2026 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Master’s Degree Schools
[Clinical Nurse Specialist](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/clinical-nurse-specialist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 46 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools.
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
For return on investment in clinical nurse specialist, no school beat California State University Dominguez Hills this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #2 place for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $110,592. That is a strong return on a $28,408 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in clinical nurse specialist will find it at University Of Southern Indiana, which ranked #3. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $25,089 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $113,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,089 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Northwest earned it the #4 place for clinical nurse specialist. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,552 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $108,669. That is a strong return on a $24,552 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Worcester State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical nurse specialist, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, 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 $75,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #6 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,012. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #7 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $115,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $112,198 early in their careers. Set against $25,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #9 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. 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. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Universidad Metropolitana ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. 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. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $16,824 in student loans. 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.
Saint Josephs College New York earned the #11 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Saint Josephs College New York generally make around $49,214. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #12 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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%.
Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas placed #13 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the suburb of Mayaguez, Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,350. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $19,065. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas generally make around $85,519. That is a strong return on a $19,065 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Alverno College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $34,086. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $34,000. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $55,790. Set against $34,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,925, compared with $25,714 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,899 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $81,828. Set against $26,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #16 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $94,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,651 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Ursuline College placed #17 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $35,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton placed #18 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. 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. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health earned the #19 position 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $35,362 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State University landed the #20 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $35,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Elmhurst College came in at #21 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $25,000. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $51,232. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $15,130 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Regis University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,140. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $29,427. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $72,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
John Dewey College University Division landed the #24 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. John Dewey College University Division is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hato Rey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,180. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $5,825 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $43,520. That is a strong return on a $5,825 median debt.
Upstate Medical University came in at #25 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Upstate Medical University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,038, with out-of-state students paying around $19,878. Students borrow a median of $24,064 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $76,828. That is a strong return on a $24,064 median debt.
Rest of the Top 35 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), 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 11 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.
