Best Value Registered Nursing Colleges in Colorado

Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs graduates earn $73,446 annually while carrying just $13,613 in debt, creating the strongest earnings-to-debt ratio among Colorado's 17 nursing programs. This stands in sharp contrast to community colleges like Pikes Peak State College, where net costs drop to $9,682 but earnings data remains unavailable. Colorado's healthcare sector benefits from major employers like Presbyterian Saint Joseph Hospital and the University of Colorado Hospital system, which actively recruit nurses trained in administration and clinical research roles. The state's public institutions offer particularly strong value, with Colorado State University Pueblo delivering $60,967 median earnings at a net cost of $12,948. Meanwhile, private options like Regis University command $22,689 annually but produce graduates earning $63,140 with a 61.1% graduation rate.

Programs

$6,342 – $42,287

Net Price Range

$61,853

Avg. Program Earnings

37.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, Colorado	$14,954	$73,446	$12,760	17.6%
2	Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, Colorado	$12,948	$60,967	$9,401	38.0%	98.8%
3	Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, Colorado	$14,294	$62,922	$10,780	29.9%	97.9%
4	Adams State University Alamosa, Colorado	$14,173	$57,318	$9,776	31.6%	99.2%
5	Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, Colorado	$15,331	$60,746	$9,712	41.5%	81.8%
6	University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, Colorado	$16,431	$59,441	$9,712	45.3%	84.8%
7	University of Northern Colorado Greeley, Colorado	$18,457	$57,995	$12,010	51.3%	78.5%
8	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, Colorado	$19,133	$59,547	$10,017	47.4%	74.6%
9	Regis University Denver, Colorado	$22,689	$63,140	$43,980	61.1%	76.1%
10	Colorado Christian University Lakewood, Colorado	$25,458	$63,005	$39,266	55.3%
11	Platt College-Aurora Greenwood Village, Colorado	$42,287		$20,590	20.0%	64.7%
12	Pueblo Community College Pueblo, Colorado	$11,063		$4,883	37.5%
13	Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs, Colorado	$9,682		$4,302	23.0%
14	Morgan Community College Fort Morgan, Colorado	$7,161		$4,127	46.1%
15	Front Range Community College Westminster, Colorado	$10,854		$4,740	30.1%
16	Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs, Colorado	$6,342		$2,700	25.9%
17	Arapahoe Community College Littleton, Colorado	$10,790		$4,308	26.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $29,339 earnings gap between the highest and lowest paying programs?

Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs leads at $73,446 while Adams State University graduates start at $57,318. This difference often reflects geographic factors, with Colorado Springs offering proximity to military healthcare facilities and Denver's larger hospital systems. The technical university's focus on healthcare technology integration may also command higher starting salaries in administrative and research nursing roles.

How do community college nursing programs compare to four-year institutions in Colorado?

Community colleges like Morgan Community College cost just $7,161 net annually with a 46.1% graduation rate, making them the most affordable entry point. However, these programs typically prepare students for associate degree nursing roles rather than the bachelor's level positions required for nursing administration and research. Four-year programs cost $12,948 to $25,458 but offer pathways to leadership positions.

Is the $42,287 cost at Platt College-Aurora justified by career outcomes?

Platt College-Aurora charges the highest net price among Colorado nursing programs but lacks published earnings data, making value assessment difficult. With a 20% graduation rate and $41,237 median debt, students face significant financial risk. Public alternatives like University of Colorado Denver offer comparable training at $19,133 with $59,547 median earnings and a 47.4% graduation rate.

Where do Colorado nursing graduates find the best employment opportunities?

Denver's Anschutz Medical Campus and Colorado Springs' military healthcare facilities offer the strongest job markets for nursing administration and research positions. The Front Range corridor between Boulder and Colorado Springs concentrates 80% of the state's healthcare employment. Rural areas like Pueblo and Grand Junction provide opportunities but typically at lower salary ranges, though cost of living adjustments can improve overall value.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.