10 Best Nursing Schools in Colorado

Adams State University is tucked between the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges. Adams State University offers the benefits of a public school (i.e., in-state tuition) but with the small class sizes you’d expect to find at a private school. This means that their BSN program is going to have smaller, more intimate classes than other Colorado schools.

Along with preparing you for the NCLEX, Adams also introduces nurses to the National Student Nurses Association, a group that can help launch your career once you graduate. The program boasts a 95% employment of graduates 90 days upon graduation and 95% of graduates felt they were adequately prepared to practice as a nurse generalist upon graduation.

The University of Colorado system extends to cities across the state, but if you’re interested in nursing, you’ll likely study in Denver’s state’s capital. The UC Denver BSN program is a 24-month degree option that includes summer education, so you can expect to be studying full-time during those two years. This takes place after your first two years of school, and it isn’t uncommon for students to begin their studies at a UC school in a different city. The work can be demanding, but you’ll be set to take the NCLEX by the time you graduate!

CTU offers a fully online RN-to-BSN bridge program. The flexible class schedule allows ADN-trained nurses to continue working while earning their bachelor's. Throughout the program, students will take 180 credits in accelerated 5-week courses. 

Although students enjoy online coursework, they will have to complete some in-person clinical requirements at local healthcare facilities. By the program's end, students will build upon their foundational nursing education and work experience to prepare for more responsibility as nursing leaders. 

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is the only UC school outside of Denver that offers a BSN program. Students will earn their degree in beautiful Colorado Springs and receive one of the most comprehensive nursing educations available in the state.

Students won’t be in their nursing courses until the second semester when they join either the fall or spring cohort, depending on when they apply. From there, you’ll work toward your degree, complete with clinicals throughout your senior year. UC has a state-of-the-art Simulation Learning Center that trains nursing students on real-life scenarios and boasts partnerships with hundreds of hospitals across Colorado and multiple healthcare agencies. 

Before you apply to Aspen University’s BSN pre-licensure program, you should know that even though this is a Colorado school, the entire program is offered at the Arizona campus. Yes, you’ll study in Arizona and be connected with some of the best hospitals in the greater Phoenix area. So, you’ll still get a quality education and be lined up for a potential career right out of school. Perhaps the only downside is that the BSN pre-licensure program costs much more than any other undergraduate program at Aspen. However, students are rewarded with a quality education. 

Regis University is a small Jesuit school located in Denver. As a private school, a higher tuition rate is expected; however, students will benefit from a lower student-to-faculty ratio. For nursing students pursuing a BSN, that means more individual attention during classes.

Once nursing students reach junior and senior years, they’ll start to spend time working in local hospitals to gain clinical experience. One big part of Regis’ nursing curriculum is Service Learning, which combines nursing education with volunteer work. With plenty of degree options and a high NCLEX pass rate, this is a good school for anyone interested in a private Catholic education.

Affordability is a huge draw for Colorado Mountain College. The school recently avoided raising its tuition, and while in-state students get low tuition, students from the nearby area get access to even lower tuition.

Although CMC no longer offers an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree, it does offer a traditional BSN and an online RN to BSN pathway. The school also boasts an 89% first-time NCLEX pass rate, higher than the national average.

Colorado Mesa University prides itself on selectivity, which could be an issue for students looking to be accepted into the BSN program. But there’s a good reason for the tough competition applicants face. It’s a quality program and perhaps the best that students can find in Western Colorado. Any current RNs can also take advantage of their online RN to BSN option. There is also an LPN to BSN program available to students.

While the University of Northern Colorado is primarily a graduate school, nursing students can still find a quality BSN program. Designed to be completed over nine semesters, the BSN adequately prepares students for the NCLEX.

However, the program's real goal is to set students up to continue their education and earn a graduate degree in nursing. While this is not required, any future nurses who know they want to earn their master’s (MSN) or doctorate (DNP) may want to circle this school on their list.

As the name implies, Colorado Christian University is a religious institution. This impacts some of the courses required for the BSN degree. For example, students will be taught with a holistic approach, emphasizing compassion and morality. Of course, this won’t impact the quality of the BSN as a vast majority of graduates pass the NCLEX. CCU structured its BSN program for adults who aren’t already RNs but have previous work experience, although the program is also available to traditional students.