Clinical Nurse Specialist programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their clinical nurse specialist programs.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best clinical nurse specialist schools.
The school you choose for clinical nurse specialist can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Clinical Nurse Specialist in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the clinical nurse specialist degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than University Of Detroit Mercy this year for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Detroit Mercy awarded about 11 clinical nurse specialist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical nurse specialist program make about $95,228 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000.
Get the full clinical nurse specialist details for University Of Detroit Mercy
A rank of #2 makes Jacksonville University one of the top schools for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Jacksonville University awarded about 15 clinical nurse specialist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Jacksonville University generally make around $97,066. Jacksonville University graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans.
Get the full clinical nurse specialist details for Jacksonville University
Robert Morris University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in clinical nurse specialist, ranking #3. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Moon Township. Robert Morris University graduates 66% of students within six years. About 22 clinical nurse specialist degrees were awarded at Robert Morris University in the most recent year. Graduates of the clinical nurse specialist program make about $85,290 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full clinical nurse specialist program report for Robert Morris University
Letourneau University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best clinical nurse specialist schools. Set in the city of Longview, Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. Letourneau University awarded about 13 clinical nurse specialist degrees in the most recent data year. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Letourneau University earn a median of $77,117 early in their careers. Letourneau University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full clinical nurse specialist program report for Letourneau University
John Dewey College University Division is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in clinical nurse specialist, ranking #5. Located in the city of Hato Rey, John Dewey College University Division is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 clinical nurse specialist students who graduated with this degree at John Dewey College University Division in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical nurse specialist program make about $26,223 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,825.
More information about a degree in clinical nurse specialist from John Dewey College University Division
Clinical Nurse Specialist Related Rankings by Major
Clinical Nurse Specialist is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 5 schools evaluated.
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).
