MSN & RN-MSN Programs in Colorado

In Colorado, there are several great schools to choose from for you MSN, whether you live in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, or Greeley. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best options and what makes them different.

Regis's program focuses on Leadership in Health Care Systems. Classes are broken into 8-week chunks, and the whole program is 30 credits. It’s online, which is perfect if you’re already working. You’ll need a 2.75 GPA to get in, and you must have passed a Statistics class with at least a C.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is perfect if you want to become a Nurse Practitioner. They offer tracks for family medicine, mental health, and elderly care. It’s alos fully online, which sounds easy, but there is a catch: you have to find your own preceptors. Also, heads up... if you start in Fall 2026, the required clinical hours are jumping from 630 to 770. That’s a lot of extra time in the hospital!

Not a fan of staring at a computer screen all day? The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) offers a "hybrid" setup. You do some work online, but you also go to campus one day a week.

This is a great middle ground if you like seeing your teachers in person. Just keep in mind they have a higher bar for entry ...you’ll need a 3.0 GPA to apply, and their deadline is February 1st.

Why Colorado is a Great Place for NPs: One of the best things about being a Nurse Practitioner in Colorado is that the state gives you a lot of freedom. Unlike some other states, NPs here have "independent practice authority."

This means that after you finish a mentorship period, you can eventually run your own practice and write prescriptions without a doctor hovering over your shoulder. It’s a huge deal if you want to be your own boss one day.

Deciding on a school usually comes down to three things: How much does it cost? Is it online or in-person? And when can I start? Take a look at the different schools in the directory to see which one fits your vibe and your schedule!

Where possible, we include NCLEX pass rates data for each campus. The average pass rates are calculated using the last 3 years of data. The average scores are then used in our annual RN/PN rankings. You can read more about it here. You can also view this year's rankings for Colorado here.

Updated: March 12, 2026

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus offers Masters programs at 2 campuses in Colorado.

University of Colorado - Aurora

University of Colorado - Aurora

Aurora, CO
Public
4-year

Programs Offered

MSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
95.1%
RN test takers per year
127
RN rank (2024)
#3
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Denver, CO
Public
4-year

Accreditations

ACME CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

MSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX data not available for this campus.
University of Northern Colorado

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, CO
Public
4-year

Accreditations

CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

MSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
93.6%
RN test takers per year
105
RN rank (2025)
#4
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend

 

The University of Northern Colorado Master of Science in Nursing, program is designed to prepare Nurse Educators and Advanced Practitioners.

The program offers an emphasis in Family Nurse Practitioner to prepare nurses who can engage in advanced clinical practice.  

The Master of Science program is intended to facilitate for the schedules of adult professionals with classes offered just one day a week with some courses offered online. The FNP emphasis is not offered as a full time program at the current time.

The nursing master’s program has a limited amount of Scholarships and graduate assistantships available to full time and part time students in the different emphasis.

Admission Requirements

  1. A Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from an AACN or NLN accredited college or University
  2. Official transcript from all accredited college or university programs attended at the undergraduate and graduate program
  3. Minimum grade point average of 3.0 or more
  4. Current, valid and unencumbered License to practice as a Registered Nurse in Colorado or proof of eligibility
  5. Written statement describing professional goals
  6. Current Resume
  7. Proof of clinical experience with a minimum of one year preferred
  8. Two letters of recommendations

The School of Nursing reviews applications once every academic year. The Application Deadline for enrollment in the fall semester is the preceding 1st of February.  

 

 

Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO
Public
4-year

Accreditations

ACEN CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

MSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
92.5%
RN test takers per year
91
RN rank (2025)
#5
NCLEX-PN pass rate
95.0%
PN test takers (avg)
38
PN rank (2025)
#3
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
PN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
Denver College of Nursing

Denver College of Nursing

Denver, CO
Private
4-year

Accreditations

ACEN North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

MSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
92.0%
RN test takers per year
186
RN rank (2025)
#5
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
University of Colorado Colorado Springs

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, CO
Public
4-year

Accreditations

CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

MSN RN to MSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
92.3%
RN test takers per year
52
RN rank (2025)
#5
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend

The University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Beth El College of Nursing and Health Sciences is a graduate nursing program offering two options of advanced study for Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Education.

The specialty courses are designed to apply theories and evidence based practice for advanced healthcare. The curriculum prepares students to use technological innovation and provide leadership within the clinical and organizational settings. Students in both options are required to complete 38-47 graduate credits to complete a thesis project or a comprehensive tracks within a period of six years.  

The Master in Nursing Education is particularly intended to prepare nurse educators to teach at the bachelor and associate degree levels in a range of academic settings.

Admission Requirements:

  1. Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from an accredited program
  2. Minimum of a 3.0 grade point average for all undergraduate coursework
  3. Resume
  4. Successfully complete undergraduate pre-requisite courses
  5. Current, valid and unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state where applicant expects to complete practical requirements

The deadline for application online for admission in the spring semester is the 15th of September and admission for admission in the fall semester is the 15th of June.

 

Regis University

Regis University

Denver, CO
Private
4-year

Accreditations

CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

MSN RN to MSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
90.5%
RN test takers per year
93
RN rank (2025)
#6
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend

The Regis University Master of Science in Nursing, program is designed to prepare Licensed Registered Nurses for advanced practice including specializations in Leadership in Health Care Systems with focuses in management or education.

The different graduate specialties develop core theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for practice at the graduate level. The program includes foundational courses in nursing theory, health policy, nursing research, ethical practice and healthcare systems financing.

Admission Requirements

  1. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher
  2. Completion of nursing prerequisite courses from an accredited institution of higher education
  3. Current, valid and unencumbered license to practice as Registered Nurse from the state where the student plans to attend clinical practice
  4. A minimum of a ‘C’ grade or higher for program prerequisites
  5. Health clearance (tuberculosis clearance included)
  6. Admission interviews with admissions committee  

The particular tracks may have specific requirements in terms of nursing prerequisite courses taken at the undergraduate level and may require students to show proof taking these courses or equivalent credit.

Graduates from the program will be eligible to sit for certification examinations in their area of specialization and to apply to sit for the national board certification examinations. 

 

Colorado State University Pueblo

Colorado State University Pueblo

Pueblo, CO
Public
4-year

Accreditations

ACEN North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

MSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
90.2%
RN test takers per year
61
RN rank (2025)
#7
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend

The Colorado State University at Pueblo Department of Nursing Master of Science focuses on the Nurse Educator specialty track as well as offering specialties in advanced practice.

The program is designed to prepare students to practice on nursing faculties in colleges, hospital based nursing schools, universities etc. The program also currently offers nursing emphasis areas in Adult/Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric - Mental Health Nurse Practitioner as well as the Adult/Geriatric Acute Care/Family Nurse Practitioner.

The different graduate specialties develop core theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for practice at the graduate level. The various tracks in the program include foundational courses in nursing theory, health policy, nursing research, ethical practice and healthcare systems financing.

Admission Requirements:

  1. Completed Application
  2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
  3. Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate level coursework
  4. Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0
  5. Official scores for all standardized admission exams (as required)
  6. Current, valid unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse 

The particular tracks may have specific requirements in terms of nursing prerequisite courses taken at the undergraduate level and may require students to show proof taking these courses or equivalent credit.

Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs

Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, CO
Private
4-year

Accreditations

CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

MSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX data not available for this campus.
Galen College of Nursing-Aurora

Galen College of Nursing-Aurora

Aurora, CO
Private
4-year

Programs Offered

MSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX data not available for this campus.