2027 Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Clinical Nurse Leader](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/clinical-nurse-leader/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong clinical nurse leader education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value clinical nurse leader schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 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 California State University Stanislaus this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $23,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. Set against $23,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Saginaw Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical nurse leader, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,012. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical nurse leader, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, 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 $85,733. That is a strong return on a $20,813 median debt. 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,588, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $39,473 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
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. 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. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University placed #6 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,826. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Capella University earn a median of $72,053 early in their careers. Set against $27,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Students borrow a median of $31,500 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $62,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Augusta came in at #8 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,888, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $29,510 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $82,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lander University earned the #9 position 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. 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. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky placed #10 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. 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 ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. 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. Students from in state pay about $7,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,000. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $73,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies admits about 88% of applicants.
Goshen College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Goshen. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,000. 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 landed the #13 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $84,400. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Otterbein University earned the #14 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,548. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $45,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Pacific Lutheran University earned the #15 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. 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. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.
College Of Mount St Joseph ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. 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. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $28,000. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $69,964. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #17 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $25,837. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Set against $25,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
South Dakota State University earned the #18 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 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 South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Rowan University came in at #19 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $84,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Christian University came in at #20 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the city of Eugene, Northwest Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,800. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $28,704 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Northwest Christian University generally make around $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 landed the #21 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mobile. Students from in state pay about $24,054 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $51,500 ten years out. Spring Hill College admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Iowa ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $24,811. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $69,368. That is a strong return on a $24,811 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #23 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. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $77,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Montana State University landed the #24 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. 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. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of The Incarnate Word ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,090. Students borrow a median of $27,574 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $51,876 early in their careers. 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 42 Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for clinical nurse leader this year:
Other Clinical Nurse Leader Degree Levels
Explore the best-value clinical nurse leader schools at other degree levels:
View All Clinical Nurse Leader Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
