Question 1

How many accredited nursing programs are in Colorado?

Accepted Answer

Colorado has dozens of accredited nursing programs across community colleges and four-year universities, listed in full on this page. Every school on this page is verified in the federal IPEDS database and carries either CCNE or ACEN accreditation. The map above plots each program's location and the sortable table below shows in-state tuition, program length, and completion rate for direct comparison.

Question 2

Which Colorado nursing program has the highest NCLEX-RN pass rate?

Accepted Answer

The Colorado Board of Nursing publishes annual first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for every approved program in the state. Rates fluctuate year to year. Our NCLEX pass rates guide compiles the most recent state-level and top-program data for Colorado and every other state, updated after each board release. Check the current annual report from Colorado Board of Nursing before your final enrollment decision.

Question 3

What is the average cost of nursing school in Colorado?

Accepted Answer

Public community college ADN programs in Colorado typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 per year for state residents. Public university BSN programs run $8,000 to $15,000 per year in-state and $22,000 to $35,000 per year out-of-state. Private university BSN programs charge $28,000 to $45,000 per year regardless of residency. Institutional aid, state grants, and federal Pell grants substantially reduce out-of-pocket cost for most students.

Question 4

Do Colorado hospitals hire ADN-prepared nurses or require a BSN?

Accepted Answer

Most Colorado hospitals hire ADN registered nurses for medical-surgical, long-term care, and outpatient settings. Larger urban systems and magnet-status facilities increasingly prefer or require a BSN for hospital positions, especially in specialty units like ICU, ER, and OR. If you start at ADN level, plan for an online RN-to-BSN completion within three years of your first job. Most hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for this bridge.

Question 5

How does Colorado RN licensure work?

Accepted Answer

After graduating from a Colorado Board of Nursing approved program, apply for RN licensure through Colorado Board of Nursing, complete a criminal background check, and register for the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE. Once approved to test, you have 90 days to schedule your exam. See the how-to-become-a-nurse guide for the complete step-by-step process, including timing, fees, and endorsement rules for nurses moving to Colorado from other states.

Question 6

Is Colorado part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Accepted Answer

Compact membership varies by state and changes as legislatures act. Once you hold a compact-state RN license, you can practice in any of the 41 other compact states without additional licensure. Check the current status of Colorado in the Nurse Licensure Compact through Colorado Board of Nursing before assuming multi-state privileges. Non-compact states require endorsement application and fees for each additional state you plan to practice in.

Question 7

What is the RN salary in Colorado?

Accepted Answer

Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows RN median wages in Colorado vary significantly by metro area, hospital type, and specialty. Statewide medians typically fall between $65,000 and $90,000 per year. Urban acute care and specialty units pay above the state median. Rural and long-term care settings pay below. Travel nursing contracts in Colorado commonly pay $2,000 to $2,800 per week. Full salary breakdown by specialty and years of experience is on the nurse salary guide.

Question 8

Are there online nursing programs available to Colorado residents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Colorado residents can enroll in any CCNE-accredited online BSN, RN-to-BSN, or MSN program that accepts out-of-state students. Six commonly-available accredited online programs are compared on the online nursing programs page, including options that place students at local Colorado hospitals for clinical rotations. Online programs are particularly popular for working nurses in Colorado who need scheduling flexibility around 12-hour shift work.

Question 9

What prerequisite classes do I need before applying to a Colorado nursing program?

Accepted Answer

Nursing programs in Colorado typically require the same core prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab, Microbiology with lab, General Chemistry, Nutrition, English Composition, College Algebra or Statistics, Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Sociology. Community colleges in Colorado offer these prerequisites at low cost and credits transfer directly to state university BSN programs. Plan for two full semesters to complete prerequisites before applying to your first-choice program.

Question 10

How long does nursing school take in Colorado?

Accepted Answer

Timing depends on the program type. Practical nurse (LPN) diploma programs run 12 to 18 months. Associate degree (ADN) programs at community colleges run two years. Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs at four-year universities take four years. Accelerated BSN options for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field can finish in 12 to 16 months. RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN bridge programs for working nurses typically take 12 to 24 months of part-time study.


Adams State University	Alamosa, CO	$9,824	Public	39%
Aims Community College	Greeley, CO	$2,258	Public	40%
Arapahoe Community College	Littleton, CO	$4,434	Public	29%
Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora	Aurora, CO	$24,653	Private for-profit	Not reported
Colorado Christian University	Lakewood, CO	$41,342	Private non-profit	64%
Colorado Mesa University	Grand Junction, CO	$9,927	Public	41%
Colorado Mountain College	Glenwood Springs, CO	$2,616	Public	27%
Colorado Northwestern Community College	Rangely, CO	$4,594	Public	34%
Colorado State University Pueblo	Pueblo, CO	$9,720	Public	40%
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs	Colorado Springs, CO	$12,750	Private for-profit	19%
Concorde Career College-Aurora	Aurora, CO	Not reported	Private for-profit	64%
Denver College of Nursing	Denver, CO	Not reported	Private for-profit	Not reported
Front Range Community College	Westminster, CO	$4,663	Public	35%
Lamar Community College	Lamar, CO	$4,550	Public	55%
Metropolitan State University of Denver	Denver, CO	$11,124	Public	32%
Morgan Community College	Fort Morgan, CO	$4,252	Public	45%
Northeastern Junior College	Sterling, CO	$5,730	Public	56%
Otero College	La Junta, CO	$4,576	Public	38%
Pikes Peak State College	Colorado Springs, CO	$4,510	Public	21%
Pueblo Community College	Pueblo, CO	$5,049	Public	31%
Red Rocks Community College	Lakewood, CO	$4,859	Public	32%
Regis University	Denver, CO	$46,340	Private non-profit	61%
Trinidad State College	Trinidad, CO	$4,608	Public	55%
University of Colorado Colorado Springs	Colorado Springs, CO	$10,149	Public	47%
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus	Denver, CO	$10,383	Public	46%
University of Denver	Denver, CO	$61,398	Private non-profit	76%
University of Northern Colorado	Greeley, CO	$12,416	Public	51%

Nursing Programs in Colorado

All accredited programs in Colorado

Top-completion nursing programs in Colorado

University of Denver

Colorado Christian University

Concorde Career College-Aurora

Regis University

Northeastern Junior College

Becoming an RN in Colorado

Paying for nursing school in Colorado

Prefer to start online this month? Colorado residents qualify for these programs.

Questions about nursing school in Colorado

Compare programs in nearby states

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