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Affordable Alternatives to Chamberlain University-California

Open-data reference.

We found 15 schools structurally similar to Chamberlain University-California that cost less. 15 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Chamberlain University-California

Rancho Cordova, California · Private For-Profit

$36,559
Net Price
$92,405
Median Earnings (10yr)
80.0%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Graduation Rate

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Chamberlain University-California

Chamberlain University-California posts an average net price of $36,559 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with Chamberlain University-California across six dimensions — ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, graduate earnings, and completion rate. 15 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $20,410, achieved by Chamberlain University-Indiana at $16,149. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 15 of the 15 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Chamberlain University-California’s $92,405, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $94,820.

The similarity scoring treats enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector as high-weight features because those structural attributes correlate most strongly with student experience and post-graduation outcomes in the College Scorecard literature. Admission rate and graduation rate enter as secondary features, while net price drives the cost-ranking that determines which institutions appear. Net price is an IPEDS-reported figure calculated as the average cost of attendance minus institutional and federal grants for first-time, full-time undergraduates receiving Title IV aid — so it already accounts for the aid a typical admitted student would receive. That makes it a more honest cost comparison than sticker-price tuition alone.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

15
Alternatives Found
$20,410
Max Savings
15
Better Value Options
92%
Best Match

Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings

Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 5 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Top 5 1. Chamberlain University-Nevad $92k 2. Chamberlain University-Michi $92k 3. Chamberlain University-Flori $92k 4. Chamberlain University-Illin $92k 5. Chamberlain University-Virgi $92k Compared to Chamberlain University-California: $92k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · 2024 (latest release) Median 10-year earnings reflect federal-aid recipients only; net price reflects sticker price minus average grants/scholarships.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
Chamberlain University-Nevada
Las Vegas, NV · Private For-Profit Better Value
$27,073 -$9,486 $92,405 N/A 92%
Chamberlain University-Michigan
Troy, MI · Private For-Profit Better Value
$28,045 -$8,514 $92,405 N/A 88%
Chamberlain University-Florida
Jacksonville, FL · Private For-Profit Better Value
$31,269 -$5,290 $92,405 N/A 85%
Chamberlain University-Illinois
Addison, IL · Private For-Profit Better Value
$31,837 -$4,722 $92,405 45.5% 80%
Chamberlain University-Virginia
Vienna, VA · Private For-Profit Better Value
$33,199 -$3,360 $92,405 N/A 80%
Chamberlain University-Texas
Houston, TX · Private For-Profit Better Value
$32,209 -$4,350 $92,405 N/A 79%
Chamberlain University-Ohio
Columbus, OH · Private For-Profit Better Value
$31,544 -$5,015 $92,405 29.3% 75%
West Coast University-Miami
Doral, FL · Private For-Profit Better Value
$32,539 -$4,020 $102,672 N/A 74%
Chamberlain University-Georgia
Sandy Springs, GA · Private For-Profit Better Value
$33,188 -$3,371 $92,405 N/A 71%
Chamberlain University-Missouri
St. Louis, MO · Private For-Profit Better Value
$30,716 -$5,843 $92,405 N/A 67%
Chamberlain University-Indiana
Indianapolis, IN · Private For-Profit Better Value
$16,149 -$20,410 $92,405 N/A 67%
West Coast University-Orange County
Anaheim, CA · Private For-Profit Better Value
$32,879 -$3,680 $102,672 61.3% 65%
West Coast University-Texas
Richardson, TX · Private For-Profit Better Value
$25,992 -$10,567 $102,672 N/A 65%
Chamberlain University-Louisiana
Jefferson, LA · Private For-Profit Better Value
$30,791 -$5,768 $92,405 N/A 61%
Neumont College of Computer Science
Salt Lake City, UT · Private For-Profit Better Value
$35,205 -$1,354 $97,827 59.2% 56%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, graduate earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than Chamberlain University-California are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to Chamberlain University-California?
We found 15 schools similar to Chamberlain University-California that cost less. The closest match is Chamberlain University-Nevada with 92% similarity and a net price of $27,073.
What is the ROI of attending Chamberlain University-California?
Chamberlain University-California has an average net price of $36,559. Graduates earn a median of $92,405 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 2.5x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Chamberlain University-California for less money?
Yes — 15 of 15 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. Chamberlain University-Nevada costs $27,073 (saving $9,486) with median earnings of $92,405.
What is the cheapest alternative to Chamberlain University-California?
The most affordable similar school is Chamberlain University-Indiana at $16,149, saving $20,410 compared to Chamberlain University-California. It has a 67% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 15 alternatives have an average median earnings of $94,820 compared to Chamberlain University-California's $92,405. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary — check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.