Compare accelerated BSN programs by cost, format, prerequisites, and outcomes across Colorado's top nursing schools.
Colorado healthcare employers report more than 2,300 new registered nurse openings each year, concentrated in the Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins metro areas. That sustained demand makes ABSN programs a direct route into the profession for career changers who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree.
These programs compress nursing preparation into 12 to 18 months, combining accelerated theory with in-person labs and clinical rotations at in-state hospitals. The pace is intense and the admission stakes are high: cohorts often fill six to nine months ahead of start dates.
Choosing a program requires a hard look at admission selectivity, prerequisite alignment, total cost, and whether a school can secure clinical placements close to home. In a market where a late application can push your start back a full year, timeline discipline is as important as a strong GPA.
Colorado's accelerated BSN programs are designed for career changers who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree. These programs typically run 12 to 18 months in campus or hybrid formats, with clinicals completed in-state. Here's a quick overview of the state's ABSN landscape.
Colorado offers several accelerated BSN options for career changers with a prior bachelor's degree. The programs below are ranked based on a mix of institution-level data, graduate earnings, program structure, and NCLEX outcomes. Each listing includes key details to help you compare format, length, and clinical opportunities.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | Second-degree Denver metro students | |
The University of Colorado Accelerated Nursing (UCAN) Pathway is a full-time, 12-month campus-based program designed for second-degree students. Courses are held primarily at the Legacy Campus in Lone Tree with access to the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. The program offers a College Opportunity Fund discount for eligible Colorado residents and a Western Undergraduate Exchange rate for qualified students from participating states. NCLEX first-time pass rates were close to 97% in 2024, reflecting strong clinical preparation.
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| #2 | Regis University | Denver, CO | ~$18,000/yr (est.) | Career changers seeking graduate coursework | |
Regis University's Accelerated BSN condenses nursing education into one intensive year, including three graduate-level courses that count toward a future master's degree. Students can complete up to six prerequisite courses on campus, smoothing the path for local applicants. The program uses a holistic review of GPA, resume, and healthcare experience. Graduates benefit from the school's strong NCLEX preparation and financial aid availability.
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| #3 | University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | $18,000/yr (net price) | Hybrid learners in Northern Colorado | |
The University of Northern Colorado's Second Degree BSN is a 20-month hybrid program combining online coursework with in-person classes at the Greeley campus or Loveland Center. Clinical rotations are arranged in Northern Colorado hospitals and community settings. The program reports first-time NCLEX pass rates between 95% and 100% and uses a cohort model with direct faculty support. Tuition is $495 per credit hour.
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| #4 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | $10,000 – $24,000/yr | ||
UCCS offers a 16-month, on-campus Accelerated BSN with a summer start. In-state tuition totals around $35,716, while out-of-state is approximately $71,854. Prerequisites must be completed within 10 years, and applicants must take the TEAS exam. The program emphasizes clinical skills and evidence-based practice.
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| #5 | Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | $10,000/yr (net price) | ||
Colorado State University Pueblo provides an accelerated pathway within its BSN program, accepting about 40 students per year with rolling starts. Classes meet on Mondays and Wednesdays, leaving remaining weekdays for clinical rotations. A new joint BS/MS in Nursing Leadership with CSU Fort Collins launches in fall 2026, offering an accelerated advanced degree track for eligible students.
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| #6 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | $15,000/yr (net price) | ||
Metropolitan State University of Denver's Accelerated Nursing Option is a second-degree program requiring 63 credits of nursing coursework after prerequisites. Applicants must complete the Casper situational judgment test and meet science GPA thresholds. The in-state application is free, and the university is part of the Colorado public system.
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| #7 | Platt College-Aurora | Greenwood Village, CO | |||
Platt College-Aurora offers a 16-month hybrid ABSN at its Greenwood Village campus. The program accepts transfer and CLEP credits and requires 54 prerequisite credits. Limited public earnings data are available, and NCLEX results are not published. This small private college option may appeal to nearby Denver students seeking a shorter timeline.
