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Best Nursing Schools in Colorado

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Colorado

21 Schools Ranked
$43,554 Average Earnings
$24,662 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which nursing program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Nursing Schools in Colorado to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 21 schools in Colorado to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in Colorado

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Red Rocks Community College

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

Our analysis found Red Rocks Community College to be the best school for nursing students in Colorado.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,601 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Red Rocks Community College graduates make an average of $53,516 annually.

Read full report on Red Rocks Community College

$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 #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Colorado.

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. During the early years of their career, CU Anschutz graduates make an average of $56,691 annually.

Read full report on University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

#3

University of Northern Colorado

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Northern Colorado. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Colorado list.

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. During the early years of their career, University of Northern Colorado graduates make an average of $40,180 annually.

Full University of Northern Colorado Report

#4

Pikes Peak Community College

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

The excellent programs at Pikes Peak Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Colorado.

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.

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#5

Regis University

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

The excellent programs at Regis University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Colorado.

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. Once they receive their degree, Regis U graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,795 during the early year of their career.

Full Regis University Report

#6

Otero Junior College

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

Otero Junior College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Colorado list.

Degree recipients from Otero JC accumulate an average of $22,822 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Otero JC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,585 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Otero Junior College

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

With a ranking of #7, Colorado State University - Pueblo did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

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.After graduating from Colorado State University - Pueblo, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,728 during the early years of their career.

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$49,482 Average Earnings
$36,481 Avg Student Debt

Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Colorado list.

On average, students take out $36,481 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $170 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,482 during the early years of their career.

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$45,648 Average Earnings
$17,389 Avg Student Debt

Colorado Northwestern Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Colorado ranking.

On average, students take out $17,389 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, CNCC graduates make an average of $45,648 annually.

Read full report on Colorado Northwestern Community College

#10

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, Colorado
$44,256 Average Earnings
$24,627 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs 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 $24,627 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $289 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UCCS, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,256 during the early years of their career.

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#11

Morgan Community College

Fort Morgan, Colorado
$42,671 Average Earnings
$14,537 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, Morgan Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from Morgan Community College accumulate an average of $14,537 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Morgan Community College graduates make an average of $42,671 annually.

Full Morgan Community College Report

#12

Colorado Mountain College

Glenwood Springs, Colorado
$44,074 Average Earnings
$16,264 Avg Student Debt

Colorado Mountain College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list.

Degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College accumulate an average of $16,264 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Colorado Mountain College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,074 during the early years of their career.

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#13

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, Colorado
$38,493 Average Earnings
$23,997 Avg Student Debt

Colorado Mesa University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list.

On average, students take out $23,997 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $176. During the early years of their career, Colorado Mesa graduates make an average of $38,493 annually.

Read full report on Colorado Mesa University

#14

Trinidad State Junior College

Trinidad, Colorado
$38,359 Average Earnings
$12,844 Avg Student Debt

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

On average, students take out $12,844 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Trinidad State Junior College graduates make an average of $38,359 annually.

Full Trinidad State Junior College Report

#15

Front Range Community College

Westminster, Colorado
$36,174 Average Earnings
$20,922 Avg Student Debt

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

Degree recipients from FRCC accumulate an average of $20,922 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from FRCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,174 during the early years of their career.

Full Front Range Community College Report

#16

Aims Community College

Greeley, Colorado
$37,230 Average Earnings
$15,026 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, Aims Community College 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 $15,026 in student loans.After graduating from Aims Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,230 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Aims Community College

#17

Lamar Community College

Lamar, Colorado
$35,899 Average Earnings
$19,226 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, Lamar Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from LCC accumulate an average of $19,226 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, LCC graduates make an average of $35,899 annually.

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#18

Pueblo Community College

Pueblo, Colorado
$39,357 Average Earnings
$16,642 Avg Student Debt

Pueblo Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Colorado ranking.

On average, students take out $16,642 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Pueblo Community College graduates make an average of $39,357 annually.

Read full report on Pueblo Community College

#19

Arapahoe Community College

Littleton, Colorado
$38,257 Average Earnings
$19,702 Avg Student Debt

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

On average, students take out $19,702 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Arapahoe Community College graduates make an average of $38,257 annually.

Full Arapahoe Community College Report

#20

Colorado Christian University

Lakewood, Colorado
$42,552 Average Earnings
$38,001 Avg Student Debt

Colorado Christian University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $38,001 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $366 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, CCU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,552 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Colorado Christian University

#21

Community College of Denver

Denver, Colorado
$38,525 Average Earnings
$19,587 Avg Student Debt

Community College of Denver came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Colorado ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,587 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CCD graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,525 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 21 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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