2027 Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Schools
[Clinical Nurse Leader](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/clinical-nurse-leader/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools to find the best return on investment for clinical nurse leader students.
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. To help, we created 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.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Schools list, to help you decide. 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.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the clinical nurse leader degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Schools
California State University Stanislaus earned the #1 spot for value among clinical nurse leader schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $23,450. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. That is a strong return on a $23,450 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical nurse leader, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $50,012. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in clinical nurse leader will find it at University Of South Carolina Upstate, which ranked #3. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $26,250. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Upstate generally make around $39,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $20,813. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $117,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Maine earned it the #5 place for clinical nurse leader. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,003. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Capella University earned the #6 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,826. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $107,183. That is a strong return on a $27,826 median debt.
Andrews University came in at #7 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $31,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Maine At Augusta placed #8 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,888, while out-of-state students pay about $22,178. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $29,510. 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.
Lander University came in at #9 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Located in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $25,665. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $78,485. That is a strong return on a $25,665 median debt. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky landed the #10 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #11 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,500 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $84,487. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Goshen College placed #12 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Located in the city of Goshen, Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit university. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
La Salle University came in at #13 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $110,705 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Otterbein University earned the #14 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,548. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Pacific Lutheran University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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.
College Of Mount St Joseph placed #16 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Set in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,150. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $69,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Mount St Joseph admits about 59% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University came in at #17 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, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $25,837. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $50,876. Set against $25,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
South Dakota State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. 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.
Rowan University came in at #19 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. 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.
Northwest Christian University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Located in the city of Eugene, Northwest Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,704 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $62,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Christian University admits about 67% of applicants.
Spring Hill College placed #21 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Located in the city of Mobile, Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $24,054 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,500 ten years after entry. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa earned the #22 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,811 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $96,368 early in their careers. Set against $24,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Montana State University earned the #23 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $47,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,000. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $111,076 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Incarnate Word landed the #25 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,090. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,574. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $51,876. That is a strong return on a $27,574 median debt. University Of The Incarnate Word admits about 98% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 43 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 >
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Clinical Nurse Leader. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
