2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. This report analyzed 35 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for nursing students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Otero Junior College to be the best value school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Rocky Mountains Region . La Junta, Colorado is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Otero JC are $6,563 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $30,299 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Otero JC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 28% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Otero JC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means College of Eastern Idaho is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. CEI is located in Idaho Falls, Idaho and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 associate degrees to qualified students.
CEI undergraduate students pay an average of $6,222 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $23,007 in loans while pursuing their degree.
CEI does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 76% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Colorado Northwestern Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Rangely, Colorado is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CNCC are $6,596 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,852 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CNCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 25% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means College of Western Idaho is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Nampa, Idaho is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.
CWI undergraduate students pay an average of $7,344 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,617 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at CWI. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, CWI also is in the top 20% of our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking.
The excellent associate degree programs at Trinidad State Junior College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . Trinidad State Junior College is located in Trinidad, Colorado and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 associate degrees to qualified students.
Trinidad State Junior College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,631 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,101 in student loans.
Trinidad State Junior College 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 2019-2020 about 17% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #6, Lamar Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. LCC is a very small public school situated in Lamar, Colorado. It awarded 15 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
LCC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,592 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,226 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at LCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 21% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
North Idaho College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the small public school handed out 64 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
NIC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,736 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,016 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since NIC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.
NIC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
With a ranking of #8, College of Southern Idaho did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. College of Southern Idaho is located in Twin Falls, Idaho and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 82 associate degrees to qualified students.
College of Southern Idaho undergraduate students pay an average of $6,840 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,921 in loans while pursuing their degree.
College of Southern Idaho does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 41% took at least some of their classes online.
Northeastern Junior College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. NJC is located in Sterling, Colorado and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NJC are $7,544 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,100 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at NJC. In 2019-2020 about 20% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #9, Miles Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. This very small public school is located in Miles City, Montana, and it awarded 24 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Miles Community College are $9,840 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,682 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Miles Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Miles Community College also made our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list, coming in at #3.
Casper College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Casper College is located in Casper, Wyoming and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Casper College are $8,520 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,284 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Casper College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 52% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #12, Helena College University of Montana did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Helena, Montana, and it awarded 32 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Helena College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,570 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,735 in student loans.
Helena College 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 40% took at least some of their classes online.
Laramie County Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Laramie County Community College is a small public school located in Cheyenne, Wyoming that handed out 61 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
LCCC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,913 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,970 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at LCCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 45% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, LCCC also is in the top 15% of our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking.
Western Wyoming Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. This small public school is located in Rock Springs, Wyoming, and it awarded 36 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WWCC are $8,640 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,238 in student loans.
Online courses are available at WWCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Northern Wyoming Community College District came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Northern Wyoming Community College District is located in Sheridan, Wyoming and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 associate degrees to qualified students.
Northern Wyoming Community College District undergraduate students pay an average of $10,890 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,163 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Northern Wyoming Community College District does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 37% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Colorado Mountain College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Colorado Mountain College is a public institution located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 50 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Colorado Mountain College are $11,484 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,827 in student loans.
Colorado Mountain College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 33% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Northwest College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Powell, Wyoming, the small public school handed out 28 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northwest Community College are $11,162 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,640 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Northwest Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Aims Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Greeley, Colorado, the medium-sized public school handed out 27 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Aims Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,418 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,360 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Aims Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 83% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #19, Salt Lake Community College did quite well on this year’s best value 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 245 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Salt Lake Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $12,734 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,550 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Salt Lake Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its great value ranking, Salt Lake Community College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
Central Wyoming College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Riverton, Wyoming, the small public school awarded 30 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CWC are $10,980 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,449 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that CWC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Eastern Wyoming College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Eastern Wyoming College is a small public school situated in Torrington, Wyoming. It awarded 14 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Eastern Wyoming College are $10,590 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,650 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Eastern Wyoming College 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 34% took at least some of their classes online.
Morgan Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Fort Morgan, Colorado, the small public school handed out 26 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Morgan Community College are $15,274 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,598 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Morgan Community College. In fact, around 68% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #22, Weber State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Ogden, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 335 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WSU are $16,644 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,128 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WSU does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
WSU not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
Utah Valley University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Orem, Utah, the large public school handed out 104 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
UVU undergraduate students pay an average of $17,092 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,381 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UVU. In 2019-2020 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
UVU also made our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list, coming in at #4.
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the fairly large public school handed out 94 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at PPCC are $15,403 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,176 in student loans.
PPCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 47% 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
- 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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