Written By
Michael Hoffman
- Bio
last updated
If you’ve been thinking about getting a degree from one of the many nursing schools in Colorado, now is the time. The nation’s nurse shortage makes for attractive offers to nursing professionals that include significant salaries and healthy signing bonuses. This demand for nurses is not expected to let up soon, either, and states like Colorado expect even higher demand with 30 percent job growth and over 4,800 average annual openings through 2028.
This guide will introduce you to the best accredited nursing programs in Colorado, including convenient online options. You’ll also find advice on selecting the right degree type based on your current nursing education and training, details about what you could earn as a nurse in Colorado, and other helpful information resources.
2023’s Best Nursing Schools in Colorado
Start your search for nursing programs in Colorado by perusing our list of which schools and programs stand out in 2023 in terms of affordability, accreditation, and student support. The three high-quality programs spotlighted below will help get you started and show you what to expect from any quality, accredited nursing school in Colorado.
Front Range Community College
Colorado is somewhat unique in that many of its community colleges offer RN to BSN programs along with the licensed practical nurse (LPN) and nursing associate degree (ADN) programs typical of those schools. One of the best examples is Front Range Community College and its fully-online RN to BSN. The program is open to students with ADNs or who have completed their first year of an ADN program. Front Range also offers both LPN to RN and Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) degrees for students seeking eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become licensed registered nurses. For students interested in becoming LPNs, there’s also Front Range’s three-semester Practical Nursing Certificate program.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is home to several undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, starting with two pre-licensure nursing bachelor’s options that include all coursework and clinical hours required to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. UCCS’s four-year Traditional BSN is designed for students with little or no previous college or nursing experience. The 16-month Accelerated BSN is for students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees. UCCS’s RN to BSN has two options: a standard RN to BSN for current RNs and a Dual Enrollment RN to BSN that allows current ADN students to save time and money by working on their BSN and ADN degrees simultaneously. Classes in the RN to BSN program are online and part-time. Graduate-level nursing programs at UCCS include an online MSN with three specialized nurse practitioner track options, a full-time MSN to DNP, a BSN to DNP with both full-time and part-time study formats, and a 100% online Post-Master’s Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate.
University of Northern Colorado
Located in Greeley, the University of Northern Colorado is another public institution offering a comprehensive selection of affordable and accredited nursing programs, several featuring online coursework. Undergrad options include a BSN program with both four-year traditional and two-year second-degree options. Second Degree BSN students can choose between online and on-campus formats. UNC’s five-semester RN to BSN program is also available in both online and on-campus formats. A Dual Enrollment RN to BSN option is another option and gives ADN students at partner colleges a head start working on their BSNs while completing their nursing associate degrees. RNs seeking career advancement into advanced practice and leadership roles have several degree choices at UNC, all featuring online components. These include a partially-online Family Nurse Practitioner MSN and fully-online Leadership, Quality & Safety Emphasis MSN. Post-Bachelor’s FNP DNP and Post-Master’s FNP DNP programs and a Nursing Education PhD are also available.
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Types of Nursing Programs Available in Colorado
Nursing schools in Colorado offer an array of degree and certificate options to meet the needs of students at different points in their nursing education and careers. Below is our breakdown of the most common types of undergraduate and graduate nursing programs along with a sampling of their availability at nursing schools in Colorado.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in Colorado
ADN Programs
An associate degree in nursing (ADN) offers a quick pathway to NCLEX-RN eligibility. It also provides a solid academic foundation for earning your nursing bachelors. ADN (also commonly titled ASN or AASN) programs are typically two years in length and most often found in Colorado on community college campuses.
Examples of Colorado Nursing Schools with this Program
Traditional BSN Programs
Along with the full bachelor’s degree college experience, a traditional Bachelor of Science (BSN) program gives students with little or no college or nursing experience eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Traditional BSN programs in Colorado are almost exclusively found on four-year college and university campuses. RNs with a BSN degree are often favored in the job market over those with only a nursing associate degree or nursing diploma.