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A hybrid ABSN program delivers theory coursework (pharmacology, pathophysiology, nursing concepts) through an online learning platform, while requiring you to show up in person for skills labs, simulation, and clinical rotations at partner hospitals. A fully campus-based program, by contrast, expects you on site for lectures as well. Knowing which format a Colorado program uses changes everything about where you can live, when you can work, and how much you will commute.
Among Colorado's accelerated BSN programs, the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley is the clearest hybrid offering. Its 20-month second-degree BSN uses a hybrid structure with online coursework and in-person clinicals concentrated in Northern Colorado, and it reports first-time NCLEX pass rates of 95 to 100 percent. Platt College-Aurora, based in Greenwood Village, also describes its 16-month ABSN as blending online and in-person classes, though students are still expected on the Denver-area campus regularly.
The remaining Colorado ABSNs in this guide, Regis University, CU Anschutz (UCAN Pathway), UCCS, CSU Pueblo, and MSU Denver, are structured as campus-based programs. You should plan to attend in person for most of the week.
It bears repeating: there is no fully online ABSN in Colorado or anywhere else. State boards of nursing require a set number of supervised clinical hours, hands-on skills check-offs, and high-fidelity simulation. Any program advertising itself as "online" still requires you to be physically present for clinicals, and usually for labs. If a program does not clearly explain its in-person requirements, treat that as a red flag.
Most Colorado ABSNs accept qualified applicants regardless of residency, but tuition and clinical placement logistics differ. Public programs (CU Anschutz, UCCS, CSU Pueblo, MSU Denver, UNC) charge significantly higher out-of-state tuition, while Regis and Platt are private and charge a single rate. Clinical placements are arranged by the school within Colorado, so out-of-state students should be prepared to relocate near the campus for the duration.
If the Colorado hybrid options don't fit, residents occasionally explore programs in Arizona or Utah, or national hybrid ABSNs with learning sites in Denver or Colorado Springs. Verify with the program directly that Colorado clinical placement is available before applying.
The core tension most applicants face here is straightforward: these programs are genuinely selective, and meeting a minimum GPA does not guarantee admission. Colorado ABSN programs range from moderately competitive to highly selective, and knowing where each school sits on that spectrum helps you target your application energy wisely.
Every Colorado ABSN program requires a prior bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Your undergraduate major does not matter, though completing the required science prerequisites before you apply is non-negotiable. GPA thresholds vary considerably across programs:
If your GPA falls below a program's minimum, focus on completing remaining prerequisites with strong grades rather than applying prematurely.
Beyond GPA, each program expects a complete application package. Common components include:
Colorado programs typically admit one or two cohorts per year, so missing a deadline often means waiting twelve months to reapply.
Start gathering transcripts, lining up recommenders, and scheduling any required exams well before deadlines open. NursingCAS applications require time to verify transcripts, and processing delays are common during peak submission windows.
What prerequisite courses do Colorado ABSN programs require, and how do requirements differ from school to school?
Prerequisite coursework forms the foundation of your ABSN application, and Colorado programs vary in what they expect you to complete before enrollment. Understanding these differences early helps you plan your preparation and avoid scrambling to complete missing courses.
Most Colorado ABSN programs require a similar set of science courses, though specific requirements and course numbers vary by institution. At UCCS, the prerequisite list, outlined in its admission requirements, includes Anatomy (HPNU 3050), Physiology (HPNU 3060), and Microbiology (BIOL 2030/2130). Chemistry requirements at UCCS specifically call for CHEM 1201 and CHEM 1211, with laboratory components required for both chemistry and microbiology courses.
The lab requirement is an important detail that applicants sometimes overlook. Lecture-only versions of science courses typically do not satisfy ABSN prerequisites. When reviewing your transcripts, verify that each science course included the corresponding lab section, as programs will reject applications missing these components.
