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Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Colorado

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2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Colorado

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

12 Schools Ranked
$11,118 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$23,730 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. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Colorado ranking. This report analyzed 12 schools in Colorado 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.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Colorado

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Aims Community College

Greeley, Colorado
27 Total Awards
$10,418 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Aims Community College to be the best value school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in Colorado. Aims Community College is located in Greeley, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Aims Community College are $10,418 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $16,360 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

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.

Read full report on Aims Community College

#2

Otero Junior College

La Junta, Colorado
74 Total Awards
$6,563 Average Tuition & Fees

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 who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in La Junta, Colorado, the small public school awarded 74 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Otero JC are $6,563 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,299 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Otero JC. In fact, around 28% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Otero JC also took the #1 spot in our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Colorado rankings.

Read full report on Otero Junior College

#3

Morgan Community College

Fort Morgan, Colorado
26 Total Awards
$15,274 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent associate degree programs at Morgan Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Colorado. Morgan Community College is located in Fort Morgan, Colorado and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 associate degrees to qualified students.

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.

Morgan Community 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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 68% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Morgan Community College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Colorado list.

Read full report on Morgan Community College

#4

Pikes Peak Community College

Colorado Springs, Colorado
94 Total Awards
$15,403 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Pikes Peak Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. This fairly large public school is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and it awarded 94 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at PPCC are $15,403 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,176 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at PPCC. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

PPCC also made our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Colorado list, coming in at #5.

Read full report on Pikes Peak Community College

17 Total Awards
$6,596 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Colorado Northwestern Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Colorado list. This small public school is located in Rangely, Colorado, and it awarded 17 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

CNCC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,596 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,852 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CNCC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 25% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

CNCC not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Colorado list.

Full Colorado Northwestern Community College Report

#6

Front Range Community College

Westminster, Colorado
112 Total Awards
$15,454 Average Tuition & Fees

Front Range Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. FRCC is a public institution located in Westminster, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 112 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

FRCC undergraduate students pay an average of $15,454 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $23,281 in loans while pursuing their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since FRCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 38% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Front Range Community College Report

#7

Arapahoe Community College

Littleton, Colorado
39 Total Awards
$15,502 Average Tuition & Fees

Arapahoe Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Arapahoe Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Littleton, Colorado. It awarded 39 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Arapahoe Community College are $15,502 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,064 in student loans.

Arapahoe Community 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. 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.

Read full report on Arapahoe Community College

#8

Trinidad State Junior College

Trinidad, Colorado
37 Total Awards
$6,631 Average Tuition & Fees

Trinidad State Junior College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. 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.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Trinidad State Junior College are $6,631 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,101 in student loans.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Trinidad State Junior College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 17% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Trinidad State Junior College Report

#9

Lamar Community College

Lamar, Colorado
15 Total Awards
$6,592 Average Tuition & Fees

Lamar Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. This very small public school is located in Lamar, Colorado, and it awarded 15 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LCC are $6,592 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,226 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at LCC. In 2019-2020 about 21% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Lamar Community College

#10

Colorado Mountain College

Glenwood Springs, Colorado
50 Total Awards
$11,484 Average Tuition & Fees

Colorado Mountain College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Colorado ranking. Colorado Mountain College is a medium-sized public school situated in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. 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. On average, associate degree students take out $16,827 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Colorado Mountain College. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Colorado Mountain College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Colorado list.

Read More…

#11

Pueblo Community College

Pueblo, Colorado
145 Total Awards
$15,958 Average Tuition & Fees

Pueblo Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Colorado ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Pueblo, Colorado, and it awarded 145 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Pueblo Community College are $15,958 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,779 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Pueblo Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 35% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Pueblo Community College Report

#12

Northeastern Junior College

Sterling, Colorado
22 Total Awards
$7,544 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeastern Junior College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Northeastern Junior College is a small public school located in Sterling, Colorado that handed out 22 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

NJC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,544 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,100 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NJC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 20% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Northeastern Junior College

Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 12 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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