Nursing Schools in Colorado

There are 40 nursing schools in Colorado. This year, we evaluated 23 schools NCLEX pass rates and net prices, and our ranking system identified the following schools as the best value schools.

The calculation we used here takes into account a school's NCLEX pass rate and the net price of attendance for a student who received the average amount of financial aid. The higher the NCLEX pass rate of the program, and the lower the cost, the better the return on investment.

Learn more about our nursing schools ranking methodology here

Each school has two separate rankings. One for the RN program and one for the LPN program. Use the Filter By options to see each list. The Sort By button allows you to sort the list by school name, cost, or rank.

If you notice incorrect information or if we are missing a school, please let us know. We greatly appreciate it!

Nursing Schools Best-Value Rankings


Rank School School Detail Toggle
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Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, CO
Arapahoe Community College
Student PopulationMedium
College Type 2-year Public
Net price$7,101
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 93.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate 96.7%
RN Program Best-Value Score 100.0
LPN Program Best-Value Score 92.5

Arapahoe Community College (ACC) is one of the most respected community college institutions in all of Colorado. It is located in Littleton, Colorado and it was founded back in 1965. This is the very first community college that opened in the Denver area and it has been serving the community ...

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • ADN
  • LPN to ADN
  • CNA
--
Aims Community College
Greeley, CO
Aims Community College
Student PopulationMedium
College Type 2-year Public
Net price$7,330
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 87.9%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score 99.4
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Aims Community College is located in Greeley, Colorado and it is a standard two-year institution. This school was founded in 1967 and has been serving the community for several decades. It has gone through many changes and upgrades to continue to meet the high expectations of the students that ...

Programs offered

  • LPN - closed
  • ADN
  • CNA
--
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO
Colorado Mountain College
Student PopulationMedium
College Type 4-year Public
Net price$7,229
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 96.2%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score 99.7
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Colorado Mountain College (CMC) is a completely accredited institution that offers both two-year and four-year degrees. This college was found in 1965 and it offers an impressive number of different degrees and certificate opportunities. Students can expect the institution to grant more than ...

Programs offered

  • ADN
  • BSN
  • CNA
  • RN to BSN
--
Front Range Community College
Westminster, CO
Front Range Community College
Student PopulationMedium
College Type 2-year Public
Net price$7,582
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 84.2%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score 98.7
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Front Range Community College (FRCC) is a two-year institution that is located in Westminster, Colorado. FRCC was established in 1968 and is a school that has become a large part of the community over time. The heritage of the school can be traced all the way back to the founding of the State ...

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • ADN
  • LPN to ADN
  • CNA
--
Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO
Pikes Peak Community College
Student PopulationMedium
College Type 2-year Public
Net price$8,438
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 98.8%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score 96.9
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This school offers students a great opportunity to receive an in-depth education. There are many programs at this school and all of them are topnotch. Students will be able to pursue many different types of degrees ...

Programs offered

  • LPN - closed
  • ADN
  • LPN to ADN - closed
  • CNA
  • RN to BSN
--
Morgan Community College
Fort Morgan, CO
Morgan Community College
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 2-year Public
Net price$8,685
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 81.6%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate 100.0%
RN Program Best-Value Score 95.5
LPN Program Best-Value Score 89.6

Morgan Community College (MCC) is a two-year community college located in Fort Morgan, Colorado. This school was originally established in 1970 and is a member of the Colorado Community College System. It is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of ...

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • ADN
  • LPN to ADN
  • CNA
--
Lamar Community College
Lamar, CO
Lamar Community College
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 2-year Public
Net price$9,711
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 75.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate 96.1%
RN Program Best-Value Score 91.9
LPN Program Best-Value Score 87.1

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • ADN
  • LPN to ADN
--
Otero Junior College
La Junta, CO
Otero Junior College
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 2-year Public
Net price$11,281
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 83.3%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate 98.3%
RN Program Best-Value Score 88.4
LPN Program Best-Value Score 84.3

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • ADN
  • LPN to ADN
--
Colorado Northwestern Community College
Rangely, CO
Colorado Northwestern Community College
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 2-year Public
Net price$11,508
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 79.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score 87.1
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • ADN
--
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, CO
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Student PopulationLarge
College Type 4-year Public
Net price$12,175
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 89.6%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score 86.9
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

The Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public university in Denver. It offers a wide selection of undergraduate and graduate programs, including nursing programs. The school was founded in 1965 to provide a college education to students from all walks of life. The main campus is still ...

