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Best Nursing Schools in Colorado: Programs, Tuition & How to Apply

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

March 21, 2026

Explore Colorado's 20 nursing programs—from affordable community colleges to prestigious universities. Compare tuition, graduation rates, and earning potential to find your ideal nursing school.

Nursing Education in Colorado: Your Complete Overview

Colorado offers aspiring nurses 20 distinct pathways to licensure, spanning community colleges, public universities, and private institutions. Whether you're seeking an affordable Associate's degree or a graduate-level credential, Colorado's nursing programs serve diverse students across the state—from Denver's urban centers to rural communities in Trinidad and Sterling.

The nursing profession in Colorado is experiencing steady growth. Registered nurses represent one of the state's largest healthcare workforces, and Colorado's cost of living and quality of life make it an attractive destination for nursing careers. Understanding your options—and the real costs and outcomes associated with each program—is essential before committing to your nursing education.

This guide breaks down Colorado's nursing schools by type, highlights graduation rates and earnings data, and helps you identify the program that aligns with your budget, timeline, and career goals.

Top University Nursing Programs in Colorado

University of Northern Colorado (Greeley)

Program Type: Bachelor's and Doctoral Degrees
Tuition: $12,010/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 86.4%
Graduation Rate: 51.6%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $108,582/year (Doctoral Degree)
Enrollment: 5,693

University of Northern Colorado stands out with Colorado's highest graduation rate among four-year universities at 51.6%. The program emphasizes research and advanced practice, with graduates earning over $108,000 annually for doctoral-level credentials. UNC's location in Greeley provides access to diverse clinical settings and a supportive university community.

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (Denver)

Program Type: Bachelor's and Graduate Certificates
Tuition: $10,017/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 77.8%
Graduation Rate: 45.6%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $113,409/year (Graduate Certificate)
Enrollment: 10,686

Located on Colorado's premier medical campus, CU Denver offers unmatched clinical exposure and networking opportunities. The Anschutz Medical Campus houses multiple hospitals, research centers, and specialty clinics. Graduate certificate holders earn $113,409 annually—among the highest in Colorado. Competitive acceptance (77.8%) reflects program prestige.

Regis University (Denver)

Program Type: Bachelor's and Doctoral Degrees
Tuition: $43,980/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 87.3%
Graduation Rate: 63.8%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $89,606/year (Doctoral Degree)
Enrollment: 2,599

Regis University boasts Colorado's highest graduation rate at 63.8%, indicating strong student support systems and program effectiveness. As a private nonprofit institution, Regis emphasizes values-based education and small class sizes. The higher tuition investment correlates with superior completion rates. Doctoral graduates earn $89,606 annually.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs)

Program Type: Bachelor's and Master's Degrees
Tuition: $9,712/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 96.6%
Graduation Rate: 43.9%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $103,568/year (Master's Degree)
Enrollment: 8,870

UCCS offers accessible admission (96.6% acceptance) with competitive earnings potential. Master's degree graduates earn $103,568 annually. The program serves Colorado Springs' growing healthcare sector and provides opportunities for both traditional and accelerated pathways.

Colorado Mesa University (Grand Junction)

Program Type: Bachelor's Degree
Tuition: $9,712/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 81.4%
Graduation Rate: 40.3%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $63,677/year (Bachelor's Degree)
Enrollment: 7,604

CMU serves western Colorado with reasonable tuition and moderate selectivity. The location provides clinical experience in a growing healthcare market. Bachelor's graduates earn $63,677 annually.

Colorado State University Pueblo (Pueblo)

Program Type: Bachelor's and Master's Degrees
Tuition: $9,401/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 99.8%
Graduation Rate: 36.4%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $105,115/year (Master's Degree)
Enrollment: 3,028

CSU Pueblo offers nearly open admission (99.8% acceptance rate), making it accessible to career-changers and non-traditional students. Master's degree holders earn $105,115 annually. The program serves south-central Colorado's healthcare needs.

