Compare NCLEX pass rates, costs, and outcomes across Colorado's top-ranked BSN, ADN, and accelerated nursing programs.
Colorado nursing schools train roughly 2,000 new RNs annually, yet the state’s 20% vacancy rate leaves over 9,900 positions unfilled. Across 22 ranked programs, 35 distinct listings show a market where in-state tuition starts under $5,000 and median graduate earnings can top $72,000.
Net price after aid narrows the gap, but the spread in debt levels and NCLEX pass rates underscores real performance differences. Aspiring nurses weighing an associate degree against a BSN, or a community college against a university, will find outcomes that vary sharply even among geographically close institutions, a reality the how to become a nurse guide explains.
Colorado’s nursing programs span from rural community colleges to major research universities, with strong ADN and BSN options across the Front Range and beyond. The following table highlights ten standouts for 2026, factoring in cost, graduate outcomes, and NCLEX performance.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Front Range Community College | Westminster, CO | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | Colorado residents seeking top NCLEX preparation | |
Front Range Community College stands out as one of Colorado’s top nursing schools, with an average NCLEX-RN pass rate of 98.57% across recent cohorts. The Westminster-based college offers an ACEN-accredited ADN program and a hybrid RN-to-BSN completion pathway, combining over 50 years of nursing education excellence with flexible online coursework and local clinical placements. The institution’s 35.5% graduation rate reflects its open-access mission, while its net price of $13,031 makes it an accessible choice for many.
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| #2 | Trinidad State College | Trinidad, CO | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | Rural students wanting strong ADN outcomes | |
Trinidad State College in southern Colorado provides a rigorous ADN program with a practical nurse exit option and an LPN-to-ADN pathway, serving both traditional and evening students. The college’s NCLEX-RN pass rates are strong enough to place it among the state’s top performers, and its 54.5% institutional graduation rate and $10,772 net price underscore its ability to deliver quality nursing preparation at an affordable cost.
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| #3 | Regis University | Denver, CO | ~$18,000/yr (est.) | Career changers needing accelerated BSN pathways | |
Regis University’s Loretto Heights School of Nursing in Denver offers a CCNE-accredited BSN program with three distinct tracks: a traditional four-year, a one-year accelerated option for career changers, and a hybrid CHOICE program for working professionals. The Jesuit university’s 61% graduation rate and $18,397 net price are paired with strong graduate earnings (median $72,105) and extensive clinical partnerships along the Front Range, making it a compelling private option.
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| #4 | Northeastern Junior College | Sterling, CO | $14,000/yr (net price) | ||
Northeastern Junior College in Sterling offers an ACEN-accredited ADN program with small class sizes and a curriculum that blends 67.5 credits of classroom, lab, and clinical work. Its 56.5% graduation rate and $13,801 net price, combined with a low median graduate debt of $9,376, make it a financially prudent starting point for a nursing career.
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| #5 | Lamar Community College | Lamar, CO | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Lamar Community College’s nationally accredited ADN program spans five semesters and prepares students for both RN and practical nursing licensure, with hands-on simulation and clinical experiences in rural southeastern Colorado. A 54.7% graduation rate, $9,161 net price, and median debt of $8,750 position it as an affordable option for students in less-served areas.
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| #6 | Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood, CO | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood delivers an ADN program focused on clinical reasoning, with prerequisite coursework in anatomy, microbiology, and chemistry. The institution reports a 32% graduation rate and a $9,044 net price; its median graduate earnings of $46,288 suggest a strong return for graduates entering the Denver metro workforce.
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| #7 | Aims Community College | Greeley, CO | $11,000/yr | ||
Aims Community College in Greeley boasts a 95% NCLEX-RN pass rate, exceeding the national average, through its campus-based ADN program that integrates lectures, labs, and an internship. With a 39.6% graduation rate, $11,463 net price, and median debt of $6,844, Aims combines strong preparation with low student debt.
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| #8 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
The University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus offers a nationally recognized BSN through its College of Nursing, available in traditional, accelerated, and a Colorado-resident-only integrated bridge pathway. The public university has an institutional graduation rate of 46.1% and a net price of $11,900; its graduate earnings median of $64,270 reflects the value of its research-intensive clinical training on the Anschutz medical campus.
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| #9 | Morgan Community College | Fort Morgan, CO | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Morgan Community College in Fort Morgan provides two pathways: an ACEN-accredited ADN on campus and an online RN-to-BSN with a remarkably low $200 per credit hour. The college’s 44.6% graduation rate and $9,266 net price, along with a median debt of $8,501, make it a rural-serving institution with a clear focus on upward mobility for nurses.
