2026 Best Clinical Nurse Specialist Colleges for Veterans
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking to study clinical nurse specialist, you’ve come to the right place. The list below highlights 17 programs that stand out for veteran clinical nurse specialist students, using our 2026 methodology.
This ranking is based on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits (including GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon support), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed colleges nationwide, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Want to compare schools head to head? Check out our College Combat to build custom comparisons on the factors you care about most.
Top 16 Best Clinical Nurse Specialist Colleges for Veterans
Learn more about these veteran-friendly clinical nurse specialist colleges below:
Our analysis ranked Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health the #1 college for veteran and military-affiliated students pursuing a degree in clinical nurse specialist. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health scores 86.2 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
More about the clinical nurse specialist program at Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Veteran students seeking a strong clinical nurse specialist program will find one at Molloy University, which ranked #2. The school's overall veterans score is 78.6 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 71.7, alongside a 33.3 veteran-support score.
More about the clinical nurse specialist program at Molloy University
Veteran students seeking a strong clinical nurse specialist program will find one at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #3. The school's overall veterans score is 78.2 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score.
Read more about clinical nurse specialist at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
A rank of #4 makes The University of Texas at Austin one of the top clinical nurse specialist colleges for veteran students. The University of Texas at Austin scores 76.8 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score.
More about the clinical nurse specialist program at The University of Texas at Austin
St. John Fisher University is a great choice for veterans pursuing clinical nurse specialist, landing the #5 spot this year. St. John Fisher University scores 76.7 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 68.4, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score.
Read more about clinical nurse specialist at St. John Fisher University
ADBLOCK #101
DeSales University placed #6 among the best clinical nurse specialist colleges for veterans. It scores 74.3 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 60.5, and veteran resources 66.7.
More about the clinical nurse specialist program at DeSales University
Texas Christian University came in at #7 for veteran clinical nurse specialist students this year. It scores 74.2 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 47.4, and veteran resources 66.7.
Read more about clinical nurse specialist at Texas Christian University
Worcester State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best clinical nurse specialist colleges for veterans. It scores 73.9 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
More about the clinical nurse specialist program at Worcester State University
Indiana University-Indianapolis came in at #9 for veteran clinical nurse specialist students this year. Indiana University-Indianapolis scores 73.3 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score.
More about the clinical nurse specialist program at Indiana University-Indianapolis
Robert Morris University came in at #10 for veteran clinical nurse specialist students this year. Robert Morris University scores 72.3 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 77.6, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score.
See the full clinical nurse specialist report for Robert Morris University
Loma Linda University came in at #16 for veteran clinical nurse specialist students this year. It scores 39.7 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students.
See the full clinical nurse specialist report for Loma Linda University
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
We measure this ranking on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students studying clinical nurse specialist: affordability and veteran financial benefits (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
These rankings are produced by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
