Inside Top Online RN to BSN Programs in Colorado
If you’re a working nurse ready to up-level your career, earning a BSN could be the right move. Colorado has a number of accredited and affordable online RN to BSN programs to help you learn a bachelor’s in a flexible environment. Learn how these bridge programs work, get answers to real student FAQs, and see what to expect after you graduate.
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How Colorado Programs Work
Earning your ADN is a great way to launch your nursing career. But when you’re ready for more opportunities, a higher income, and greater job satisfaction, an online RN to BSN program in Colorado offers everything you need.
These programs offer working RNs like you a flexible, affordable, and convenient way to earn a bachelor’s degree. Plus, 65% of Colorado RNs have a BSN, so you need a four-year degree to stay competitive in the job market.
To help you find the right online RN to BSN programs in Colorado, we spotlighted three schools that stand out in terms of flexibility, accessibility, and a quick graduation timeline. Most are more affordable than others and fully online, though some programs may have hybrid components.
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
The University of Colorado Denver offers a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program through its College of Nursing at its Anschutz Medical Campus. While the traditional program has an in-person component, the school also has a fully online RN-BSN pathway.
The pathway program combines rigorous academic coursework with hands-on clinical experience in various healthcare settings. Students are prepared to become registered nurses and provide high-quality patient care.
The curriculum includes courses in health assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and nursing leadership. While the curriculum is comprehensive, it is designed to be general, meaning this isn’t the right program for those who want to specialize in a specific area of nursing.
Duration: 16 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $2,500 per semester
Admissions Requirements:
- An associate degree in nursing (ADN)
- A registered nursing license
Curriculum:
- Professional Nursing Role Development
- Introduction to Healthcare Informatics
- Evidenced-Based Nursing Practice & Research for the RN
- Quality, Safety, & Innovative Nursing Practice
- Population-Based Nursing
- Nursing Leadership in Complex Organizations I & II
Programs that might interest you:
Colorado Christian University
One of the fastest RN to BSN programs in Colorado is offered by Colorado Christian University. Students can complete the program in as little as 14 months while working full-time. While it’s a speedy program, the university doesn’t sacrifice quality.
The curriculum is rigorous, and the school is a leader in promoting individualized learning and networking opportunities. All coursework is divided into five-week blocks and can be completed online, though the program has a clinical component that must be completed in person at a hospital near a student’s home.
Duration: 14 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $331 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- An associate degree in nursing (ADN)
Curriculum:
- 9 credit hours of general education courses
- Healthcare Informatics
- Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice
- Transforming Care: Christian Vision OR Nursing Theory and Role Development
- Bioethics, Health Care Policy & Advocacy OR Ethics, Healthcare Policy, and Advocacy
- Christian Leadership in Nursing & Health OR Nursing Leadership in Healthcare
- Population Health: Community Based Care
- Capstone Integration: Prof Transformation
Pikes Peak State College
Another RN to BSN program worth considering is the one at Pikes Peak State College. This program is online, making it a great option for those with a busy work schedule or time-consuming responsibilities. Each course takes eight weeks, and while it’s possible to complete coursework online, the school states some courses may require in-person clinical or lab hours.
The curriculum is more general, with significant focus on nursing research, health informatics, new trends and technologies in the profession, and leadership skills. Students also explore how to provide healthcare to individuals and how to improve community health.
Duration: 2 years minimum
Mode: Online or hybrid
Cost: $277.80 per credit in-state | $423.60 per credit out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- An associate degree in nursing (ADN)
- An active RN license
Curriculum:
- 18 general education credits
- Integration into Baccalaureate Nursing Practice
- Trends in Nursing Practice
- Nursing Research / Evidence Based Practice
- Legal & Ethical Issues Related to Professional Nursing Practice
- Leadership in the Nursing Profession
- Community Health Nursing/Practicum
- Senior Seminar
- 6 credits of electives covering informatics, healthcare technology, gerontology nursing, behavioral health, and/or emergency preparedness
FAQs from Colorado RN to BSN Online Students
Enrolling in an RN to BSN online in Colorado is a big personal and financial commitment. Before taking the leap, consider your options, identify your priorities, and gather as much information as possible. To help, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about online RN to BSN programs in Colorado below.
