2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
It's not easy to decide which nursing program to enroll in when you have so many options available. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 35 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school us, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named North Idaho College the best school in the Rocky Mountains Region for nursing students working on their associate degree. NIC is a public institution located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The school has a small population, and it awarded 729 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Idaho pay an average of $4,960 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NIC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,736. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,435 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at NIC. In 2020-2021 about 72% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Otero Junior College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Otero Junior College is a very small public school located in La Junta, Colorado that handed out 187 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Otero JC is $4,226. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,730. Associate Degree recipients from Otero JC accumulate an average of $17,572 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Otero JC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 32% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Miles Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Miles Community College is a public institution located in Miles City, Montana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 81 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $6,240 in tuition and fees if they attend Miles Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,110. On average, associate degree students take out $17,203 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Miles Community College. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Utah Valley University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. UVU is located in Orem, Utah and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,917 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $6,270 in tuition and fees if they attend UVU full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $17,830. Associate Degree recipients from UVU accumulate an average of $12,562 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
UVU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 57% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Weber State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Weber State University is a large public school located in Ogden, Utah that handed out 3,110 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Utah pay an average of $6,391 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend WSU. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $17,084. On average, associate degree students take out $18,082 in loans while pursuing their degree.
WSU does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2020-2021 year, about 47% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Laramie County Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. This small public school is located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and it awarded 445 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,613 in tuition and fees if they attend LCCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,913. Associate Degree recipients from LCCC accumulate an average of $13,675 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
LCCC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2020-2021 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
College of Western Idaho did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. CWI is a public institution located in Nampa, Idaho. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,040 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $10,967 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CWI. In 2020-2021 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #8, Salt Lake Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Salt Lake Community College is a large public school situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. It awarded 3,261 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Utah pay an average of $4,257 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Salt Lake Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $13,701. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,066 in student loans.
Salt Lake Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Montana State University - Billings came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. This small public school is located in Billings, Montana, and it awarded 202 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Montana State University - Billings is $6,198. Out-of-state students pay an average of $19,924. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,205 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Montana State University - Billings. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
College of Eastern Idaho ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. CEI is a public institution located in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The school has a small population, and it awarded 276 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CEI is $4,390. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,750. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,077 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CEI does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #11, Northern Wyoming Community College District did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Sheridan, Wyoming, the small public school handed out 472 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,830 in tuition and fees if they attend Northern Wyoming Community College District full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,130. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,152 in student loans.
Northern Wyoming Community College District does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 37% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Morgan Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Morgan Community College is a small public school located in Fort Morgan, Colorado that handed out 134 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Colorado pay an average of $3,930 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Morgan Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $15,579. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,552 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Morgan Community College. In fact, around 51% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. CNCC is located in Rangely, Colorado and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 137 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CNCC is $4,236. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,740. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,923 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that CNCC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 25% took at least some of their classes online.
The University of Montana landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. UM is a public institution located in Missoula, Montana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 296 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UM is $7,719. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $29,634. Associate Degree recipients from UM accumulate an average of $19,416 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UM. In 2020-2021 about 41% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Colorado Mountain College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Colorado Mountain College is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 484 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $4,980 in tuition and fees if they attend Colorado Mountain College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,820. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,854 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Colorado Mountain College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 27% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Helena College University of Montana came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Helena, Montana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 138 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Helena College is $3,590. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,863. Associate Degree recipients from Helena College accumulate an average of $17,556 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Helena College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 41% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #17, Utah State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. USU is a large public school situated in Logan, Utah. It awarded 1,092 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Utah pay an average of $8,305 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend USU. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $24,223. On average, associate degree students take out $15,964 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since USU does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #18, Pikes Peak Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the fairly large public school handed out 1,611 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Colorado who attend PPCC full time pay an average of $4,065 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,714. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,660 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at PPCC. In 2020-2021 about 51% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Northwest College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Powell, Wyoming is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 227 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Wyoming pay an average of $4,862 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Northwest Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,162. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,582 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Northwest Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Casper College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Casper, Wyoming, the small public school awarded 609 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,528 in tuition and fees if they attend Casper College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,568. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,545 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Casper College. In 2020-2021 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Pueblo Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Pueblo, Colorado, the medium-sized public school awarded 660 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Colorado who attend Pueblo Community College full time pay an average of $4,626 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,275. On average, associate degree students take out $14,253 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Pueblo Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Trinidad State Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Trinidad State Junior College is located in Trinidad, Colorado and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 241 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Colorado pay an average of $5,240 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Trinidad State Junior College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,360. Associate Degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College accumulate an average of $12,954 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Trinidad State Junior College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 15% took at least some of their classes online.
Front Range Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. FRCC is located in Westminster, Colorado and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,906 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $4,126 in tuition and fees if they attend FRCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,776. Associate Degree recipients from FRCC accumulate an average of $18,200 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at FRCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 33% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #24, Arapahoe Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Littleton, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 754 students in 2021-2022.
Students from Colorado who attend Arapahoe Community College full time pay an average of $4,080 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $15,502. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,611 in student loans.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Arapahoe Community College. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Montana State University - Northern did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list. This small public school is located in Havre, Montana, and it awarded 104 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Montana State University - Northern is $5,955. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $18,665. On average, associate degree students take out $21,483 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Montana State University - Northern does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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