2026 Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in clinical nurse leader, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $16,944 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $16,944 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $23,450 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. Set against $23,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.

3

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical nurse leader, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $20,813 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $50,691. Set against $20,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.

4

University Of South Carolina Upstate
Spartanburg, SC

Students looking for strong value in clinical nurse leader will find it at University Of South Carolina Upstate, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $75,849 early in their careers. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.

5

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $47,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.

6

Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University came in at #6 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $25,665 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $37,548. That is a strong return on a $25,665 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

7

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #7 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $50,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

8

University Of Maine At Augusta
Augusta, ME

University Of Maine At Augusta placed #8 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, while out-of-state students pay about $22,178. Students borrow a median of $29,510 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $82,845. Set against $29,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky came in at #9 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

10

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
Fayette, MO

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #10 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $84,487. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

11

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University came in at #11 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,826. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Capella University earn a median of $107,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

13

Spring Hill College
Mobile, AL

Spring Hill College earned the #13 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the city of Mobile, Spring Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,500 ten years after entry. Spring Hill College admits about 77% of applicants.

14

Goshen College
Goshen, IN

Goshen College earned the #14 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the city of Goshen, Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $71,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

15

College Of Mount St Joseph
Cincinnati, OH

College Of Mount St Joseph landed the #15 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,150. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $28,000. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $69,964. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

16

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT

Southern Connecticut State University earned the #16 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $25,837 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $100,616. Set against $25,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of The Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX

University Of The Incarnate Word placed #17 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $37,090 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,574. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $51,876. Set against $27,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

18

Montana State University
Bozeman, MT

Montana State University placed #18 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.

19

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College landed the #19 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $24,811 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $96,368. That is a strong return on a $24,811 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.

21

Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University came in at #21 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $50,916. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Pacific Lutheran University generally make around $91,961. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.

22

Mississippi College
Clinton, MS

Mississippi College earned the #22 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,500 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $69,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

23

La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University earned the #23 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $110,705. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

24

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University landed the #24 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $25,000. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $102,156. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

25

Otterbein University
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University came in at #25 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Westerville. Students from in state pay about $35,548 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Otterbein University generally make around $45,871. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.