2027 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 3 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 The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in clinical nurse specialist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools
Metropolitan State University tops our 2027 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $35,762 in student loans. 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%.
Students looking for strong value in clinical nurse specialist will find it at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #2. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $25,257. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $53,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health earned it the #3 place for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,934. Students borrow a median of $35,362 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health earn a median of $64,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,362 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
