Colorado Nursing Schools and Programs

Researching and then applying to accredited nursing schools in Colorado can be a time-consuming task. For those just getting started in Nursing, we suggest that you focus on your near-term education goals and the Colorado licensing requirements. The first question to ask yourself is: Do I want to begin my career in the state of Colorado as a Nursing Assistant, Practical Nurse, or Registered Nurse? See our nursing education chart below for some insight into how long it takes to graduate from the most popular CNA, LPN, and RN nursing programs in Colorado.

Chart of Colorado nursing program lengths and average wages by type: Nursing Assistant (CNA), Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), and Nurse Practitioner (NP).

Colorado Registered Nurse (RN) programs generally lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN), which typically lasts 2 years, or a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN), which lasts 4 years.

While earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN) or Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) is an important milestone for nurses, many Colorado nursing school students gain meaningful work experience and earn an income upon completion of a shorter Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Practical Nursing program in the state of Colorado.

Starting with a shorter CNA or LPN program can also strengthen your ASN or BSN application by showing commitment and clinical readiness. For those pursuing Colorado RN licensure directly, associate degree programs are often more accessible than bachelor's programs. Earning your RN through an ASN, then advancing through an RN to BSN program or RN to MSN bridge, is a common and effective path in Colorado.

Nursing Schools

List Of Nursing Schools In Colorado

Below is our list of accredited nursing schools in Colorado. In general, these colleges, universities, and training centers offer campus-based CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs approved by the Colorado Board of Nursing. RN schools in CO will generally offer an ADN, ASN, or BSN nursing degree. Advanced Practice (APRN) and Nurse Practitioner (NP) programs can be found at larger schools that offer MSN and DNP degrees.

Click the name of any Colorado nursing school below to view the cost to attend, SAT and ACT scores, college or university characteristics, student body profile, satellite map of the surrounding area, and to view any additional nursing program information we have available in our database. Use the wishlist buttons provided to save institutions to a private list of nursing schools near you.

Adams State University

208 Edgemont Blvd, Alamosa, CO 81101
719-587-7011

Adams State University is a Public institution with a campus in Alamosa, Colorado. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Colorado Board of Nursing. The Alamosa, Colorado campus for Adams State University is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 2,950. In-state tuition and fees were $9,824 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: BSN

  • Tuition Cost $9,824
  • Room and Board $9,820
  • Acceptance Rate Open
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Colorado State University Pueblo

2200 Bonforte Blvd, Pueblo, CO 81001
719-549-2100

Colorado State University Pueblo is a Public institution with a campus in Pueblo, Colorado. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Colorado Board of Nursing. The Pueblo, Colorado campus for Colorado State University Pueblo is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 6,691. In-state tuition and fees were $9,720 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, Post-MSN, DNP

  • Tuition Cost $9,720
  • Room and Board $12,100
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • ACT Score 19-25
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Mesa State College

1100 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501
970-248-1020

Mesa State College is a institution with a campus in Grand Junction, Colorado. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Colorado Board of Nursing. …

Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN, BSN, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN

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Metropolitan State University - Auraria

890 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 80204
303-556-3058

Metropolitan State University - Auraria is a Public institution with a campus in Denver, Colorado. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Colorado Board of Nursing. The Denver, Colorado campus for Metropolitan State University - Auraria is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 17,593. In-state tuition and fees were $11,124 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: BSN, ABSN, RN-to-BSN

  • Tuition Cost $11,124
  • Acceptance Rate 99%
  • ACT Score 17-23
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Otero College

1802 Colorado Avenue, La Junta, CO 81050
719-384-6800

Otero College is a Public institution with a campus in La Junta, Colorado. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Colorado Board of Nursing. The La Junta, Colorado campus for Otero College is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 972. In-state tuition and fees were $4,576 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: CNA, LPN, ASN

  • Tuition Cost $4,576
  • Room and Board $9,280
  • Acceptance Rate Open
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Pueblo Community College

900 W Orman Ave, Pueblo, CO 81004
719-549-3200

Pueblo Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Pueblo, Colorado. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Colorado Board of Nursing. The Pueblo, Colorado campus for Pueblo Community College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 6,767. In-state tuition and fees were $5,049 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: CNA, LPN, ASN, LPN-to-ASN, BSN, RN-to-BSN

  • Tuition Cost $5,049
  • Acceptance Rate Open
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Regis University

3333 Regis Blvd, Denver, CO 80221
800-388-2366

Regis University is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Denver, Colorado. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Colorado Board of Nursing. The Denver, Colorado campus for Regis University is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 4,631. In-state tuition and fees were $46,340 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, RN-to-MSN, DNP, PhD

