2027 Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Master’s Degree Schools
[Clinical Nurse Leader](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/clinical-nurse-leader/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value clinical nurse leader schools.
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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 Saginaw Valley State University this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $28,000. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $50,012. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Southern Maine one of the best values for clinical nurse leader. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $47,003. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Nevada Reno one of the best values for clinical nurse leader. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $20,813 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $116,392. That is a strong return on a $20,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Capella University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical nurse leader, landing the #4 spot 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. Students borrow a median of $27,826 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Capella University earn a median of $106,264 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at La Salle University earned it the #5 place for clinical nurse leader. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $137,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
College Of Mount St Joseph ranked #6 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. College Of Mount St Joseph admits about 59% of applicants.
Pacific Lutheran University landed the #7 spot for clinical nurse leader value 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. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Pacific Lutheran University generally make around $89,189. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rowan University landed the #8 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, 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 $119,453. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #9 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $25,837 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.
South Dakota State University landed the #10 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, 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 $96,368. Set against $24,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Medical Branch landed the #12 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Set in the city of Galveston, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,402, compared with $28,011 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $116,723. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt.
Sentara College Of Health Sciences earned the #13 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Sentara College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chesapeake. Students from in state pay about $2,840 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Sentara College Of Health Sciences earn a median of $76,356 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,250 median debt.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #14 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,000. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $96,636. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Elmhurst College placed #15 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Edgewood College earned the #16 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the city of Madison, Edgewood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,860. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,000. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $73,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Gwynedd Mercy College placed #17 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,838. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $35,500 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $82,372. Set against $35,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gwynedd Mercy College admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Rochester came in at #18 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $31,000. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $104,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Curry College placed #19 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Set in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,570 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Curry College generally make around $113,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of San Diego earned the #20 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $113,492 early in their careers. Set against $23,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earned the #21 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $118,958. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary admits about 54% of applicants.
Queens University Of Charlotte landed the #22 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,846. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $31,757 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $59,654. That is a strong return on a $31,757 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Morningside College earned the #23 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,519. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $99,854. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois came in at #24 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Located in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,536. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $39,146. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $104,394. That is a strong return on a $39,146 median debt. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois admits about 83% of applicants.
Xavier University landed the #25 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,425. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $55,045. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Xavier University admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s clinical nurse leader value ranking:
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 ranking is produced 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
