2027 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools
[Clinical Nurse Specialist](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/clinical-nurse-specialist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 specialist students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist School for You
The right clinical nurse specialist school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the clinical nurse specialist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools
Leading the list is California State University Dominguez Hills, our #1 best value for clinical nurse specialist in the United States. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $119,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Northwest one of the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $24,552. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $93,180. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical nurse specialist, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $28,408. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $89,364. That is a strong return on a $28,408 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in clinical nurse specialist will find it at Saginaw Valley State University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $50,012. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern State University earned it the #5 place for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $26,542. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $80,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #6 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,089 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $91,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Worcester State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $26,849. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $45,297. That is a strong return on a $26,849 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #8 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $25,264 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $96,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Metropolitana ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $16,824. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Universidad Metropolitana earn a median of $26,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #10 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $84,850. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #11 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $86,743. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #12 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $95,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas earned the #13 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mayaguez. In-state tuition and fees average $8,350. Students borrow a median of $19,065 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas generally make around $52,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Regis University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,140. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $29,427 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $72,028. Set against $29,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Saint Josephs College New York placed #15 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,550. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $49,214. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Josephs College New York admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #16 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $19,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $85,026. Set against $19,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Metropolitan State University earned the #17 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Students borrow a median of $35,762 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $54,195. That is a strong return on a $35,762 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University At Buffalo placed #18 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $110,839 early in their careers. Set against $26,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,257 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $53,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Ursuline College came in at #20 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Set in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,990. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Ursuline College earn a median of $80,267 early in their careers. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Mount St Marys College came in at #21 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,564. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $25,167. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Mount St Marys College generally make around $58,110. Set against $25,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount St Marys College admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton placed #22 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $23,750. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $51,766. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #23 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $15,130 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Set against $15,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
John Dewey College University Division ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Located in the city of Hato Rey, John Dewey College University Division is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,180. Students borrow a median of $5,825 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of John Dewey College University Division earn a median of $26,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health came in at #25 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,934. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $35,362. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health earn a median of $64,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,362 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s clinical nurse specialist value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.