  • Tuition Cost $46,340
  • Room and Board $15,762
  • Acceptance Rate 87%
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University of Colorado - Anschutz

13120 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045
303-724-1812

University of Colorado - Anschutz is a Public institution with a campus in Aurora, Colorado. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Colorado Board of Nursing. The Aurora, Colorado campus for University of Colorado - Anschutz is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 23,409. In-state tuition and fees were $10,383 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, RN-to-MSN, DNP, PhD

  • Tuition Cost $10,383
  • Room and Board $15,442
  • Acceptance Rate 78%
  • ACT Score 21-27
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University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
719-255-3000

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is a Public institution with a campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Colorado Board of Nursing. The Colorado Springs, Colorado campus for University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 11,213. In-state tuition and fees were $10,149 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, RN-to-MSN, DNP

  • Tuition Cost $10,149
  • Room and Board $12,918
  • Acceptance Rate 97%
  • ACT Score 21-28
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University of Northern Colorado

1862 10th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80639
970-351-1890

University of Northern Colorado is a Public institution with a campus in Greeley, Colorado. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Colorado Board of Nursing. The Greeley, Colorado campus for University of Northern Colorado is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 9,067. In-state tuition and fees were $12,416 for the most recent reporting period. …

Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD

  • Tuition Cost $12,416
  • Room and Board $16,154
  • Acceptance Rate 86%
  • ACT Score 17-26
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How To Become

How do I become a nurse in Colorado?

If you want to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Colorado, you will need to complete a Registered Nurse training program. Registered Nurse programs generally last 2 to 4 years (see chart at the top of this page). Upon completion of your Colorado registered nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-RN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you will apply for a Registered Nurse license from the Colorado Board of Nursing.

If you want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of Colorado, you will need to complete a Practical Nurse training program. Practical Nursing programs generally last 1 to 1.5 years (see chart at the top of this page). Upon completion of your Colorado practical nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-PN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-PN exam, you will apply for a Practical Nurse license from the Colorado Board of Nursing.

How Long It Takes

How long is nursing school in Colorado?

The amount of time you spend in a Colorado nursing school will vary based on the career path you choose. You can become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in as little as 6 to 12 weeks. Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1 to 1.5 years, a Colorado Registered Nurse (RN) in 2 to 4 years, or stay in nursing school longer to become a Nurse Practitioner in 6 to 8 years.

Above on this page, we created a chart that summarizes how long nursing school is in Colorado. That chart includes the number of nurses employed in the state of Colorado, along with the average wages earned at each education level.

Notice that in the state of Colorado, far greater numbers are employed as Registered Nurses (RN) compared to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Notice also that a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Colorado earns far more in wages compared to a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Use the nursing program acronyms CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD to help identify which Colorado nursing schools offer the length of program you desire.

Tuition Cost

How much does nursing school in Colorado cost?

Tuition for a nursing school in Colorado will cost between $4,000 to $6,000 per year for state residents seeking a two-year Associate degree, an ADN, or ASN, for example. The larger public four-year colleges and universities in Colorado cost more, between $6,000 to $12,000 per year, for state residents seeking their Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN).

To help reduce the cost of nursing school in Colorado, a student can generally take their pre-nursing courses at a smaller two-year college. Then, transfer those credits into the larger four-year college or university of your choice. Each college has its own method of awarding transfer credits for pre-nursing coursework. You will need to plan ahead and question the receiving school before you start your first pre-nursing class.

Difficulty

Is it hard to get into a Colorado nursing school?

We list the quoted acceptance rate provided by each Colorado nursing school. A college acceptance rate is calculated by dividing the number of accepted students by the number of total applicants. Reviewing the list of nursing schools in Colorado provided above, we can see the acceptance rates range from about 50% to 100% or Open. SAT and ACT scores are displayed on each individual nursing school page.

If you are having trouble getting accepted into a Colorado nursing school due to a below average GPA, SAT, or ACT score, here are two strategies which might help: 1) take your pre-nursing courses at your local community college then reapply later as a transfer student with an above average GPA, and, 2) get your Nursing Assistant or Practical Nurse license to help you gain experience and stand out from other college applicants.

Compact State

Is Colorado a nursing compact state?

Yes, Colorado is part of the nursing license compact. Colorado recently enacted the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, which allows nurses to practice in all but a handful of states. This means that a Colorado Licensed Practical Nurse or a Colorado Registered Nurse can now apply for a multi-state nursing license.

Nursing Schools

Last updated: February 5, 2026

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