Clinical Nurse Specialist: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are advanced practice nurses who provide expert, evidence-based care in specialized clinical settings. This program equips registered nurses with the knowledge and skills to lead in patient care, clinical decision-making, and system-level improvements within complex healthcare environments.
- Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics: Advanced study of medication therapies, including drug mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and tailored treatment plans for specific patient populations.
- Advanced Clinical Practice: Mastery of complex diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, enabling independent and collaborative care delivery in high-acuity or specialty settings.
- Holistic Nursing: A patient-centered approach that integrates physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of care to support overall well-being.
- Nursing Practice and Health Care Policy: Exploration of regulatory frameworks, ethical considerations, and policy development that influence nursing practice and healthcare access.
- Administration and Consultation Services: Training in leadership, resource management, and advisory roles that guide clinical teams and improve organizational outcomes.
- Health Assessment: In-depth instruction in comprehensive physical, psychological, and functional evaluations to inform accurate diagnoses and care planning.
- Patient Stabilization and Care: Expertise in managing acute and critical conditions, implementing rapid interventions, and ensuring continuity of safe, effective treatment.
- Patient Education: Development of strategies to empower individuals and families with knowledge for self-management, prevention, and adherence to treatment plans.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Clinical Nurse Specialist Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Clinical Nurse Specialist degrees, including Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses and Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 3,663,650 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners 29-1171 | $129,210 | $97,960 - $169,950 | 307,390 | $62.12 |
| Registered Nurses 29-1141 | $93,600 | $66,030 - $135,320 | 3,282,010 | $45.00 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1072 | $79,940 | $47,950 - $130,040 | 74,250 | N/A |
Clinical Nurse Specialist Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $85,040 in Arkansas to $135,317 in California—a 59% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Oregon, and Hawaii. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 3,663,650 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Clinical Nurse Specialist by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 23 institutions offering Clinical Nurse Specialist programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Clinical Nurse Specialist is found at University of San Francisco (USF) (140 graduates), Worcester State University (WSU) (26 graduates), Robert Morris University (RMU) (24 graduates), Jacksonville University (JU) (18 graduates), and University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) (14 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 321 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of San Francisco (USF) |
Master's
|
140 | San Francisco, California | Private | usfca.edu |
| Worcester State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
26 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Public | worcester.edu |
| Robert Morris University (RMU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
24 | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | Private | rmu.edu |
| Jacksonville University (JU) |
Master's
|
18 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | ju.edu |
| University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
14 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | udmercy.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
12 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Universidad Adventista de las Antillas (UAA) |
Master's
|
11 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Private | uaa.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
10 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OUHSC) |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Professional)
|
9 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | ouhsc.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Master's
|
9 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| LeTourneau University (LETU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Longview, Texas | Private | letu.edu |
| Dewey University |
Master's
|
7 | Hato Rey, Puerto Rico | Private | dewey.edu |
| University of Southern Indiana (USI) |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
6 | Evansville, Indiana | Public | usi.edu |
| Molloy College |
Master's
|
4 | Rockville Centre, New York | Private | molloy.edu |
| St. John Fisher University |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
4 | Rochester, New York | Private | sjf.edu |
| DeSales University |
Master's
|
4 | Center Valley, Pennsylvania | Private | desales.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
3 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| Purdue University Northwest (PNW) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Hammond, Indiana | Public | pnw.edu |
| Loma Linda University (LLU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Loma Linda, California | Private | llu.edu |
| Mount Saint Mary's University (MSMU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
2 | Los Angeles, California | Private | msmu.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| Northeastern State University (NSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Tahlequah, Oklahoma | Public | nsuok.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
1 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Clinical Nurse Specialist programs
How much can I earn with a Clinical Nurse Specialist degree?
Salaries for Clinical Nurse Specialist graduates vary by role and location. Nurse Practitioners earn a median of $129,210 annually, while Registered Nurses earn around $93,600. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $135,317 compared to $85,040 in Arkansas. Approximately 3,663,650 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Clinical Nurse Specialist programs?
Currently 23 accredited institutions offer Clinical Nurse Specialist degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of San Francisco (USF) (140 graduates), Worcester State University (WSU) (26 graduates), and Robert Morris University (RMU) (24 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Clinical Nurse Specialist growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 263 in 2010 to a peak of 384 in 2020, before declining slightly to 321 in 2023-24. This represents a 22% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Clinical Nurse Specialist degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, and Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 3,663,650 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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