Best Nursing Schools in Denver: Rankings, Tuition & Programs for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
March 1, 2026
Compare 14 Denver-area nursing programs from $4,302 at Pikes Peak to CU Anschutz ($113,409 earnings). CCD Integrated Nursing Pathway to CU.
Why Study Nursing in Denver?
Denver's healthcare sector is growing fast with the metro population. UCHealth (University of Colorado Health), SCL Health/Intermountain, Centura Health, Denver Health, and Children's Hospital Colorado anchor the market. The CU Anschutz Medical Campus — the state's academic medical hub — produces top nursing graduates.
The metro has 14 nursing programs with a standout feature: Community College of Denver's Integrated Nursing Pathway provides a direct pipeline from CC to CU Nursing.
Top University Programs
CU Anschutz Medical Campus (Denver)
CU's College of Nursing is ranked among the best nationally by U.S. News. Graduate Certificate nursing graduates earn $113,409/year at $10,017 in-state tuition. The 78% acceptance rate is accessible. Programs include Traditional BSN (4 years), Accelerated BSN (15 months), and advanced practice doctoral programs. Located on the Anschutz Medical Campus alongside University of Colorado Hospital and Children's Hospital Colorado.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Master's nursing graduates earn $103,568/year at $9,712 tuition with a near-open 97% acceptance rate. Strong value for southern Front Range students.
University of Northern Colorado (Greeley)
Doctoral nursing graduates earn $108,582/year at $12,010. Serves northern Colorado with an 86% acceptance rate.
Colorado State University Pueblo
Master's graduates earn $105,115/year at $9,401 with 100% acceptance — essentially open admission with strong outcomes.
Metropolitan State University of Denver
MSU Denver offers BSN at $10,780 with graduates earning $64,216. The 99% acceptance rate and downtown Denver location serve working adults and first-generation students.
Regis University (Denver)
Doctoral nursing at $43,980 with graduates earning $89,606. Jesuit tradition with strong ethics and community health focus. 87% acceptance rate.
Community College ADN Programs
| School | Location | Tuition | ADN Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pueblo CC | Pueblo | $4,883/yr | $67,768 |
| Arapahoe CC | Littleton | $4,308/yr | $61,578 |
| Pikes Peak State | Colorado Springs | $4,302/yr | $60,401 |
| Front Range CC | Westminster | $4,740/yr | $57,931 |
CCD Integrated Nursing Pathway
Community College of Denver has a unique partnership with CU College of Nursing: students complete 30 prerequisite credits at CCD, earn an Associate of General Studies, then transfer directly into CU Nursing's BSN program. Requirements include a 3.0+ prerequisite GPA. This is a structured, guaranteed pathway from a $4,902/year CC to the state's top nursing school.
CU Denver Bridge Pathway
A separate program selecting up to 20 students annually to take prerequisites at CU Denver then transition to CU Nursing's BSN. Designed to promote diversity in healthcare.
Denver Nursing Salaries
- New graduate RN: $65,000-75,000/year
- Experienced RN: $80,000-100,000/year
- NP: $105,000-135,000/year
Major employers: UCHealth, Denver Health, SCL Health/Intermountain, Centura Health, Children's Hospital Colorado, National Jewish Health, VA Eastern Colorado.
Financial Aid
- Colorado Student Grant — need-based for state residents
- Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) — stipend applied to tuition at public institutions
- Federal Pell Grant — covers CC tuition entirely
Next Steps
Compare Denver nursing programs on GradeToGrad.
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