2026 Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Schools
[Clinical Nurse Leader](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/clinical-nurse-leader/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value clinical nurse leader schools.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader School for You
The clinical nurse leader program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2026 Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in clinical nurse leader, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Schools
For return on investment in clinical nurse leader, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $16,944 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $23,450 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. Set against $23,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Reno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical nurse leader, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $20,813 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $50,691. Set against $20,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in clinical nurse leader will find it at University Of South Carolina Upstate, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $75,849 early in their careers. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Lander University came in at #6 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $25,665 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $37,548. That is a strong return on a $25,665 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #7 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $50,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Maine At Augusta placed #8 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, while out-of-state students pay about $22,178. Students borrow a median of $29,510 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $82,845. Set against $29,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Kentucky came in at #9 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #10 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $84,487. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Capella University came in at #11 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,826. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Capella University earn a median of $107,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Dakota State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Spring Hill College earned the #13 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the city of Mobile, Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,500 ten years after entry. Spring Hill College admits about 77% of applicants.
Goshen College earned the #14 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the city of Goshen, Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $71,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Mount St Joseph landed the #15 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,150. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $28,000. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $69,964. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #16 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $25,837 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $100,616. Set against $25,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Incarnate Word placed #17 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $37,090 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,574. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $51,876. Set against $27,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University placed #18 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Elmhurst College landed the #19 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $24,811 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $96,368. That is a strong return on a $24,811 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Pacific Lutheran University came in at #21 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $50,916. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Pacific Lutheran University generally make around $91,961. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.
Mississippi College earned the #22 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,500 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $69,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
La Salle University earned the #23 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $110,705. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Rowan University landed the #24 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $25,000. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $102,156. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Otterbein University came in at #25 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Westerville. Students from in state pay about $35,548 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Otterbein University generally make around $45,871. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in clinical nurse leader:
Narrow Clinical Nurse Leader Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Clinical Nurse Leader is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
