If you are comparing Walden University and Chamberlain University, the key differences come down to cost, degree-level options, DNP pathway availability, clinical hour requirements, and campus visit obligations.
Chamberlain is the better choice for most students focused on earning an MSN at a lower cost. Walden is the better option for nurses who want a direct path to a DNP and stronger clinical placement support.
Quick Take
- Choose Walden if you want BSN-to-DNP or MSN-to-DNP pathways, a streamlined no-essay admissions process, and a clinical placement pledge backed by a dedicated field placement team.
- Choose Chamberlain if you want a lower MSN cost, a shorter credit path to the MSN, and structured board-prep support built into the program.
Important difference:
- Walden’s costs shown reflect post-scholarship estimates — actual tuition before the Believe & Achieve Scholarship may be higher.
- Chamberlain’s costs are listed at standard rates.
Students should compare pre-scholarship figures when evaluating true out-of-pocket risk.
Walden vs Chamberlain: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Walden University | Chamberlain University |
|---|---|---|
| Program Options | MSN, Post-Master’s Certificate, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP | MSN, Graduate Certificate |
| Format | Fully online; local clinical placements | Fully online; two required campus visits |
| MSN Cost Per Credit | $775/quarter credit (NP specialization) | ~$735/semester credit |
| MSN Total Estimated Cost | $44,705 (63 quarter credits, after scholarship) | $34,545 (47 semester credits) |
| Certificate Total Estimated Cost | $35,225 (43 quarter credits) | $26,600 (35 semester credits) |
| DNP Pathway | Yes — BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP with PMHNP focus | DNP offered separately; PMHNP-specific DNP not confirmed |
| MSN Duration | ~2.5 years full-time | ~2.5 years full-time |
| DNP Duration | 3 years (MSN-to-DNP); 3.25 years (BSN-to-DNP) | Not confirmed for PMHNP track |
| Clinical Hours | 640 hours (MSN & certificate); 1,000 hours minimum (DNP) | 625 hours MSN (750 in Kansas); 650 certificate |
| Campus Visits Required | None | Two (immersion + final intensive) |
| Clinical Placement Support | Walden Practicum Pledge — Field Placement Team assists | Practicum Commitment® guidance team |
| Admissions Requirements | No application fee, essay, or GRE | Background check, drug screen, CPR cert required |
| Accreditation | CCNE / HLC | CCNE / HLC |
Best For Breakdown
- Best for DNP pathway: Walden
- Best for lowest MSN cost: Chamberlain
- Best for lowest certificate cost: Chamberlain
- Best for clinical placement support: Walden (Practicum Pledge)
- Best for streamlined admissions: Walden
- Best for board-prep support: Chamberlain
- Best for no campus visits: Walden
Cost Comparison
Overall, Chamberlain is the lower-cost option for both MSN and certificate students, even before factoring in Walden’s scholarship variability.
Chamberlain is less expensive at both the MSN and certificate level based on published estimates. Its MSN comes in at $34,545 versus Walden’s $44,705 — a $10,160 gap. On the certificate side, Chamberlain’s $26,600 is $8,625 less than Walden’s $35,225.
One important caveat: Walden’s figures reflect post-scholarship pricing after the Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Students who do not qualify or who lose scholarship eligibility mid-program will pay more. Chamberlain’s estimates are standard-rate figures. Compare pre-scholarship numbers directly with each school before making a cost-based decision.
Both schools use quarter credits (Walden) versus semester credits (Chamberlain), so per-credit rates are not directly comparable. Focus on total estimated cost. Chamberlain also offers transfer credit evaluation, which could further reduce out-of-pocket cost for some applicants.
Program Format and Flexibility
Walden is fully online with no required campus visits. Clinical placements are completed locally, supported by a dedicated Field Placement Team under the Walden Practicum Pledge. Chamberlain is also fully online but requires two campus visits — one immersion event and one final intensive — adding travel cost and scheduling complexity for working nurses.
PMHNP Program Options
Walden offers four distinct tracks: MSN, Post-Master’s Certificate, BSN-to-DNP, and MSN-to-DNP. Chamberlain offers two: MSN and a graduate certificate.
Walden is the only school of the two with a confirmed PMHNP-focused DNP pathway.
- BSN-prepared nurses — Chamberlain’s MSN is $10,000 cheaper; Walden offers a direct BSN-to-DNP path if doctoral preparation is the goal.
- MSN-prepared nurses — Chamberlain’s certificate is $8,625 less than Walden’s, though Walden offers an MSN-to-DNP option for nurses ready to go further.
- Nurses targeting doctoral-level practice — Walden is the clear choice, with two DNP-entry options and clinical hours carrying forward from the MSN into the doctorate.
Admissions Requirements
Walden has one of the most streamlined admissions processes in this space — no application fee, no essay, and no GRE or standardized test scores required across all four tracks.
Chamberlain requires a background check, drug screen, and CPR certification in addition to standard documentation, and sets a 3.0 GPA floor. Chamberlain does offer transfer credit evaluation, which Walden does not specifically highlight.
Clinical Placement and Student Support
Both schools publish specific clinical hour requirements, which is a meaningful advantage over programs that leave this vague.
- Walden requires 640 hours for the MSN and certificate, and a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate hours for DNP tracks (with at least 400 at the doctoral level).
- Chamberlain requires 625 hours for the MSN (750 in Kansas) and 650 hours for the certificate.
On placement support, Walden’s Practicum Pledge explicitly commits the Field Placement Team to finding a preceptor site if a student cannot secure one independently — a stronger guarantee than most programs offer. Chamberlain’s Practicum Commitment® provides guidance and support but stops short of the same explicit guarantee. Walden also uses a virtual skills lab for practicum preparation; Chamberlain offers virtual simulation labs and board-prep review sessions.
Which PMHNP Program Should You Choose?
Choose Walden if you want BSN-to-DNP or MSN-to-DNP options, a clinical placement pledge with a dedicated field team, no campus visit requirements, and a low-friction admissions process. Verify whether you qualify for the Believe & Achieve Scholarship before using published cost estimates in your planning.
Choose Chamberlain if you want a lower MSN and certificate cost at standard rates, structured board-prep support, and transparent clinical hour benchmarks. Budget for two campus visits.
Both programs are CCNE-accredited and designed for working RNs. The better choice depends on your degree goals, budget, tolerance for campus travel, and whether a DNP pathway matters now or in the future.