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2026 Best Clinical Nurse Leader Master’s Degree Schools

14 Colleges in the United States
374 Clinical Nurse Leader Degrees Awarded
$107,548 Avg Early-Career Salary

Clinical Nurse Leader degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for clinical nurse leader students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Clinical Nurse Leader in the United States

See the highest-ranked clinical nurse leader schools offering a master’s degree below.

Top Schools in Clinical Nurse Leader

1

Leading the list is Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science, our #1 school for clinical nurse leader. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Los Angeles. About 30% of students finish within six years. Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science awarded about 53 clinical nurse leader degrees in the most recent data year. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science earn a median of $127,454 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,250. Get the full clinical nurse leader details for Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science

2
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in clinical nurse leader, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 clinical nurse leader students who graduated with this degree at Rowan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical nurse leader program make about $119,453 in their early career. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full clinical nurse leader program report for Rowan University

3

University Of San Diego is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in clinical nurse leader, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 clinical nurse leader students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $113,492. Typical student debt for the program is $23,795. More information about a degree in clinical nurse leader from University Of San Diego

4

University Of Rochester is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in clinical nurse leader, ranking #4. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Rochester awarded about 15 clinical nurse leader degrees in the most recent data year. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $104,483 early in their careers. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full clinical nurse leader program report for University Of Rochester

5
Curry College crest
Curry College
Milton, MA

Curry College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best clinical nurse leader schools. Located in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 clinical nurse leader students who graduated with this degree at Curry College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Curry College generally make around $113,490. Curry College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full clinical nurse leader details for Curry College

6
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University earned the #6 position for clinical nurse leader this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. About 20% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 170 clinical nurse leader students who graduated with this degree at Capella University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical nurse leader degree from Capella University earn around $106,264 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,826 to complete this degree. See the full clinical nurse leader program report for Capella University

7
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University placed #7 among the best clinical nurse leader schools. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Xavier University graduates 68% of students within six years. Xavier University awarded about 10 clinical nurse leader degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical nurse leader degree from Xavier University earn around $86,558 in the first couple years of their career. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full clinical nurse leader program report for Xavier University

8

Pacific Lutheran University landed the #8 spot for clinical nurse leader this year. Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Pacific Lutheran University awarded about 31 clinical nurse leader degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical nurse leader program make about $89,189 in their early career. Pacific Lutheran University graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Get the full clinical nurse leader details for Pacific Lutheran University

Other Clinical Nurse Leader Degree Levels

Explore the best clinical nurse leader schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Clinical Nurse Leader
Associate's Degrees in Clinical Nurse Leader
Bachelor's Degrees in Clinical Nurse Leader
View All Clinical Nurse Leader Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 44 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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