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| #10 | University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | $18,000/yr (net price) | ||
The University of Northern Colorado in Greeley offers a hybrid BSN with tracks for first-time degree seekers and second-degree holders, emphasizing critical thinking and community health. Its 51.2% graduation rate and $17,760 net price, combined with graduate earnings of $52,231, place it as a solid public university choice in northern Colorado.
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In-state tuition for Colorado nursing programs spans from $3,410 to $10,383 across these public institutions, while out-of-state rates reach up to $29,391. The net price after financial aid (an institution-wide average, not a guaranteed individual figure) narrows that gap, ranging from $6,007 to $13,801. Combining net price with median graduate debt highlights value: several community colleges, like Aims Community College, combine low net cost with minimal debt loads.
| Institution | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price After Aid | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pikes Peak State College | $4,510 | $17,110 | $6,007 | $9,000 |
| Colorado Mountain College | $5,112 | $12,840 | $7,813 | $9,000 |
| Red Rocks Community College | $4,859 | $17,459 | $9,044 | $9,500 |
| Lamar Community College | $4,550 | $7,260 | $9,161 | $8,750 |
| Morgan Community College | $4,252 | $16,852 | $9,266 | $8,501 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | $9,720 | $17,944 | $10,051 | $21,500 |
| Trinidad State College | $4,608 | $7,318 | $10,772 | $8,908 |
| Otero College | $4,560 | $7,270 | $11,103 | $10,250 |
| Aims Community College | $3,410 | $11,786 | $11,463 | $6,844 |
| Arapahoe Community College | $4,434 | $17,034 | $11,571 | $11,884 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | $10,383 | $29,391 | $11,900 | $20,500 |
| Pueblo Community College | $5,049 | $17,649 | $12,045 | $10,000 |
| Adams State University | $9,824 | $21,944 | $12,980 | $19,500 |
| Front Range Community College | $4,663 | $17,263 | $13,031 | $12,251 |
| Northeastern Junior College | $5,730 | $8,267 | $13,801 | $9,376 |
Nursing school costs in Colorado vary widely. This at-a-glance summary pulls key figures from our ranked list of programs to help you compare affordability.
A nursing program with a 97% NCLEX first-time pass rate and one hovering at 78% may both meet accreditation minimums, but they signal very different levels of student readiness and faculty support.
First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates are the single most direct measure of how well a nursing school prepares its graduates for entry-to-practice. The exam tests clinical judgment across all major client-needs categories, and a low pass rate often points to gaps in curriculum alignment, simulation quality, or academic remediation. For prospective students, a school's first-time rate is a proxy for the likelihood you will transition from graduation to licensure without costly retakes or delays in beginning your nursing career.
State boards of nursing and accrediting agencies typically require programs to maintain first-time NCLEX pass rates above 80%, and many have accountability rules that trigger improvement plans when rates drop below that threshold. When you see a program with a persistent pattern of first-time rates in the 70s, ask hard questions: Does the school provide structured NCLEX preparation? Are recent curriculum changes improving results? A rate consistently below 80% suggests that a meaningful share of graduates are not yet practice-ready at the level the NCLEX demands, no matter the program's reputation in other areas.
The 2024 national average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for BSN programs was 91.92%, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Colorado's top performers often sit well above that mark. For example, the University of Colorado College of Nursing at Anschutz's 2024 NCLEX pass rate was 96.67% for its BSN graduates, far above the national norm. While not every Colorado BSN program publishes its rate as prominently, state-level data consistently shows that several schools exceed 90%, making it a competitive landscape. When comparing programs, look specifically for BSN pass rates rather than overall institutional rates that blend ADN and BSN outcomes, because the rigor and student profile can vary significantly.
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) publishes annual NCLEX-RN performance summaries for every approved prelicensure nursing program in the state. The reports break pass rates down by program type and degree level, letting you verify the most recent first-time percentages directly. Basing your decision on the latest DORA data ensures you are not relying on marketing materials that may highlight a single strong year while omitting a multi-year trend.
These figures show how Colorado nursing programs stack up in terms of debt and long-term earnings, based on the most recent College Scorecard data for nursing completers. Program-level earnings for the first few years after graduation are not yet available, but the 10-year median earnings and debt reveal clear ROI differences. Nationally, registered nurses earned a median wage of $93,600 in 2024; Colorado’s state-specific BLS data remains incomplete, so individual school outcomes become a critical guide.
| School | Median Earnings (10 yr) | Median Debt | ROI Ratio (Earnings/Debt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aims Community College | $41,887 | $6,844 | 6.12 |
| Colorado Mountain College | $44,127 | $9,000 | 4.90 |
| Red Rocks Community College | $46,288 | $9,500 | 4.87 |
| Morgan Community College | $39,429 | $8,501 | 4.64 |
| Pikes Peak State College | $40,796 | $9,000 | 4.53 |
| Concorde Career College-Aurora | $42,456 | $9,500 | 4.47 |
| Lamar Community College | $38,719 | $8,750 | 4.43 |
| Northeastern Junior College | $39,893 | $9,376 | 4.25 |
| Trinidad State College | $36,475 | $8,908 | 4.09 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Denver | $38,673 | $9,500 | 4.07 |
| Arapahoe Community College | $48,341 | $11,884 | 4.07 |
| Otero College | $39,018 | $10,250 | 3.81 |
Becoming a registered nurse in Colorado follows a clear sequence of steps. Here's the path from nursing school to your first Colorado RN license.
