2026 Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Bachelor’s Degree 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for clinical nurse leader students.
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2026 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
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for clinical nurse leader in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $16,944 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Set against $16,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Stanislaus earned it the #2 place for clinical nurse leader. 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. 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. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nevada Reno earned it the #3 place for clinical nurse leader. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $20,813 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $50,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $26,250. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $75,849 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,003 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Lander University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $25,665 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Lander University earn a median of $37,548 early in their careers. Set against $25,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #7 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,012. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Augusta landed the #8 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,888, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $29,510. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of Maine At Augusta earn a median of $82,845 early in their careers. 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. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $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 placed #10 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,000. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $73,569. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $27,826 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $72,053. Set against $27,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Dakota State University came in at #12 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. 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. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Spring Hill College came in at #13 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Located in the city of Mobile, Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,500. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Goshen College placed #14 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Goshen College earn a median of $71,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
College Of Mount St Joseph placed #15 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,150. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $69,964. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Connecticut State University placed #16 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,837 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $87,795. That is a strong return on a $25,837 median debt. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of The Incarnate Word came in at #17 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. 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. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $27,574 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $51,876. That is a strong return on a $27,574 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. 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, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Pacific Lutheran University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,916 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Pacific Lutheran University generally make around $81,761. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa came in at #21 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $24,811 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $69,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi College placed #22 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,000. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $69,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
La Salle University placed #23 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. 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. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $54,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University earned the #24 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $84,859 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Otterbein University earned the #25 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,548. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. 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. Otterbein University admits about 84% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in clinical nurse leader:
Other Clinical Nurse Leader Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Clinical Nurse Leader rankings across degree levels:
View All Clinical Nurse Leader Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
