system's culture."
- Partner tuition rate for CHI nurses
- Waived Chamberlain application fee
- Covered programs: RN-to-BSN, RN-BSN-to-MSN, MSN, DNP, graduate certificates
- Coverage spanned CHI's 75+ hospitals in 17 states
Contact and Admissions
Prospective students can reach Chamberlain Admissions through the Request More Information form on chamberlain.edu or by calling the toll-free number 877.751.5783. Current students contact support through the My Chamberlain student portal or 888.556.8226.
- National Headquarters: 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606
- Main Campus: 1221 North Swift Road, Addison, IL 60101
- Toll-Free Admissions: 877.751.5783
- Current Students: 888.556.8226
- Admissions email: [email protected]
Reputation and Reviews
Independent review platforms reflect a mixed picture. Niche aggregates 915 reviews at 4.14/5, while GradReports shows 60% of 591 students would recommend Chamberlain. U.S. News user reviews average 2.0/5 across a small sample. Common themes in alumni feedback include appreciation for online flexibility and the Chamberlain 'culture of care,' alongside concerns about tuition cost, withdrawal fees, and clinical placement support.
- Niche: 4.14/5 (915 reviews)
- GradReports: 60% would recommend (591 reviews, $20,815 annual tuition cited)
- U.S. News: 2.0/5 (4 general reviews)
- Highlighted 'culture of care' and 8-week course format in marketing