What nursing degree should I pursue in Colorado, and how long will it take? The answer depends on where you are in your education and career. Colorado nursing schools offer four main pathways, each with different timelines, prerequisites, and formats. Knowing the differences upfront can save you time and money.
The ADN is a two-year program typically offered at community and technical colleges. It is the fastest route to an RN license for students starting from scratch. Coursework covers fundamentals of nursing, pharmacology, and clinical care, with hands-on practice in simulation labs and local healthcare facilities. Graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN and can begin working as registered nurses right away. Many ADN programs in Colorado are campus-based, with daytime and sometimes evening schedules. While the ADN gets you into the workforce quickly, many hospitals now prefer or require a BSN, which means you may eventually need to complete an RN-to-BSN bridge.
A traditional BSN is a four-year degree that combines general education, nursing theory, and extensive clinical rotations. In Colorado, most BSN programs are delivered on campus, though a handful offer hybrid or online components for select courses. For example, the University of Northern Colorado runs a hybrid BSN track, while Colorado Christian University and CSU Pueblo also incorporate online coursework alongside in-person clinicals. Traditional BSNs are ideal for first-time college students who can commit to a full-time, multi-year program. The degree opens doors to a wider range of nursing roles, leadership opportunities, and graduate study, and it satisfies the BSN-in-10 requirement that many Colorado hospitals have adopted.
If you already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, an accelerated BSN lets you leverage your previous credits and earn a nursing degree in 12 to 20 months. These programs are intense, full-time, and typically require specific science prerequisites. Colorado has several ABSN options beyond the well-known CU Anschutz track. Regis University offers a 12-month, on-campus ABSN in Denver. CU Anschutz also runs a 12-month accelerated pathway through its UCAN program, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA. University of Colorado Colorado Springs provides a 16-month on-campus ABSN that accepts both bachelor’s holders and students with 57 college credits, with a TEAS exam requirement. Metropolitan State University of Denver’s accelerated option spans 17–18 months on campus and costs about $40,600. CSP Global (a Concordia University, St. Paul site) offers a 16-month hybrid ABSN in Denver for students with 54 credits or a prior degree. The University of Northern Colorado has a 20-month hybrid second-degree BSN requiring a previous bachelor’s and 71 credits. Grand Canyon University also delivers a 16-month hybrid ABSN in the Denver area, accepting non-nursing bachelor’s graduates or students with 60 transferable credits. Prerequisites, application windows, and accreditation status vary, so check each program carefully before applying.
Working ADN nurses can complete an RN-to-BSN in as little as one year, often entirely online. These programs build on your existing knowledge and focus on leadership, population health, and evidence-based practice. Colorado schools like Front Range Community College, Arapahoe Community College, Morgan Community College, and Pueblo Community College all offer accredited online RN-to-BSN options. Some, like Front Range, blend online coursework with minimal on-site practicum hours. RN-to-BSN programs are designed for flexibility, so you can continue working full-time while advancing your degree.
If you are a recent high school graduate or a first-time college student, a traditional BSN gives you a direct four-year pathway to licensure and long-term career mobility. Career changers with a bachelor’s in another field should target an ABSN to become an RN in about a year and a half. Already an RN with an ADN? An online RN-to-BSN fits your schedule and meets employer expectations without interrupting your income. And for those who need to enter the workforce as quickly as possible, an ADN remains the most affordable and expedient on-ramp to a nursing career in Colorado.
Colorado faces a 20% nursing shortage in 2026, leaving around 9,970 RN positions unfilled. This high demand ensures strong job security and competitive wages for nursing school graduates, with employers competing for new talent. The investment in a Colorado nursing education pays off through immediate career opportunities and long-term stability.
Choosing a nursing program involves many questions about cost, time, and outcomes. Here are direct answers based on Colorado's education landscape and workforce data.
This directory lists additional Colorado nursing programs beyond the top-ranked schools, organized by region. Each entry includes the school name, location, degree level, learning format, and net price to help you compare. Visit school program pages directly for the latest admissions and accreditation details.