Examples of Colorado Nursing Schools with this Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
Accelerated (Second Degree) BSN programs provide students with a bachelor’s degree in non-nursing majors the ability to apply the general education and other lower-division credits from that degree to their BSN requirements. This is a major savings of time and cost. As with all nursing bachelor’s programs, accelerated BSN programs qualify graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Examples of Colorado Nursing Schools with this Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in Colorado for Current Nurses
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN Programs
LPNs looking to move up the career ladder can do so by completing LPN to RN or LPN to BSN programs. Both programs qualify graduates to take the NCLEX-RN exam. LPN to RN programs are most commonly offered by community colleges and can usually be completed in as few as three semesters. LPN to BSN programs require three years or more of study and are typically offered by nursing schools on four-year college and university campuses.
Examples of Colorado Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to BSN Programs
Likely the most common of all nursing programs in Colorado, the RN to BSN program provides current registered nurses with ADNs (or, in some cases, nursing diplomas) the most time-efficient and cost-effective path to obtaining their nursing bachelors. They’re also available in a 100% online format from several nursing schools in Colorado. Completion times for RN to BSN programs are typically one year for full-time students and two years for part-time students.
Examples of Colorado Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to MSN Programs
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the most popular degree for those intending to start or advance their nursing careers as advanced practice nurses or in administration or other nursing leadership roles. Current registered nurses without a BSN will find the most direct route to gaining their MSN degree through an RN to MSN program. RN to MSN programs may or may not award BSN degrees as part of their programs.
Examples of Colorado Nursing Schools with this Program
Advanced Nursing Programs in Colorado
MSN Programs
There are two basic types of MSN programs. The standard MSN is for students with a BSN, and the direct-entry MSN is for students with non-nursing bachelor’s seeking to obtain RN licensure while earning their nursing masters. Standard MSNs are quite popular and available from virtually all nursing schools in Colorado with graduate-level programs and usually in several specializations. Colorado residents interested in a direct-entry MSN will, for now, must look out-of-state.
Examples of Colorado Nursing Schools with This Program
DNP and PhD Doctoral Programs
Doctoral degrees in nursing are designed for highly-skilled and experienced nurses intent on filling top-tier leadership roles in their professions. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs prepare graduates for senior leadership positions in healthcare administration and advanced nursing practice. PhD in Nursing programs, on the other hand, are geared toward preparing students for careers in post-secondary academics and advanced research.
Examples of Colorado Nursing Schools with This Program
Post-Graduate Certificates
Nursing post-graduate certificates provide students with master’s and doctoral degrees a way to advance their careers by gaining knowledge and skills in a specialized field of practice without completing an entire degree program. Common specialized fields include Nurse Administration, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Educator, FNP in any number of concentration areas, and Healthcare Informatics. Many nursing post-grad certificates can be completed 100% online.
Examples of Colorado Nursing Schools with This Program
Best Online Nursing Programs in Colorado: 2023
Most nursing programs in Colorado now have at least some distance education components like online lectures, readings, and assignments. Online communication with your instructors and classmates as well as to access your class schedules, academic and financial records, etc. is also commonplace. There are lots of nursing degree and certificate programs with didactic coursework and some labs completed entirely online.
Most online nursing students, especially those in pre-licensure programs will, of course, still participate in in-person clinical hour experiences. To help familiarize you with how nursing education and distance education work together, we’ve spotlighted nursing schools in Colorado with substantial online offerings.
