2026 Best Value Clinical Nurse Leader Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among clinical nurse leader schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $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. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $23,450 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $46,807. That is a strong return on a $23,450 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

Students looking for strong value in clinical nurse leader will find it at University Of Southern Maine, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $47,003. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

4

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 #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $20,813 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $50,691. Set against $20,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

5

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saginaw Valley State University earned it the #5 place for clinical nurse leader. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,012. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

6

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University placed #6 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

7

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University earned the #7 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $27,826 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $106,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

College Of Mount St Joseph
Cincinnati, OH

College Of Mount St Joseph landed the #8 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,150. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $69,964. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

9

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT

Southern Connecticut State University came in at #9 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $25,837 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $113,436. That is a strong return on a $25,837 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

10

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College placed #10 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. 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. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.

11

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #11 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

12

Sentara College Of Health Sciences
Chesapeake, VA

Sentara College Of Health Sciences ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse leader schools. Sentara College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chesapeake. In-state tuition and fees average $2,840. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $29,250. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Sentara College Of Health Sciences generally make around $76,356. That is a strong return on a $29,250 median debt.

13

La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University earned the #13 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. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,000. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $137,009 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

14

Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University placed #14 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,916 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $89,189 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

15

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University earned the #15 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $119,453. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

16

Otterbein University
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University landed the #16 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Set in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,548. 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.

17

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Durham, NH

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #17 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $96,636. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

18

The University Of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, TX

The University Of Texas Medical Branch landed the #18 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Set in the city of Galveston, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,402, while out-of-state students pay about $28,011. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $20,500. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $116,723. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Morningside College
Sioux City, IA

Morningside College landed the #19 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,519. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Morningside College generally make around $99,854. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morningside College admits about 71% of applicants.

20

Edgewood College
Madison, WI

Edgewood College placed #20 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Edgewood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,860. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse leader degree recipients from Edgewood College generally make around $56,578. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Edgewood College admits about 76% of applicants.

21

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois
Addison, IL

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois placed #21 among the best values for clinical nurse leader. Set in the suburb of Addison, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,536. Typical student debt for clinical nurse leader graduates is $39,146. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earn a median of $104,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $39,146 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

22

Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science
Los Angeles, CA

Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science came in at #22 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Set in the suburb of Los Angeles, Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science earn a median of $127,454 early in their careers. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science admits about 39% of applicants.

23

Queens University Of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

Queens University Of Charlotte earned the #23 position for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,846. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $31,757 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $93,594. That is a strong return on a $31,757 median debt. Queens University Of Charlotte admits about 62% of applicants.

24

Curry College
Milton, MA

Curry College came in at #24 for value in clinical nurse leader this year. Located in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,570. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical nurse leader program here. Early-career clinical nurse leader graduates make about $113,490. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Curry College admits about 88% of applicants.

25

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
Bethlehem, PA

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary landed the #25 spot for clinical nurse leader value this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates of Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn a median of $118,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.