Understanding Chamberlain University's Master of Social Work Program Tuition Costs

For individuals passionate about making a difference and driving social change, a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree can be a significant step toward a fulfilling career. Chamberlain University offers an online MSW program designed to empower students to become agents of social change in their communities and beyond. Understanding the tuition costs associated with this program is crucial for prospective students. Costs vary by student depending on individual circumstances. 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.

Chamberlain University: A Brief Overview

Chamberlain University is a private school focused on nursing and healthcare. and also offers programs online. Chamberlain University is a private university and has been a part of nursing education for more than 125 years. Its main campus is located in Addison, Illinois. The university also has additional campuses across the United States. It began in 1889 as the Deaconess School of Nursing, following Florence Nightingale's model of care. In 2005, the school became part of Adtalem Global Education and was renamed Chamberlain. Chamberlain partners with over 11,000 healthcare sites, giving students access to clinical experience and career opportunities. Programs are designed to meet real-world healthcare needs, with flexible schedules and hands-on training. The school has a high acceptance rate of 89%, making it accessible to many students. Over the years, more than 177,000 students, alumni, and faculty have been part of the Chamberlain community.

Master of Social Work Program at Chamberlain

Chamberlain’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program aims to develop and empower students to be agents of social change in their communities and beyond. In Chamberlain's online MSW program, you’ll work with dedicated student services advisors who help you stay on track in your studies, while experiential learning coordinators guide your practicum journey. Chamberlain offers traditional and advanced standing options for students: The traditional program is for students who are new to the field of social work, and the advanced standing program is for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work. No matter which option you enroll in, Chamberlain offers three tracks so that you can prepare for the career you want. Choose from Crisis and Response Interventions, Trauma, and Medical Social Work.

Program Options

Chamberlain offers traditional and advanced standing options for students:

Traditional Option: The Traditional option is for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree.
Advanced Standing Option: The advanced standing program is for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Chamberlain University MSW Tuition & Expenses

Understanding the costs associated with the Master of Social Work program at Chamberlain University is crucial for prospective students. Several factors contribute to the overall cost, including tuition, fees, and additional expenses.

Read also: Chamberlain University Costs

Tuition Costs

Effective January 2026, the tuition for the Master of Social Work program is \$715 per credit hour. It is important to note that costs are subject to change each session and may vary by individual circumstances.

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, students should be aware of the following fees:

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

Military and Alumni Rates

Chamberlain University offers a reduced tuition rate for military personnel and alumni. Effective January 2026, the military* and alumni rate is \$572 per credit hour.

*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.

Cost Example

For example, if a student takes 30 credit hours in the Master of Social Work program, the tuition cost would be \$715 per credit hour.

Read also: Accessing Chamberlain Resources

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Chamberlain University offers various financial aid options, including federal aid and scholarships, to assist students in funding their education.

Types of Aid Available

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.

Scholarships

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. Some students receive enough in scholarship money to cover their tuition and living expenses.

Here are a few scholarships open to international students:

Certified Caregivers Scholarship: \$300/session (up to \$3,000) for new or readmitted BSN students with caregiver certification (e.g., CNA, EMT).
Community Grant: 10% tuition savings (up to \$2,537) for MPH or Public Health Generalist certificate students who enroll in at least one course.
DAISY Honoree Scholarship: 5% tuition savings for post-licensure or graduate students who received a DAISY Award.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Grant: 20% tuition savings for new or readmitted students in the DNP program.
MSN Curriculum Advantage Grant: 50% tuition + APRN fee for 2-4 sessions for former MSN students who were inactive for 6+ sessions and have returned.
Nursing Excellence Grant: \$320/student service fee per session for new or readmitted DNP students who are eligible for the Alumni Tuition Rate.
RN Career Advancement Grant: 17-25% tuition savings (up to \$7,818) for RN-BSN, RN-BSN to MSN, or Accelerated RN-MSN students who are new/readmitted and eligible by the state.
Social Impact Grant: 10% tuition savings (up to \$3,336) for MSW students enrolling in at least one course. New or readmitted only.
Stay for Summer Grant: \$500/session (up to \$1,000) for RN-BSN, MSN, MSW, MPH, or DNP students enrolled in summer sessions with 3+ credit hours.
Become Extraordinary Grant: 15% tuition savings (up to \$5,292) for MSN-NP and non-clinical MSN/graduate certificate students who are new or readmitted.
Complete with Purpose Grant: \$300/session for 3 sessions (up to \$900) for RN-BSN, MSN, or DNP students 3-5 sessions out from last enrollment and have ≤18 credits remaining.
AmberScholar Scholarship: Over \$33,000 total, open to students from 220+ countries, awarded based on originality and clarity of the Statement of Purpose.

Student Loan Debt

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.

Read also: Programming Chamberlain Openers

Online Learning Benefits

Online learning has become a practical option for people who want to earn a degree. Accredited online universities can enable adult learners to further their education and develop their career skills by earning a bachelor’s, master’s or even doctoral degree online. The biggest advantage of online learning is flexibility. You aren’t tied to a rigid schedule of campus-based classes. Instead, you can complete your coursework during your lunch hour or after work, over the weekend, early in the morning or late at night - whichever suits you best. This allows you to continue working while you’re learning and earning a degree. You can connect to your online courses with a Wi-Fi connection, so you can complete classes from home, from your office after hours, on the road, on vacation or from virtually anywhere in the world. By choosing an accredited online institution for your degree, you could save time. After all, you won’t have to commute to a campus, search for parking, or find your classroom. You’ll immediately access your course information on your own schedule. Professors and faculty members from across the country and even around the globe teach classes for online universities. Learning from a diverse array of educators, who each bring their unique experiences to the classroom, may broaden your perspective and likely enhance your ability to work with a diverse population of clients as a social worker.

Career Opportunities and Salary Expectations

With a master's degree in social work, you can pursue a career as a licensed master social worker (LMSW) or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). MSW graduates can expect a host of career opportunities in areas such as schools, hospitals, law enforcement, or state agencies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), average annual social worker salaries can range from \$36,520 to \$82,840, with a median wage of \$50,390.

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