How will an RN-to-BSN program in Colorado prepare me for more opportunities?
These courses develop your managerial, communication, and critical thinking skills, preparing you to take on more complex patient care or leadership roles in the field.
BSN programs like the one offered at Pikes Peak State College dive deeper into theoretical and practical nursing concepts with courses on advanced nursing practice and leadership.
As Colorado Christian University points out, many public health organizations and the military require RNs to hold a BSN for employment and/or advancement into supervisory positions. A BSN also prepares you to continue your education by earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
How fast can you go from RN to BSN in Colorado?
It can take from 1-3 years to complete an RN to BSN program. The time it takes to complete your RN to BSN online in Colorado will depend entirely upon your study pace and the program you choose.
For example, courses at The University of Colorado-Colorado Springs are offered in accelerated, eight-week sessions. Most students complete a typical 30-credit program, like the one offered at the University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, within one year.
If you need to earn more than 30 credits to go from RN to BSN online in Colorado, expect to spend more time completing your degree.
How much do RN to BSN programs in Colorado cost?
On average, students pay $300-400 per credit hour. The total price of online RN to BSN programs in Colorado depends on your chosen school and how many credits you need to earn your degree. Colorado Mountain College has one of the lowest per-credit tuition rates at just $135 per credit.
Many programs are 30 credit hours long, but a full bachelor’s degree requires at least 120 credits, so estimate costs accordingly. Check out Colorado State University’s complete degree requirements for a sample of prerequisites.
Transferring credits from your ADN program can help offset costs further, so it will benefit you to look for additional information on this subject when researching.
Is there financial aid available to Colorado RN to BSN students?
Yes, many RN to BSN programs offer generous financial aid packages. In addition to federal financial aid programs, many individual schools and private organizations offer scholarships and grants.
The Metropolitan State University of Denver offers online students a $1,000 scholarship, while Colorado Mesa University offers a $ 1,000 discount to students who are employed at a partnering healthcare facility.
The Colorado Nursing Foundation provides scholarships to nursing students who plan to practice in the state, while nurses who commit to working in a high-needs area following graduation can apply for the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program.
What requirements do I need to meet to apply for admission to RN to BSN programs in Colorado?
Many online RN to BSN programs in Colorado are post-licensure degrees, meaning that you need to have graduated from an accredited AAS or ADN program with a GPA of at least 2.5 to apply.
However, at some schools, like the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, students may dual enroll in an RN to BSN and ADN program. All applicants must also have a current and unrestricted RN license in the state of Colorado, an American Heart Association CPR Certification, and immunization records.
Specific requirements like prerequisite courses can vary from program to program.
Expert Insight
If you hold a diploma in nursing, you are also eligible for some RN to BSN programs. Though not popular, nursing diploma programs are still around and mostly ran by hospitals, so graduates do not receive a college nursing degree. Diploma holders who return to school for a degree can up their pay and career opportunities.
Salary & Career Comparison: RN vs. BSN
Ask a nurse in Denver and a nurse in a mountain town about their job search, and you'll get two different answers. Along the Front Range, systems like UCHealth are staffing up fast and increasingly spelling out a bachelor's degree for specialty and leadership openings, pushing pay and advancement tracks toward the top half of this range.
Ski towns and rural counties tell a different story: chronic staffing gaps mean an associate degree still gets you hired quickly outside the Denver metro, though usually toward the lower end of the scale.
Registered Nurses
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $84,530 | $103,290 | $128,260 |
| Colorado | $79,500 | $100,260 | $124,940 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $77,460 | $96,140 | $123,250 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $81,210 | $101,130 | $125,870 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $72,410 | $97,600 | $123,590 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $78,050 | $95,990 | $123,500 |
| Greeley, CO | $75,960 | $96,300 | $119,490 |
| Pueblo, CO | $78,050 | $95,720 | $120,110 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