Programs offered

  • BSN
  • Accelerated BSN
  • RN to BSN
--
Trinidad State Junior College
Trinidad, CO
Trinidad State Junior College
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 2-year Public
Net price$12,728
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 75.4%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate 96.8%
RN Program Best-Value Score 82.7
LPN Program Best-Value Score 81.1

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • ADN
--
Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, CO
Colorado Mesa University
Student PopulationMedium
College Type 4-year Public
Net price$14,309
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 89.8%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate 96.6%
RN Program Best-Value Score 81.4
LPN Program Best-Value Score 77.9

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • LPN to ADN
  • BSN
  • RN to BSN
  • ADN
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
--
Colorado State University-Pueblo
Pueblo, CO
Colorado State University-Pueblo
Student PopulationMedium
College Type 4-year Public
Net price$14,988
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 100.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score 81.7
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Colorado State University-Pueblo is a public university in Pueblo and part of the Colorado State University system. The university started as a three-room junior college inside the Pueblo County Courthouse with just 63 students. It now serves over 5,000 students each semester and offers 29 ...

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • BSN
  • Accelerated BSN
  • RN to BSN
  • MSN
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
--
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO
University of Northern Colorado
Student PopulationMedium
College Type 4-year Public
Net price$15,003
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 94.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score 80.5
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) is a public research university founded in 1889. The main campus is in Greeley, Colorado and serves about 12,000 students at its six colleges. Greeley is one of the more populous cities in Colorado and just about an hour drive from Denver. The main ...

Programs offered

  • BSN
  • RN to BSN
  • MSN
  • DNP
  • Accelerated BSN
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • BSN to DNP
  • PhD
--
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Student PopulationMedium
College Type 4-year Public
Net price$15,427
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 92.7%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score 79.2
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

The University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a public university and part of the Colorado state university system. For the Fall 2017 school year, the university served over 12,000 students, with a 16:1 student to faculty ratio. It was founded in 1965 with a focus on business ...

Programs offered

  • BSN
  • Accelerated BSN
  • RN to BSN
  • MSN
  • DNP
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • BSN to DNP
--
Pueblo Community College
Pueblo, CO
Pueblo Community College
Student PopulationMedium
College Type 4-year Public
Net price$15,235
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 84.6%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate 96.4%
RN Program Best-Value Score 77.8
LPN Program Best-Value Score 75.9

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • ADN
--
Adams State University
Alamosa, CO
Adams State University
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 4-year Public
Net price$12,989
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 61.0%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score 77.7
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Programs offered

  • BSN
  • RN to BSN
--
Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, CO
Colorado Christian University
Student PopulationMedium
College Type 4-year Private
Net price$25,198
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 94.8%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score 55.8
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Programs offered

  • BSN
  • RN to BSN
--
Regis University
Denver, CO
Regis University
Student PopulationMedium
College Type 4-year Private
Net price$25,615
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 89.4%
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score 52.1
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Regis University is a private Roman Catholic university in Denver. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1877 and is a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is structured into five colleges offering a wide range of majors and minors for ...

Programs offered

  • BSN
  • Accelerated BSN
  • RN to BSN
  • MSN
  • DNP
  • ADN
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • RN to MSN
--
Technical College of the Rockies
Delta, CO
Technical College of the Rockies
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 2-year Public
Net price$3,371
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate 95.5%
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score 100.0

Technical College of the Rockies is an institution that is based out of Delta, Colorado. It offers students a number of different educational opportunities. TCR is a public college governed by the Delta County Joint School District.  The college changed its name in 2017 from Delta ...

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • CNA
--
Pickens Technical College
Aurora, CO
Pickens Technical College
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 2-year Public
Net price$4,371
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate 82.5%
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score 97.6

Pickens Technical College is located in Aurora, Colorado and it is a school that offers several programs. Students are going to be able to choose from many helpful courses that can lead to lucrative jobs. Everything from arts media and communication to engineering and technology is available at ...

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • CNA
--
Emily Griffith Technical College
Denver, CO
Emily Griffith Technical College
Student PopulationSmall
College Type Less than two year Public
Net price$6,527
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate 91.9%
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score 93.3

Emily Griffith Technical College is a respected public technical college that is located in the downtown area of Denver, Colorado. This school was originally founded in 1916, although it has gone through various changes since those times. It has continued to update course offerings and ...

