2027 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Master’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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong clinical nurse specialist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools.
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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
For return on investment in clinical nurse specialist, no school beat California State University Dominguez Hills this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $128,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Northwest earned it the #2 place 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 $108,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. 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 $110,592 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,408 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Indiana earned it the #4 place for clinical nurse specialist. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $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. 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 Worcester State University one of the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Students borrow a median of $26,849 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $45,297 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #6 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
East Carolina University placed #7 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,264 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $112,198. That is a strong return on a $25,264 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #8 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $115,393 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
Universidad Metropolitana ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Set in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,824 median debt.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #10 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #11 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $27,000. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $84,882 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Regis University placed #12 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,140. Students borrow a median of $29,427 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. 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. Regis University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center landed the #13 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,925, compared with $25,714 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $26,899 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center generally make around $81,828. Set against $26,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Josephs College New York came in at #14 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. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #15 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. 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. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $94,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Ursuline College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pepper Pike. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Ursuline College admits about 75% of applicants.
Metropolitan State University placed #17 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. 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. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $35,762. 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%.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #18 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, 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. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #19 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. 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%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #20 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, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,130 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $69,126. Set against $15,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
John Dewey College University Division placed #21 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. John Dewey College University Division is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hato Rey. In-state tuition and fees average $8,180. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $5,825 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from John Dewey College University Division generally make around $43,520. Set against $5,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health landed the #22 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,934 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $35,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Alverno College earned the #23 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $34,000 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $55,790. That is a strong return on a $34,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Robert Morris University earned the #24 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,770. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Robert Morris University generally make around $84,361. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Molloy College earned the #25 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,790 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $65,544. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s clinical nurse specialist value ranking:
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
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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