Metropolitan State University of Denver (Denver)

Program Type: Bachelor's Degree
Tuition: $10,780/year (in-state)
Acceptance Rate: 99.1%
Graduation Rate: 29.5%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $64,216/year (Bachelor's Degree)
Enrollment: 14,932

Metro State Denver offers maximum accessibility with 99.1% acceptance and moderate tuition. With Colorado's largest nursing enrollment (14,932 students), the program provides extensive resources. However, the 29.5% graduation rate suggests students should anticipate extended timelines or seek additional academic support.

Adams State University (Alamosa)

Program Type: Bachelor's Degree
Tuition: $9,776/year (in-state)
Graduation Rate: 29.7%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $63,845/year (Bachelor's Degree)
Enrollment: 1,239

Adams State serves south-central Colorado with affordable tuition and personalized education in a small-enrollment program (1,239 students). Bachelor's graduates earn $63,845 annually.

Colorado Christian University (Lakewood)

Program Type: Bachelor's Degree
Tuition: $39,266/year (in-state)
Graduation Rate: 58.1%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $67,100/year (Bachelor's Degree)
Enrollment: 5,363

CCU's private nonprofit model emphasizes faith-based education with strong graduation outcomes (58.1%). The higher tuition reflects smaller classes and robust student services. Bachelor's graduates earn $67,100 annually.

Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs)

Program Type: Master's Degree
Tuition: $12,760/year (in-state)
Graduation Rate: 18.6%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $137,341/year (Master's Degree)
Enrollment: 25,932

CTU offers the highest nursing graduate earnings ($137,341/year) for master's degree holders, but the 18.6% graduation rate is concerning. This for-profit institution serves primarily working professionals; prospective students should carefully evaluate support services before enrolling.

Denver College of Nursing (Denver)

Program Type: Master's Degree
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $94,554/year (Master's Degree)
Enrollment: 949

Denver College of Nursing specializes in graduate-level nursing education for practicing nurses seeking advancement. Master's graduates earn $94,554 annually.

Community College Nursing Programs: The Affordable ADN Path

Colorado's community colleges provide the most affordable entry into nursing education through Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs. At $2,700–$5,582 annually, these programs cost 50–80% less than four-year universities while maintaining strong clinical training and NCLEX pass rates.

Most Affordable Programs

Colorado Mountain College (Glenwood Springs)
Tuition: $2,700/year (in-state) — Colorado's lowest
Graduation Rate: 26.5%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $67,405/year (Associate's Degree)

Morgan Community College (Fort Morgan)
Tuition: $4,127/year (in-state)
Graduation Rate: 40.8%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $61,186/year (Associate's Degree)

Pikes Peak State College (Colorado Springs)
Tuition: $4,302/year (in-state)
Graduation Rate: 23.0%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $60,401/year (Associate's Degree)

Front Range Community College (Westminster)
Tuition: $4,740/year (in-state)
Graduation Rate: 28.6%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $57,931/year (Associate's Degree)
Enrollment: 11,132

Strong Graduation Outcomes

Trinidad State College (Trinidad)
Tuition: $4,468/year (in-state)
Graduation Rate: 53.3% — Colorado's highest among community colleges
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $57,078/year (Associate's Degree)

Pueblo Community College (Pueblo)
Tuition: $4,883/year (in-state)
Graduation Rate: 31.7%
Nursing Graduate Earnings: $67,768/year (Associate's Degree)

Additional Community College Options

Arapahoe Community College (Littleton): $4,308/year, 26.7% graduation rate, $61,578 earnings
Otero College (La Junta): $4,418/year, $68,085 earnings
Northeastern Junior College (Sterling): $5,582/year, $68,853 earnings

Community College Advantage: An ADN from a Colorado community college costs $13,500–$22,000 total (two years), compared to $40,000–$88,000 for a bachelor's degree. Many graduates earn $57,000–$68,000 annually, and ADN holders can pursue RN-to-BSN programs at universities to advance their careers.