Beyond the hard sciences, Colorado ABSN programs require foundational coursework in psychology and human development. UCCS requires PSY 1000 (Introduction to Psychology) along with PSY 3620 (Developmental Psychology), which covers lifespan development. These courses help prepare you for understanding patient behavior, family dynamics, and developmental considerations across the care continuum.
UCCS also requires English composition (ENGL 1310 and ENGL 1410), Nutrition (HPNU 2050), and Statistics (NURS 2060). The minimum prerequisite GPA at UCCS is 3.251, which applies specifically to your prerequisite courses rather than your overall undergraduate GPA.
Science courses have expiration dates at many nursing programs. UCCS allows prerequisite coursework completed within the past 10 years1, which is more generous than some programs that require sciences within five to seven years. If your science courses are older, you may need to retake them or complete challenge exams.
Prospective students should verify current prerequisite requirements directly with each program, as requirements can change between application cycles. Prerequisite checklists are typically available on each program's admissions page and outline exact course equivalencies for transfer students.
Most ABSN programs in Colorado advise against working during enrollment, with students typically committing 40 to 60 hours per week to coursework, labs, and clinical rotations. Some programs explicitly prohibit outside employment, while others with evening or weekend clinical options may allow limited part-time work on weekends. Check with your program before making any commitments.
ABSN program costs in Colorado range from about $9,700 per year for in-state students at public universities to over $28,000 at private schools. The table below compares annual tuition and institution-level average net price, but ABSN-specific net price may differ. Additional expenses like fees, books, uniforms, NCLEX exam fees, and background checks are not included. Scholarships, hospital tuition partnerships, and federal financial aid can help lower out-of-pocket costs.
| School | In-State Tuition (Annual) | Out-of-State Tuition (Annual) | Net Price (Institution Average) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University Pueblo | $9,720 | $17,944 | $10,051 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | $10,383 | $29,391 | $11,900 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | $10,149 | $24,336 | $15,788 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | $11,124 | $30,684 | $15,327 |
| University of Northern Colorado | $11,901 | $26,979 | $17,760 |
| Regis University | $28,140 | $28,140 | $18,397 |
ABSN graduates in Colorado can expect strong earning potential. Compare your anticipated program debt to these wage figures to estimate your debt-to-income ratio. Contact individual programs for graduate debt figures, as they vary widely.
Deciding where to complete your clinical rotations, and which programs can actually place you there, is among the most practical and stressful aspects of choosing an ABSN program. Unlike classroom lectures, clinical sites are physical locations tied to specific hospitals, clinics, and community health facilities across Colorado. A program that sounds perfect on paper can feel very different if your clinical assignments require a lengthy commute, limit your exposure to specialty areas, or conflict with your preferred patient population.
A strong clinical network does more than check a box for required hours. It determines what kind of patients you’ll work with, which preceptors you’ll learn from, and how smoothly you transition from student to practicing nurse. Many ABSN programs in Colorado rely on formal agreements with major healthcare systems to supply their clinical rotation slots. When a school has broad, long-standing relationships, it often means more site choices, fewer scheduling conflicts, and a better chance of landing a placement in a unit that interests you , such as pediatrics, ICU, or labor and delivery.
On the flip side, schools with narrower partnerships may have to send students farther, rotate them through a limited set of units, or change placements at the last minute if a site cancels. Understanding the depth of a program’s clinical affiliations helps you gauge both the quality and the predictability of your hands-on training.
Because clinical partnerships aren’t always easy to spot on a school’s homepage, you’ll need to dig a little. Here are four practical ways to verify which healthcare systems a program works with:
Most ABSN clinical placements cluster around the Front Range, but opportunities stretch across the state. Here’s a snapshot of where rotations commonly occur:
Clinical placement availability can shift semester by semester, so it’s wise to have a conversation with the program’s clinical placement coordinator rather than rely solely on a static partnership list.
Considering an accelerated BSN in Colorado? Below are answers to common questions about program availability, length, online options, prerequisites, costs, and compact licensure.
