2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Colorado
Looking for the best-value Nursing degree programs in Colorado? This list ranks 86 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Nursing Degree Search analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in Colorado
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is Red Rocks Community College, our #1 best-value Nursing school in Colorado. Based in Lakewood, CO, Red Rocks Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. The median Nursing program debt is $14,471. Red Rocks Community College alumni report median earnings of $46,288 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,471 median debt. See the full Red Rocks Community College profile
Aims Community College came in at #2 on this year's best-value Nursing ranking in Colorado. Based in Greeley, CO, Aims Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Graduates carry a median of $11,199 in student loans. Median earnings reach $41,887 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Aims Community College profile
Out of the 21 schools in Colorado in this year's value ranking, Pikes Peak Community College landed the #3 spot. Pikes Peak Community College is a public school based in Colorado Springs, CO. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,066 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Pikes Peak Community College report
A rank of #4 makes Otero Junior College one of the best values in Colorado. Set in La Junta, CO, Otero Junior College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,270. The median Nursing program debt is $21,759. Otero Junior College alumni report median earnings of $39,018 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Otero Junior College report
A rank of #5 makes Morgan Community College one of the best values in Colorado. Set in Fort Morgan, CO, Morgan Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,252, compared with $16,852 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,746 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,429. Set against $11,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Morgan Community College
Colorado Northwestern Community College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Located in Rangely, CO, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,594, while out-of-state students pay about $7,304. Colorado Northwestern Community College Nursing students take on a median of $18,127 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,526. Set against $18,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Colorado Northwestern Community College profile
Front Range Community College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Westminster, CO. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Graduates carry a median of $17,384 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,910. Set against $17,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Front Range Community College
Trinidad State Junior College placed #8 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. Located in Trinidad, CO, Trinidad State Junior College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,608, while out-of-state students pay about $7,318. The median Nursing program debt is $10,502. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Trinidad State Junior College
Lamar Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Located in Lamar, CO, Lamar Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,550, compared with $7,260 for out-of-state students. Lamar Community College Nursing students take on a median of $9,300 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,719. Set against $9,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Lamar Community College
Arapahoe Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Littleton, CO, Arapahoe Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,434, while out-of-state students pay about $17,034. Students borrow a median of $20,448 to complete their Nursing program here. Arapahoe Community College alumni report median earnings of $48,341 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Arapahoe Community College
Colorado Mountain College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Colorado Mountain College is a public school based in Glenwood Springs, CO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,127. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt. Get the full Colorado Mountain College report
Pueblo Community College placed #12 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. This public school is set in Pueblo, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $5,049, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Pueblo Community College Nursing students take on a median of $14,106 in debt. Pueblo Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,434 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,106 median debt. Read more about Pueblo Community College
University Of Colorado Denver placed #13 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. University Of Colorado Denver is a public school based in Denver, CO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,270 ten years after entry. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 75% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Colorado Denver
Community College Of Denver placed #14 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. Based in Denver, CO, Community College Of Denver is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Median earnings reach $39,095 ten years out. Set against $18,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Community College Of Denver profile
University Of Northern Colorado placed #15 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. This public school is set in Greeley, CO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. University Of Northern Colorado Nursing students take on a median of $23,974 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Colorado has an acceptance rate of 86%. Get the full University Of Northern Colorado report
Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #16 spot for value in Colorado this year. Based in Pueblo, CO, Colorado State University Pueblo is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Students borrow a median of $25,325 to complete their Nursing program here. Colorado State University Pueblo alumni report median earnings of $55,563 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 95% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Colorado State University Pueblo
Mesa State College landed the #17 spot for value in Colorado this year. This public school is set in Grand Junction, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Graduates carry a median of $22,310 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,823 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Mesa State College
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a public school based in Colorado Springs, CO. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Typical Nursing student debt is $23,559. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants. Get the full University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs report
Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs landed the #19 spot for value in Colorado this year. Set in Colorado Springs, CO, Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750. Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs Nursing students take on a median of $39,095 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,180. That is a strong return on a $39,095 median debt. More on Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs
Regis University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Denver, CO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,140. Typical Nursing student debt is $31,773. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,105 ten years after entry. Set against $31,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. More on Regis University
Colorado Christian University placed #21 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. Located in Lakewood, CO, Colorado Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,846. The median Nursing program debt is $36,092. Median earnings reach $50,416 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Colorado Christian University report
Denver School Of Nursing placed #22 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. Get the full Denver School Of Nursing report
Pima Medical Institute Aurora ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read more about Pima Medical Institute Aurora
Rolf Institute Of Structural Integration landed the #24 spot for value in Colorado this year. Get the full Rolf Institute Of Structural Integration report
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read the full report on Colorado School Of Mines
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in Colorado
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
International Salon And Spa Academy placed #26 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. More on International Salon And Spa Academy
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Colorado Springs placed #27 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. See the full Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Colorado Springs profile
Western State College Of Colorado landed the #28 spot for value in Colorado this year. More on Western State College Of Colorado
Colorado Media School placed #29 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. Read more about Colorado Media School
Delta Montrose Technical College landed the #30 spot for value in Colorado this year. More on Delta Montrose Technical College
Iliff School Of Theology ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read the full report on Iliff School Of Theology
Colorado College
Colorado College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. More on Colorado College
Emily Griffith Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Get the full Emily Griffith Technical College report
University Of Colorado Boulder offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. See the full University Of Colorado Boulder profile
Nazarene Bible College placed #35 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. Read more about Nazarene Bible College
Redstone College
Redstone College placed #36 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. Get the full Redstone College report
Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design placed #37 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. Get the full Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design report
Bel Rea Institute Of Animal Technology ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Get the full Bel Rea Institute Of Animal Technology report
Institute Of Taoist Education And Acupuncture placed #39 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. Read the full report on Institute Of Taoist Education And Acupuncture
Xenon International Academy Denver came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. See the full Xenon International Academy Denver profile
Colorado Academy Of Veterinary Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. More on Colorado Academy Of Veterinary Technology
Colorado State University Global Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about Colorado State University Global Campus
Colorado State University System Office ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. See the full Colorado State University System Office profile
Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on Auguste Escoffier School Of Culinary Arts Boulder
United Beauty College landed the #45 spot for value in Colorado this year. Read the full report on United Beauty College
Casa Loma College Aurora offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. More on Casa Loma College Aurora
Colorado School Of Traditional Chinese Medicine offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. See the full Colorado School Of Traditional Chinese Medicine profile
University Of Denver placed #48 among the best-value Nursing schools in Colorado. Get the full University Of Denver report
Rocky Vista University offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. More on Rocky Vista University
Montessori Education Center Of The Rockies ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. More on Montessori Education Center Of The Rockies
More Nursing Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 21 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 86 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
NursingDegreeSearch.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© NursingDegreeSearch.com – All Rights Reserved.