2026 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Clinical Nurse Specialist](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/clinical-nurse-specialist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong clinical nurse specialist education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for clinical nurse specialist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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 tops our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools in the United States. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in clinical nurse specialist will find it at Purdue University Northwest, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Students borrow a median of $24,552 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $77,691 early in their careers. Set against $24,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $28,408 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $68,136 early in their careers. Set against $28,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical nurse specialist, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $25,089 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $68,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Northeastern State University one of the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, 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 placed #6 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, 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 $75,249. That is a strong return on a $26,849 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $50,012. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Universidad Metropolitana earned the #8 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. 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. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $17,148. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Universidad Metropolitana generally make around $26,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Carolina University earned the #9 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. 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 $72,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #10 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $46,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #11 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. 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.
Saint Josephs College New York placed #12 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,550. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Saint Josephs College New York generally make around $49,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas landed the #13 spot for clinical nurse specialist value 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. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $19,065. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $19,725. Set against $19,065 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #14 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #15 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $19,651. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $75,095. That is a strong return on a $19,651 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Alverno College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,086. Students borrow a median of $34,000 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Alverno College earn a median of $55,790 early in their careers. Set against $34,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.
University At Buffalo ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $26,117. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. That is a strong return on a $26,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Ursuline College came in at #18 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,990. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $35,000. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Ursuline College generally make around $80,267. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State University placed #19 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $35,762 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $54,195. That is a strong return on a $35,762 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton landed the #20 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $23,750. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $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 #21 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. In-state tuition and fees average $18,934. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $35,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health generally make around $64,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of The Incarnate Word landed the #22 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,090 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,574 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $51,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Elmhurst College ranked #23 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. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. 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. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #24 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, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $15,130 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $69,126. Set against $15,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Regis University placed #25 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. 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. Set against $29,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regis University admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in clinical nurse specialist:
Other Clinical Nurse Specialist Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Clinical Nurse Specialist rankings across degree levels:
View All Clinical Nurse Specialist Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
