Clinical Nurse Leader: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Clinical Nurse Leader programs equip registered nurses with the advanced knowledge and leadership skills needed to enhance patient outcomes within complex healthcare environments. Graduates are prepared to lead interdisciplinary teams in delivering high-quality, evidence-based care across diverse clinical settings.
- Pharmacology: Explores the mechanisms, uses, and effects of medications, enabling precise and safe medication management in patient care.
- Pathophysiology: Focuses on the biological and physiological changes underlying disease processes, providing a foundation for accurate clinical decision-making.
- Epidemiology: Examines patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in populations, supporting proactive and data-driven care strategies.
- Research in Nursing Methods: Develops expertise in evaluating and applying scientific research to improve clinical practices and patient outcomes.
- Advanced Health Assessment: Builds proficiency in conducting comprehensive patient evaluations using advanced diagnostic techniques and clinical reasoning.
- Statistics: Equips learners with analytical tools to interpret healthcare data, assess treatment effectiveness, and support evidence-based interventions.
- Clinical Practice Management: Addresses the organizational and operational aspects of delivering care, including quality improvement, resource allocation, and team coordination.
Clinical Nurse Leader Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Clinical Nurse Leader Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Clinical Nurse Leader degrees, including Nurse Practitioners, Medical and Health Services Managers and Registered Nurses. 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 4,229,490 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 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers 11-9111 | $117,960 | $69,680 - $219,080 | 565,840 | $56.71 |
| 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 Leader Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $85,865 in Arkansas to $135,613 in California—a 58% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Hawaii, and Oregon. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 4,229,490 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 Leader by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 24 institutions offering Clinical Nurse Leader 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 Leader is found at Capella University (171 graduates), Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) (53 graduates), Rowan University (41 graduates), University of San Diego (USD) (37 graduates), and Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) (31 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 434 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capella University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
171 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) |
Master's
|
53 | Los Angeles, California | Private | cdrewu.edu |
| Rowan University |
Master's
|
41 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| University of San Diego (USD) |
Master's
|
37 | San Diego, California | Private | sandiego.edu |
| Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) |
Master's
|
31 | Tacoma, Washington | Private | plu.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
19 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Curry College |
Master's
|
17 | Milton, Massachusetts | Private | curry.edu |
| Xavier University (XU) |
Master's
|
10 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | xavier.edu |
| University of Maine (UMA) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Augusta, Maine | Public | uma.edu |
| The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) |
Master's
|
9 | Galveston, Texas | Public | utmb.edu |
| Mississippi College (MC) |
Master's
|
5 | Clinton, Mississippi | Private | mc.edu |
| Central Methodist University (CGES) |
Master's
|
4 | Fayette, Missouri | Private | centralmethodist.edu |
| Chamberlain University |
Post-Master's
|
4 | Addison, Illinois | Private | chamberlain.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Master's
|
3 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Morningside University |
Master's
|
3 | Sioux City, Iowa | Private | morningside.edu |
| Queens University of Charlotte |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Private | queens.edu |
| Bushnell University |
Master's
|
3 | Eugene, Oregon | Private | bushnell.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Master's
|
3 | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Public | uscupstate.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Master's
|
2 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| Moravian University |
Master's
|
2 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | moravian.edu |
| Sentara College of Health Sciences |
Master's
|
2 | Chesapeake, Virginia | Private | sentara.edu |
| Spring Hill College (SHC) |
Master's
|
1 | Mobile, Alabama | Private | shc.edu |
| Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) |
Master's
|
1 | New Haven, Connecticut | Public | southernct.edu |
| La Salle University |
Master's
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Clinical Nurse Leader programs
How much can I earn with a Clinical Nurse Leader degree?
Salaries for Clinical Nurse Leader graduates vary by role and location. Nurse Practitioners earn a median of $129,210 annually, while Medical and Health Services Managers earn around $117,960. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $135,613 compared to $85,865 in Arkansas. Approximately 4,229,490 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 Leader programs?
Currently 24 accredited institutions offer Clinical Nurse Leader degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Capella University (171 graduates), Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) (53 graduates), and Rowan University (41 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 Leader growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 195 in 2010 to 434 in 2023-24. This represents a 123% 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 Leader degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Nurse Practitioners, Medical and Health Services Managers, and Registered Nurses. Related occupations employ approximately 4,229,490 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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