Best institutions to study Clinical Nurse Specialist
A program that prepares registered nurses to deliver direct patient and client care in clinical settings.
22 U.S. institutions graduated 135 Clinical Nurse Specialist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3813, a specialization of Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38), and leads most directly to the Registered Nurses occupation (BLS SOC 29-1141).
About Clinical Nurse Specialist programs
A program that prepares registered nurses to deliver direct patient and client care in clinical settings. Includes instruction in clinical pharmacotherapeutics, advanced clinical practice, holistic nursing, nursing practice and health care policy, administration and consultation services, health assessment, patient stabilization and care, and patient education.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Clinical Nurse Specialist program prepares registered nurses to provide advanced patient care in clinical settings. This program focuses on enhancing nursing practice through comprehensive instruction in areas such as clinical pharmacotherapeutics, holistic nursing, and health care policy. It is designed for those seeking to deepen their expertise and improve patient outcomes.
Students in this program acquire essential skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework includes advanced clinical practice, health assessment, and patient education, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to excel in various healthcare environments.
Credentials awarded
What Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree72 graduates / yr · 9 institutions53%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice32 graduates / yr · 4 institutions24%
- Bachelor's degree13 graduates / yr · 1 institution9.6%
- Post-master's certificate10 graduates / yr · 5 institutions7.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions3.7%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.2%
Graduates over time
Clinical Nurse Specialist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 368 |
| 2013 | 366 |
| 2014 | 477 |
| 2015 | 416 |
| 2016 | 464 |
| 2017 | 552 |
| 2018 | 460 |
| 2019 | 428 |
| 2020 | 384 |
| 2021 | 419 |
| 2022 | 344 |
| 2023 | 292 |
| 2024 | 321 |
| 2025 | 135 |
Top 22 institutions for Clinical Nurse Specialist, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Morris University Moon Township, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 22 | 66% | $24,175 | $67,518 |
| 2 | Dewey University - Hato Rey Hato Rey, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 54% | $5,184 | $21,237 |
| 3 | Jacksonville University Jacksonville, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | 51% | $25,813 | $78,924 |
| 4 | LeTourneau University Longview, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 59% | $24,186 | $77,117 |
| 5 | University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 11 | 67% | $16,109 | $75,063 |
| 6 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicMaster's | 7 | 54% | — | $68,136 |
| 7 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 88% | $29,023 | $111,360 |
| 8 | University of Southern Indiana Evansville, INPublicMaster's | 6 | 48% | — | $68,945 |
| 9 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicMaster's | 6 | 89% | — | $75,095 |
| 10 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 5 | 85% | — | $72,251 |
| 11 | Universidad Adventista de las Antillas Mayaguez, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 36% | $9,579 | $19,725 |
| 12 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | — | — | $98,610 |
| 13 | St. John Fisher University Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 74% | $25,213 | $73,333 |
| 14 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TXPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 4 | 86% | $25,823 | $77,808 |
| 15 | California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CAPublicMaster's | 2 | 43% | — | $110,626 |
| 16 | Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OKPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 35% | — | $80,792 |
| 17 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 73% | $33,454 | $76,869 |
| 18 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 1 | 75% | — | $78,621 |
| 19 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicMaster's | 1 | 63% | — | $72,051 |
| 20 | DeSales University Center Valley, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | 72% | $26,990 | $79,460 |
| 21 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicMaster's | 1 | 49% | — | $70,900 |
| 22 | Purdue University Northwest Hammond, INPublicMaster's | 1 | 43% | — | $77,691 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Registered Nursing field (CIP 51.38) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 12 states & territories
Where Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates come from. Each state links to all Registered Nursing programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 28 | Robert Morris University22 / yr |
| Texas | 3 | 23 | LeTourneau University13 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 2 | 21 | Dewey University - Hato Rey16 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 15 | Jacksonville University15 / yr |
| Indiana | 3 | 14 | Indiana University - Indianapolis7 / yr |
| New York | 3 | 12 | New York University7 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 11 | University of Detroit Mercy11 / yr |
| California | 2 | 6 | Loma Linda University4 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 2 | Northeastern State University2 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | Loyola University Chicago1 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 1 | East Carolina University1 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1141, Registered Nurses, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Clinical Nurse Specialist program can pursue careers as Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, or Nursing Instructors. The job outlook for registered nurses is positive, with an expected growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 189,100 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $93,600, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3813
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Registered Nursesprimary SOC 29-1141 | $97,550 | +4.9% About as fast as average | ~189,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Nurse Practitioners SOC 29-1171 | $132,300 | +40.1% Much faster than average | ~29,500 | Master's degree |
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1072 | $80,250 | +16.8% Much faster than average | ~8,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Clinical Nurse Specialist programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
Tools and technology used
Other Registered Nursing specializations
The 22 other 6-digit CIP codes under Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38).
- Registered Nursing/CIP 51.3801
Registered Nurse 263,325 graduates / yr2,067 institutions - Family Practice Nurse/CIP 51.3805
Nursing 14,703 graduates / yr293 institutions - Nursing PracticeCIP 51.38189,384 graduates / yr322 institutions
- Nursing AdministrationCIP 51.38027,804 graduates / yr198 institutions
- Psychiatric/CIP 51.3810
Mental Health Nurse/ Nursing 5,358 graduates / yr179 institutions - Nursing ScienceCIP 51.38084,605 graduates / yr148 institutions
- Registered NursingCIP 51.38993,940 graduates / yr99 institutions
- Nurse AnesthetistCIP 51.38042,183 graduates / yr72 institutions
- Adult Health Nurse/CIP 51.3803
Nursing 2,125 graduates / yr75 institutions - Public Health/CIP 51.3811
Community Nurse/ Nursing 934 graduates / yr21 institutions - Geriatric Nurse/CIP 51.3821
Nursing 680 graduates / yr43 institutions - Clinical Nurse LeaderCIP 51.3820588 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Nurse Midwife/CIP 51.3807
Nursing Midwifery 530 graduates / yr22 institutions - Critical Care NursingCIP 51.3814505 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Pediatric Nurse/CIP 51.3809
Nursing 389 graduates / yr36 institutions - Women's Health Nurse/CIP 51.3822
Nursing 350 graduates / yr15 institutions - Perioperative/CIP 51.3812
Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/ Nursing 150 graduates / yr10 institutions - Maternal/CIP 51.3806
Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/ Nursing 149 graduates / yr14 institutions - Emergency Room/CIP 51.3816
Trauma Nursing partial data83 graduates / yr9 institutions - Forensic NursingCIP 51.3824partial data26 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Occupational and Environmental Health NursingCIP 51.3815partial data21 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Palliative Care NursingCIP 51.3819partial data19 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Doctor's degree - professional practice, Bachelor's degree, or a Post-master's certificate.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 22 colleges offering the Clinical Nurse Specialist program in the U.S.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, speaking, and monitoring.
What is the job outlook for Clinical Nurse Specialists?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.9% and 189,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Clinical Nurse Specialist?+
Clinical Nurse Specialist is CIP 51.3813 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares registered nurses to deliver direct patient and client care in clinical settings. Includes instruction in clinical pharmacotherapeutics, advanced clinical practice, holistic nursing, nursing practice and health care policy, administration and consultation services, health assessment, patient stabilization and care, and patient education.
How many institutions offer Clinical Nurse Specialist programs?+
22 U.S. institutions reported Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 12 states & territories, awarding 135 credentials in the year. That is 0.0% of all Registered Nursing graduates.
How much do Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Registered Nurses occupation, which Clinical Nurse Specialist most directly leads to, pays a median of $97,550 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Registered Nursing field report median earnings of $76,869 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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