| # | School Name | Type | Cost | Online Programs | More Details | School Information | Online Students | Academic Counseling | Career Placement | Students w/Institutional Aid | Median Earnings 10yrs After Entry | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Northern ColoradoGreeley, CO | Public | $$$ | 3 | The University of Northern Colorado offers a plethora of online nursing degree and graduate certificate options for nursing students. The vast majority of its programs are offered in a hybrid format, with most coursework completed remotely through distance education means. But many of the online nursing programs also have in-person residencies or intensives that require students to visit the campus a few times during their program. There are also additional clinical or practicum requirements. To enhance learning, many of the nursing programs from the University of Northern Colorado set up their classes into cohorts to improve peer interaction and group learning. Program Highlights: RN to BSN
Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate - FNP
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 |
AccreditationHLC | |||
| 2 | University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO | Public | $$ | 4 | Students who enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program from University of Colorado – Colorado Springs have two pathways to follow. The first is the dual enrollment RN to BSN option for students who are already enrolled in an associate degree nursing program. The second is the RN to BSN option for existing registered nurses who wish to obtain their BSN. The coursework is offered online, though students must complete their clinical requirements in person. Students looking for graduate training can choose from either the Master of Science in Nursing or the post-master’s certificate. Like the bachelor’s program, graduate nursing students can expect classes to be offered online, but must also complete in-person practicum requirements. Program Highlights: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Master’s Certificate – Nurse Practitioner
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationHLC | |||
| 3 | Colorado State University PuebloPueblo, CO | Public | $$ | 2 | Practicing nurse practitioners with only an associate degree may be interested in Colorado State University Pueblo’s RN to BSN online program. Students must have 120 credits to graduate, but because incoming students will have at least an associate degree, it’s possible to graduate in just one to two years. Most of the coursework for this program are offered completely online. Practicing nurses looking to earn a terminal degree in clinical practice should consider the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Like the RN to BSN program, most of the coursework can be completed remotely. However, DNP students must gain 1,000 hours of in-person clinical experience before they can graduate. Program Highlights: RN to BSN
Doctor of Nursing Practice
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationHLC | |||
| 4 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver, CO | Public | $$ | 3 | The RN to BSN program at the University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is like many other similar programs in that only 30 credits make up the core of the RN to BSN curriculum. Despite this, students must ensure they meet the other elective and general education requirements to complete a full bachelor’s degree. Part of the RN to BSN curriculum is an in-person practicum, though most of the classwork will be delivered through the internet. Prospective graduate students also have several programs to choose from, including those resulting in a master’s degree or post-graduate certificate. As is the case with the bachelor’s degree program, the bulk of the coursework in these graduate programs can be completed online, although in-person practicums are usually needed. Program Highlights: RN to BSN
MSN – Health Care Informatics
MSN - Leadership
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationHLC | |||
| 5 | Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver, CO | Public | $$ | 1 | The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program from Metropolitan State University of Denver is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Incoming students who are already practicing registered nurses can choose the RN to BSN track, while students still in their associate degree nursing program can enter the dual enrollment option. All of the coursework in either track is exclusively offered online, with no on-campus or in-person classroom learning options. Despite the amount of remote learning needed to earn their degree, nursing students will also need to complete in-person practicums to demonstrate their mastery of hands-on patient care skills. Program Highlights: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Program
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio18/1 |
AccreditationHLC | |||
| 6 | Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand Junction, CO | Public | $$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 7 | Denver College of NursingDenver, CO | Private for-profit | $$$ | 2 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationHLC | ||||
| 8 | Colorado Technical University-Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO | Private for-profit | $$$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio31/1 |
AccreditationHLC |
Scholarships and Other Financial Aid for Nursing Students in Colorado
If you’re like most nursing students, you need help paying for your degree. Fortunately, there are many valuable resources you can tap into. These include scholarships and grants, fellowships and assistantships (for graduate students), the Veterans Administration (for vets and active-duty military), employer tuition assistance programs, and more. There’s also the most popular funding source of all, the student loan.
Student loans are available from many public and private sources, but the largest student loan source is the federal government. The federal government also offers several loan repayment opportunities for nurses as does the State of Colorado itself. To learn more about funding opportunities for nursing programs in Colorado, check out EduMed’s nursing scholarship guide, financial aid guide, and guide to graduating from nursing school debt-free.
