2027 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Clinical Nurse Specialist](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/clinical-nurse-specialist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for clinical nurse specialist students.
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2027 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in clinical nurse specialist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #1 spot for value among clinical nurse specialist schools in the United States. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $18,750. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $110,626. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Northwest earned it the #2 place for clinical nurse specialist. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $24,552. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $77,691. Set against $24,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $28,408. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $68,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in clinical nurse specialist will find it at Saginaw Valley State University, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,012 early in their careers. 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. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $26,542. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $80,792. Set against $26,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Worcester State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $26,849 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #7 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $25,089 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $68,945. Set against $25,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
East Carolina University came in at #8 for value in clinical nurse specialist 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, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $25,264 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $72,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Universidad Metropolitana placed #9 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Students borrow a median of $17,148 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Universidad Metropolitana generally make around $26,716. Set against $17,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #10 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $70,900 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #11 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $75,063 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas earned the #12 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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,350. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $19,065 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas generally make around $19,725. Set against $19,065 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas admits about 100% of applicants.
Regis University came in at #13 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,140. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $29,427 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $72,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #14 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $19,651 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $75,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Saint Josephs College New York ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $36,550. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $27,000. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Saint Josephs College New York earn a median of $49,214 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Josephs College New York admits about 72% of applicants.
Metropolitan State University earned the #16 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. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. 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. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo placed #17 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $78,621. That is a strong return on a $26,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #18 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $25,257. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $53,088. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Ursuline College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. 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. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $35,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Ursuline College generally make around $80,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ursuline College admits about 75% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #20 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $51,766. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Mount St Marys College placed #21 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,564. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Mount St Marys College earn a median of $58,110 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #22 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health landed the #23 spot for clinical nurse specialist value 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. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $64,158. Set against $35,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
John Dewey College University Division came in at #24 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the city of Hato Rey, John Dewey College University Division is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,180. Students borrow a median of $5,530 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $21,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of The Incarnate Word placed #25 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,574 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $51,876. That is a strong return on a $27,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for clinical nurse specialist this year:
Other Clinical Nurse Specialist Degree Levels
Explore the best-value clinical nurse specialist schools at other degree levels:
View All Clinical Nurse Specialist Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 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.
