2026 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools
[Clinical Nurse Specialist](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/clinical-nurse-specialist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for clinical nurse specialist students.
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Finding the Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist School for You
The clinical nurse specialist program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created 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
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 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
Our analysis ranked California State University Dominguez Hills the best value for a degree in clinical nurse specialist in the United States. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Northwest one of the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $24,552 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $93,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in clinical nurse specialist will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #3. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $28,408. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $89,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern Indiana one of the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. 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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $26,542. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $80,792. That is a strong return on a $26,542 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Worcester State University landed the #6 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $26,849. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $75,249. That is a strong return on a $26,849 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #7 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University landed the #8 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $25,264 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $96,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Universidad Metropolitana earned the #9 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,824 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Universidad Metropolitana earn a median of $26,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,824 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #10 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,561. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #11 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $13,426. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #12 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College New York ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,550 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Saint Josephs College New York generally make around $49,214. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas earned the #14 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Set in the suburb of Mayaguez, Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,350 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $19,065 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $52,622. Set against $19,065 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Alverno College came in at #15 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $34,000. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $55,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,257 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #17 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,651 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. 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 University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University At Buffalo ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $26,117. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Ursuline College earned the #19 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $38,990. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $35,000. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $80,267. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Metropolitan State University earned the #20 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $35,762. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $54,195. That is a strong return on a $35,762 median debt. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #21 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,766. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health landed the #22 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,934 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $35,362. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health generally make around $64,158. Set against $35,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of The Incarnate Word came in at #23 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $51,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Incarnate Word admits about 98% of applicants.
Elmhurst College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $15,130. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Set against $15,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in clinical nurse specialist:
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Clinical Nurse Specialist is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