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • CNA
--
Concorde Career College-Aurora
Aurora, CO
Concorde Career College-Aurora
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 2-year Private
Net price$25,315
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate 80.7%
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score 46.9

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • ADN
--
American Sentinel University
Aurora, CO
American Sentinel University
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 4-year Private
Net price--
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Programs offered

  • RN to BSN
  • MSN
  • DNP
  • BSN
  • RN to MSN
--
Aspen University
Denver, CO
Aspen University
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 4-year Private
Net price--
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Programs offered

  • BSN
  • RN to BSN
  • MSN
  • RN to MSN
  • DNP
--
CollegeAmerica-Denver
Denver, CO
CollegeAmerica-Denver
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 2-year Private
Net price$25,938
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Programs offered

  • ADN
--
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Student PopulationLarge
College Type 4-year Private
Net price$15,888
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Programs offered

  • RN to BSN
  • MSN
  • DNP
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
--
Community College of Denver
Denver, CO
Community College of Denver
Student PopulationMedium
College Type 4-year Public
Net price$8,962
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • ADN
  • LPN to ADN
--
Denver College of Nursing
Denver, CO
Denver College of Nursing
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 4-year Private
Net price--
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Programs offered

  • ADN
  • BSN
  • LPN to ADN
--
Northeastern Junior College
Sterling, CO
Northeastern Junior College
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 2-year Public
Net price$11,771
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Programs offered

  • LPN - closed in 2015
  • ADN
--
Platt College-Aurora
Aurora, CO
Platt College-Aurora
Student PopulationSmall
College Type 4-year Private
Net price--
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Platt College-Aurora is a small college with a single focus. The college only offers one program, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). However, they do offer additional courses in liberal arts and sciences. The college was founded in 1891 near the Rocky Mountains. The region enjoys 300 days ...

Programs offered

  • BSN
  • Accelerated BSN
--
Red Rocks Community College
Lakewood, CO
Red Rocks Community College
Student PopulationMedium
College Type 4-year Public
Net price$6,426
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Programs offered

  • Pre-Nursing Studies
  • CNA
  • RN to BSN
--
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Denver, CO
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Student PopulationLarge
College Type 4-year Public
Net price$14,586
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

The University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus is home to two hospitals – the University of Colorado Hospital and the Children’s Hospital Colorado. Both hospitals are nationally ranked and considered the best hospitals in the region. The university is also the largest ...

Programs offered

  • BSN
  • Accelerated BSN
  • RN to BSN
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
--
University of Phoenix-Colorado
Lone Tree, CO
University of Phoenix-Colorado
Student Population
College Type 4-year Private
Net price--
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Programs offered

  • BSN
--
Academy of Medical and Health Science Inc.
Pueblo, CO
Academy of Medical and Health Science Inc.
Student Population
College Type 4-year Public
Net price--
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Programs offered

  • LPN
--
Colorado Northwestern Community College - Craig
Craig, CO
Colorado Northwestern Community College - Craig

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • ADN
  • LPN to ADN
--
Front Range Community College - Larimer Campus
Fort Collins, CO
Front Range Community College - Larimer Campus

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • ADN
--
Pueblo Community College - Fremont Campus
Canon City, CO
Pueblo Community College - Fremont Campus

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • ADN
--
Trinidad State Junior College - San Luis Valley Campus
Alamosa, CO
Trinidad State Junior College - San Luis Valley Campus

Programs offered

  • ADN
  • LPN
--
Front Range Community College - Boulder Campus
Longmont, CO
Front Range Community College - Boulder Campus
Student Population
College Type 4-year Public
Net price--
Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate N/A
Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate N/A
RN Program Best-Value Score N/A
LPN Program Best-Value Score N/A

Programs offered

  • LPN
  • ADN

Closed Nursing Schools/Campuses

The following schools are closed permanently.

National American University-Denver (Closed in 2015)
ADN
Argosy University-Denver (Closed in 2024)
BSN

Colorado's NCLEX-RN pass rate Vs. National Average


Colorado's NCLEX-PN pass rate Vs. National Average


Colorado Nursing Salary and Emplyment Statistics


Median Salary
Job title Total Nurses Jobs/1000 Hourly Annual
Registered Nurses 49,340 19.309 $34 $71,280
Nurse Anesthetists 380 0.147 $77 $161,050
Nurse Midwives 0 $47 $97,160
Nurse Practitioners 2,810 1.101 $50 $103,610
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 5,340 2.091 $24 $50,040
Nursing Assistants 20,540 8.038 $15 $31,090
  • Jobs/1000 - the number of jobs (employment) in the given job title per 1,000 jobs (across all occupations ) in the state.
  • Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2017 Survey