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Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

67 Schools Ranked
$42,590 Average Earnings
$23,061 Avg Student Debt

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 Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 67 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

University of Providence

Great Falls, Montana
$49,532 Average Earnings
$21,640 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named University of Providence the best school in the Rocky Mountains Region for nursing students working on their degree.

Degree recipients from University of Providence accumulate an average of $21,640 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, University of Providence graduates make an average of $49,532 annually.

Read full report on University of Providence

#2

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah
$62,838 Average Earnings
$26,218 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Western Governors University is a great place for nursing students.

On average, students take out $26,218 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, WGU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,838 during the early year of their career.

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#3

Red Rocks Community College

Lakewood, Colorado
$53,516 Average Earnings
$17,601 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Red Rocks Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Rocky Mountains Region .

On average, students take out $17,601 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Red Rocks Community College graduates make an average of $53,516 annually.

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#4

Carroll College

Helena, Montana
$33,212 Average Earnings
$23,566 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Carroll College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,566 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Carroll Montana graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,212 during the early year of their career.

Full Carroll College Report

$56,691 Average Earnings
$28,012 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Rocky Mountains Region .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,012 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $251. Once they receive their degree, CU Anschutz graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,691 during the early year of their career.

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#6

Lewis - Clark State College

Lewiston, Idaho
$35,943 Average Earnings
$26,075 Avg Student Debt

Lewis - Clark State College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.

Degree recipients from Lewis - Clark State College accumulate an average of $26,075 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Lewis - Clark State College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,943 during the early years of their career.

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#7

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, Colorado
$40,180 Average Earnings
$23,336 Avg Student Debt

University of Northern Colorado came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,336 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $281.After graduating from University of Northern Colorado, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,180 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Northern Colorado

#8

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
$44,258 Average Earnings
$21,087 Avg Student Debt

University of Wyoming ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,087 in student loans. During the early years of their career, UW graduates make an average of $44,258 annually.

Full University of Wyoming Report

#9

Westminster College Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
$58,249 Average Earnings
$23,131 Avg Student Debt

Westminster College Utah came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking.

On average, students take out $23,131 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Westminster College Salt Lake graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,249 during the early year of their career.

Full Westminster College Utah Report

#10

Pikes Peak Community College

Colorado Springs, Colorado
$31,856 Average Earnings
$14,776 Avg Student Debt

Pikes Peak Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.

Degree recipients from PPCC accumulate an average of $14,776 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, PPCC graduates make an average of $31,856 annually.

Full Pikes Peak Community College Report

#11

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana
$42,198 Average Earnings
$24,435 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, Montana State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from MSU Bozeman accumulate an average of $24,435 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $305, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, MSU Bozeman graduates make an average of $42,198 annually.

Full Montana State University Report

#12

Utah State University

Logan, Utah
$42,623 Average Earnings
$18,083 Avg Student Debt

Utah State University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $18,083 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, USU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,623 during the early year of their career.

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#13

North Idaho College

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
$35,512 Average Earnings
$15,134 Avg Student Debt

North Idaho College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking.

Degree recipients from NIC accumulate an average of $15,134 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, NIC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,512 during the early year of their career.

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#14

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
$51,388 Average Earnings
$22,086 Avg Student Debt

University of Utah did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list.

Degree recipients from U of U accumulate an average of $22,086 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from U of U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,388 during the early years of their career.

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#15

Miles Community College

Miles City, Montana
$57,867 Average Earnings
$22,682 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, Miles Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from Miles Community College accumulate an average of $22,682 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Miles Community College graduates make an average of $57,867 annually.

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$63,042 Average Earnings
$22,903 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, Montana Technological University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,903 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Montana Tech graduates make an average of $63,042 annually.

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$49,029 Average Earnings
$30,603 Avg Student Debt

Northwest Nazarene University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #17 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,603 in student loans. During the early years of their career, NNU graduates make an average of $49,029 annually.

Full Northwest Nazarene University Report

#18

Boise State University

Boise, Idaho
$42,749 Average Earnings
$26,461 Avg Student Debt

Boise State University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from Boise State accumulate an average of $26,461 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $259.After graduating from Boise State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,749 during the early years of their career.

Full Boise State University Report

#19

Regis University

Denver, Colorado
$53,795 Average Earnings
$32,679 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #19, Regis University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,679 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $373, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Regis U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,795 during the early years of their career.

Full Regis University Report

#20

Laramie County Community College

Cheyenne, Wyoming
$50,717 Average Earnings
$15,916 Avg Student Debt

Laramie County Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.

Degree recipients from LCCC accumulate an average of $15,916 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from LCCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,717 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Laramie County Community College

$46,470 Average Earnings
$14,534 Avg Student Debt

Brigham Young University - Provo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list.

On average, students take out $14,534 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, BYU graduates make an average of $46,470 annually.

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#22

Otero Junior College

La Junta, Colorado
$47,585 Average Earnings
$22,822 Avg Student Debt

Otero Junior College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking.

Degree recipients from Otero JC accumulate an average of $22,822 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Otero JC graduates make an average of $47,585 annually.

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$41,648 Average Earnings
$23,399 Avg Student Debt

Montana State University - Billings came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking.

On average, students take out $23,399 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Montana State University - Billings graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,648 during the early year of their career.

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#24

College of Eastern Idaho

Idaho Falls, Idaho
$46,002 Average Earnings
$18,953 Avg Student Debt

College of Eastern Idaho came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,953 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CEI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,002 during the early year of their career.

Full College of Eastern Idaho Report

$42,728 Average Earnings
$24,825 Avg Student Debt

Colorado State University - Pueblo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list.

On average, students take out $24,825 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $194, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Colorado State University - Pueblo graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,728 during the early year of their career.

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View Best Nursing Schools Nationwide >

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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