2026 Best Clinical Nurse Specialist Master’s Degree Schools
Clinical Nurse Specialist programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 46 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best clinical nurse specialist schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Clinical Nurse Specialist in the United States
See the highest-ranked clinical nurse specialist schools offering a master’s degree below.
Top Schools in Clinical Nurse Specialist
Our analysis ranked New York University the best school in the country for a degree in clinical nurse specialist. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. New York University awarded about 10 clinical nurse specialist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical nurse specialist degree from New York University earn around $141,353 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the clinical nurse specialist program at New York University
University Of San Francisco is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in clinical nurse specialist, ranking #2. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. University Of San Francisco awarded about 140 clinical nurse specialist degrees in the most recent data year. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $125,983 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the clinical nurse specialist program at University Of San Francisco
Worcester State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best clinical nurse specialist schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. Worcester State University awarded about 26 clinical nurse specialist degrees in the most recent data year. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $75,249 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,849 to complete this degree.
Get the full clinical nurse specialist details for Worcester State University
Jacksonville University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in clinical nurse specialist, ranking #4. 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 18 clinical nurse specialist degrees in the most recent data year. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Jacksonville University earn a median of $98,285 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in clinical nurse specialist from Jacksonville University
Robert Morris University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best clinical nurse specialist schools. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 24 clinical nurse specialist degrees were awarded at Robert Morris University in the most recent year. Graduates of the clinical nurse specialist program make about $84,361 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in clinical nurse specialist from Robert Morris University
Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best clinical nurse specialist schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Mayaguez. About 36% of students finish within six years. Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas awarded about 11 clinical nurse specialist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical nurse specialist program make about $85,519 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,065 to complete this degree.
See the full clinical nurse specialist program report for Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas
Other Clinical Nurse Specialist Degree Levels
Explore the best 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 a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 46 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