How to Become an RN in Colorado
Working as a registered nurse in Colorado requires a current unencumbered RN license issued either by the Colorado Board of Nursing (CBN) or a state or U.S. territory member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). There are two methods for applying for a Colorado RN license: examination and endorsement. Endorsement is used by nurses with an RN license from a non-NLC state or U.S. territory. If you are seeking your first RN license, you will apply for your license by examination. Here’s a detailed look at the steps you’ll take to gain your Colorado RN license via examination.
Complete your state-approved ADN or BSN degree program
One of the major requirements for obtaining your Colorado RN license is taking and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Qualifying for the exam requires completion of a CBN-approved RN education program. You can find state-approved nursing associate and baccalaureate degree programs at CBN’s Education Resources.
Apply for your RN license with the Colorado Board of Nursing
Apply for your RN license online through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Online Services Portal. Before submitting your application, you must meet all of the application requirements outlined in this application checklist. Those requirements include submitting information about your nursing education program, uploading your official school transcripts, and completing a declaration of primary residence and fingerprint and background checks. You’ll also answer a series of general and criminal history questions and pay an application fee.
Register and sit for the NCLEX-RN exam
The NCLEX-RN examination is administered by Pearson VUE. Once they receive CBN clearance, you can register with Pearson VUE to take the exam. Two to three weeks later, you’ll receive your Authorization to Test from Pearson VUE and schedule your exam. You then can sit for the exam at one of Pearson VUE’s testing locations. Detailed exam preparation is available through NCLEX.
Receive your Colorado RN license
NCLEX-RN exam results are available and forwarded to the CBN within hours of exam completion. If you’ve passed, you can verify the issuance of your license through DORA’s Healthcare Professions Profile Program website. The posting process takes two to three weeks.
Keep your RN license current
All Colorado RN licenses expire every two years on September 30th. New license recipients who are issued their license within 120 days of an upcoming renewal date are issued their license with the following year’s renewal date. There are no continuing education requirements for RN license renewal in Colorado. You can renew your license via the DORA Online Services Portal.
Employment Outlook for RNs in Colorado
The demand for nurses of all types, particularly licensed RNs, is very strong in Colorado and is expected to stay that way for at least the next several years. This is true across the U.S. but is exceptionally so in Colorado as indicated by the projected employment figures for RNs from the U.S. Department of Labor presented in the chart below. In fact, the projected job growth rate for RNs in Colorado is nearly three times that for the nation as a whole. The news is almost as good for Colorado LPNs as well, with long-term job growth projected at 21% through 2028, almost twice that for the nation overall.
Employment Projections for RNs in Colorado
| New Jobs (2018-2028) | Job Growth Rate (2018-2028) | Average Annual Openings (2018-2028) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 15,630 | 29.5% | 4,810 |
| United States | 371,500 | 12.1% | 210,400 |
Source: Projections Central
Nursing Salaries in Colorado: How Much You Could Make as an RN
As the BLS data in the table below indicates, salaries are competitively strong for Colorado RNs, particularly when accounting for the cost of living for Colorado residents compared to other states. These are, of course, median annual wage figures. What you’ll actually earn in your Colorado RN job depends on several factors like your geographic location, employer, job title, and levels of seniority and professional experience.
Annual Earnings for Registered Nurses in Colorado
| 10th Percentile | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $55,820 | $76,500 | $104,070 |
| United States | $53,410 | $75,330 | $116,230 |
| Boulder, CO | $60,330 | $81,260 | $107,300 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $54,660 | $75,510 | $103,080 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $56,520 | $77,530 | $105,510 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $57,620 | $76,070 | $101,240 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $55,200 | $75,050 | $100,700 |
| Greeley, CO | $54,080 | $71,260 | $92,690 |
| Pueblo, CO | $53,700 | $75,970 | $102,000 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2020
Colorado Nursing Resources
Colorado Association of School Nurses
Colorado Council of Black Nurses
Colorado Health Care Association
Colorado Public Health Association – Public Health Nursing Section
Colorado Student Nurses Association
Colorado Visiting Nurse Association