How to Choose the Right Nursing Program

Consider Your Timeline

Fast track: Accelerated BSN programs (12–16 months) for bachelor's degree holders
Traditional: 4-year bachelor's programs (full-time)
Flexible: 2-year ADN programs with evening/weekend options at community colleges

Evaluate Graduation Rates

Graduation rates reveal program quality and student support. Compare:

Highest: Regis (63.8%), Trinidad State (53.3%), UNC (51.6%)
Lowest: CTU-Colorado Springs (18.6%), Pikes Peak (23.0%), Arapahoe (26.7%)

A low graduation rate may indicate insufficient academic support or challenging prerequisites.

Calculate True Cost

Include tuition, fees, textbooks, and living expenses. A $4,740/year community college program costs less than one semester at some private universities.

Assess Clinical Opportunities

Programs affiliated with major medical centers (CU Denver/Anschutz, Regis, UNC) offer superior clinical placements and networking.

Research NCLEX Pass Rates

While not provided here, verify each program's NCLEX-RN pass rates on the Colorado Board of Nursing website before enrolling.

Location Matters

Consider commute time, cost of living, and regional job markets. Denver and Colorado Springs offer more nursing positions; rural programs may provide loan forgiveness incentives.

Colorado's Nursing Job Market & Earning Potential

Colorado's nursing workforce is growing, with median RN salaries ranging from $57,000–$113,000+ depending on degree level and specialization:

Associate's Degree (ADN): $57,000–$68,000/year
Bachelor's Degree (BSN): $63,000–$67,000/year
Master's Degree: $89,000–$137,000/year
Doctoral Degree: $108,000+/year

Top-Earning Programs by Credential:

Colorado Technical University (Master's): $137,341/year
CU Denver/Anschutz (Graduate Certificate): $113,409/year
University of Northern Colorado (Doctoral): $108,582/year
Colorado State University Pueblo (Master's): $105,115/year

Denver, Colorado Springs, and the Front Range corridor offer the most nursing positions. Rural areas often have nursing shortages and may offer loan repayment or signing bonuses.

Financial Aid for Colorado Nursing Students

Federal Aid

FAFSA: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at fafsa.gov
Federal Loans: Unsubsidized and subsidized loans available to eligible students
Pell Grants: Up to $7,395/year for low-income students (2024–2025)

Colorado-Specific Programs

Colorado Student Loan Program (CSLP): Low-interest loans for Colorado residents
Colorado Nursing Workforce Initiative: Loan forgiveness for nurses working in underserved areas
Rural Health Loan Repayment: Forgiveness programs for rural practice commitments

Institutional Aid

Private nonprofits (Regis, CCU) and public universities offer scholarships and need-based grants. Community colleges typically have lower sticker prices, reducing loan need.

Work-Study & Employer Sponsorship

Many Colorado hospitals sponsor nursing students in exchange for post-graduation employment commitments. Check with major employers (UCHealth, Denver Health, Centura Health) for tuition assistance programs.

Next Steps: Compare Programs on GradeToGrad

Ready to explore Colorado nursing schools in detail? Visit GradeToGrad's nursing program search to:

Filter by tuition, location, and degree type
Compare graduation rates and student reviews
Access application deadlines and contact information
Read detailed program profiles and student experiences
Connect with current students and alumni

Use our comparison tools to build a shortlist of 3–5 programs that match your priorities, then request information directly from admissions offices.

Final Thoughts

Colorado's nursing programs range from ultra-affordable community colleges ($2,700/year) to prestigious research universities ($43,980/year). Your choice depends on your budget, timeline, career ambitions, and personal circumstances.

Start here:

Decide between ADN (2 years, $13,500–$22,000) and BSN (4 years, $40,000–$88,000)
Identify 3–5 programs by location and tuition
Compare graduation rates and NCLEX pass rates
Request information and attend information sessions
Apply early—many programs have rolling admissions and fill quickly

Colorado needs nurses. By choosing the right program, you're investing in a stable, well-compensated career while serving your community.