2026 Best Value Clinical Nurse Specialist Schools

1

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Dominguez Hills the best value for a degree in clinical nurse specialist in the United States. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

2

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Northwest one of the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $24,552 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $93,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

3

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Students looking for strong value in clinical nurse specialist will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #3. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $28,408. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $89,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

4

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern Indiana one of the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $25,089 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $91,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

5

Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $26,542. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $80,792. That is a strong return on a $26,542 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.

6

Worcester State University
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University landed the #6 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $26,849. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $75,249. That is a strong return on a $26,849 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.

7

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #7 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $50,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

8

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University landed the #8 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $25,264 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $96,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

9

Universidad Metropolitana
San Juan, PR

Universidad Metropolitana earned the #9 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,824 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of Universidad Metropolitana earn a median of $26,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,824 median debt.

10

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #10 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,561. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

11

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #11 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $13,426. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

12

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #12 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $95,228. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

13

Saint Josephs College New York
Brooklyn, NY

Saint Josephs College New York ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,550 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Saint Josephs College New York generally make around $49,214. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

14

Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas
Mayaguez, PR

Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas earned the #14 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Set in the suburb of Mayaguez, Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,350 in tuition and fees. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $19,065 in student loans. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $52,622. Set against $19,065 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

15

Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI

Alverno College came in at #15 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $34,000. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $55,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alverno College admits about 86% of applicants.

16

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,257 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.

17

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #17 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,651 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $85,026. Set against $19,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

18

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $26,117. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.

19

Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, OH

Ursuline College earned the #19 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Set in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,990. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $35,000. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $80,267. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

20

Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University earned the #20 position for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $35,762. Early-career clinical nurse specialist graduates make about $54,195. That is a strong return on a $35,762 median debt. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.

21

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton came in at #21 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,766. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.

22

Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health
Omaha, NE

Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health landed the #22 spot for clinical nurse specialist value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,934 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $35,362. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health generally make around $64,158. Set against $35,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health admits about 73% of applicants.

23

University Of The Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX

University Of The Incarnate Word came in at #23 for value in clinical nurse specialist this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $51,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Incarnate Word admits about 98% of applicants.

24

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical nurse specialist schools. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the clinical nurse specialist program here. Soon after graduation, clinical nurse specialist degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for clinical nurse specialist. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for clinical nurse specialist graduates is $15,130. Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Set against $15,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.