Best BSN Programs in Colorado in 2024 (On-Campus & Online)

Looking for a nursing school in CO? You’re in luck. Colorado might seem like a big state, but in reality, much of the jurisdiction is open country, which is another aspect the state is geographically famous for. That said, the Rocky Mountain state does have a respectable offering of nursing higher education and BSN programs in Colorado. These range from basic starter training courses at community colleges to graduate degrees at the most prestigious universities in the state. The key factor to remember, however, is that while different schools have different reputations, every Colorado nursing school has to meet and provide a minimum level of training for nursing standards and licensing.

So, whichever path you choose as a certified nursing program, each school will provide that requisite education for the level of program accepted by the state licensing board. This list contains the best BSN nursing programs in Colorado. Whether you’re looking for a nursing program in Denver or another city in Colorado, you’ll be sure to find an option below.

Here are the current schools that are offering BSN programs in Colorado:

1. Arapahoe Community College

Situated in the Denver-Lakewood suburb area, Arapahoe Community College provides both a two-year and four-year nursing track, which is normally a bit unusual for a junior college level. The school provides a dedicated training program to ensure graduates are ready to hit the ground running in their hospital or clinic workplace with plenty of practical working knowledge.

• Cost per year – $3,677 (includes fees)
• Private or Public – Public
• Degree types – Associate in nursing, BSN

2. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Offering an RN-to-BSN path as a bachelor’s in nursing, Metro State is a great target for students who already have an associate degree and are looking to transfer into a BSN program versus doing a full four years. Whether you’re looking for traditional or accelerated BSN programs in Colorado, and dual enrollment for an RN/BSN, Metro State has what you’re looking for. Faculty emphasize specialization in a number of different disciplines, giving students the ability to begin practicing in specific areas early on.

• Cost per year – in-state $6,930 / out-of-state $20,096
• Private or Public – Public
• Degree types – BSN, BSN accelerated, RN-to-BSN

3. Colorado Mesa University

Offering three different programs and bachelor degree pathways to a BSN, Colorado Mesa University tends to attract a wide array of nursing students as a result. The school was established in 1925 and today it offers three programs (traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN, and LPN-to-BSN) to ensure that just about any applicant coming into the nursing program will leave with a full completion of the bachelor of nursing degree requirements at graduation.

• Cost per year – in-state $7,560 / out-of-state $19,516
• Private or Public – Public
• Degree types – BSN, RN-to-BSN, LPN-to-BSN

4. Adams State University

Providing a standard bachelors program in nursing, Adams State University ensures that nursing students have a full combination of practical training, textbook theory and experienced faculty with real-world experience. Graduates are ready and functional with a high level of professionalism and technical skill to hit the ground running in a medical facility when assigned. Graduates are specifically prepared for the NCLEX-RN exam.

• Cost per year – in-state $9,440/out-of-state $20,400 (both including fees)
• Private or Public – Public
• Degree types – BSN

5. Colorado State University – Pueblo

Obviously located in Pueblo, Colorado, Colorado State University – Pueblo School of Nursing provides a portfolio of bachelor degree paths for nursing, including a standard BSN path as well as an expedited choice which works well for those with an associate degree already. CSU-Pueblo makes a proactive focus in all of its nursing programs to produce a holistic health education versus old-style traditional medicine.

• Cost per year – in-state $10,090 / out-of-state $24,547 (both including fees)
• Private or Public – Public
• Degree types – BSN, accelerated BSN

6. University of Colorado

Interestingly enough, despite the fact that the University of Colorado is essentially a public higher education institution, it only offers one degree program as a bachelor’s path, but it’s still one of the best BSN programs in Colorado. The university’s core campus with the nursing school is located in the Denver Metro area, giving the program a close proximity to major medical institutions and big city health challenges training. This is critical for training in an urban setting, both in terms of clinical education and theory.

• Cost per year – in-state $11,531 / out-of-state $35,079 (both including fees)
• Private or Public – Public
• Degree types – BSN

7. Denver College of Nursing

Operating as a private institution and offering two degree paths, the Denver College of Nursing provides students a choice between the entry-quick-to-work level of an associate degree as well as the standard bachelor’s in nursing degree path. This is more than sufficient to prepare a student for graduate studies and a master’s degree as well. The school’s program emphasizes critical thinking skills under pressure and clinical aptitude in a practical setting.

• Cost per year – $18,400 (including fees)
• Private or Public – Private
• Degree types – Associate in Nursing, BSN

8. Platt College

Located in Aurora, Colorado, the college offers one of the best basic single accelerated BSN nursing programs in Colorado, lasting 36 months. The school is a small one, allowing more individual attention for each student, and has an annual graduation group of approximately 220. The Platt College program is founded on nursing informatics, evidence-based practice, and team-working practical training in a clinical setting. Combined with professional standards meeting any state nursing requirements, students have proven to be very ready for the NCLEX exam and licensing.

• Cost per year – $19,286
• Private or Public – Private
• Degree types – BSN

9. University of Colorado – Colorado Springs

The University of Colorado has a great campus for BSN programs in Colorado Springs. As one of a four-piece approach to public-funded research academic institutions in the University of Colorado system, the Colorado Springs campus provides a classroom home to over 12,500 students and almost 2,000 graduate students. The nursing school has been in practice for over 100 years, and it provides three different bachelor’s degree paths (accelerated, traditional and RN to BSN). The school is also home to a robust graduate studies program in nursing for those who want to continue to a higher level.

• Cost per year – in-state $25,114 / out-of-state $36,298
• Private or Public – Public
• Degree types – BSN, BSN accelerated, RN-to-BSN

10. Colorado Christian University

Colorado Christian University provides a private school approach to a nursing bachelor’s degree, as well as liberal arts criteria for general education and a religious slant as well. Nursing students who choose to attend CCU out of the rest of the BSN programs in Colorado will receive a solid education in labwork, skill training and practical enhancement, textbook theory, and clinic work.

• Cost per year – $29,360
• Private or Public – Private
• Degree types – BSN

11. University of Northern Colorado

Sitting in Denver Metro, the University of Northern Colorado provides a great location for training to be a nurse in an urban setting with real city issues. The location is a great place to go to school as well. UNC is situated in historic Greeley, and its nursing school has a strong reputation for producing generational leaders in healthcare and the nursing profession.

• Cost per year – $33,805 (includes fees)
• Private or Public – Public
• Degree types – BSN

12. Regis University

As a private university program, Regis provides students a liberal arts college curriculum combined with a bachelor’s nursing degree. The school combines practical training, college requirements and a nursing specialization with a religious studies component as well. A key attraction of the school is the fact that its BSN program is accelerated, reducing the amount of time a student is enrolled before licensing and hitting the job market.

• Cost per year – $35,260
• Private or Public – Private
• Degree types – BSN

Online Nursing Schools accessible in Colorado:

Maryville University

Designed to provide a quality nursing education 100 percent online, the Maryville University nursing program is intended to be a stepping-stone path for working nurses who already have an RN license and need an alternative to the traditionally scheduled classroom approach. Transfer credits are allowed and accepted for already-completed work, and the school is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

• Cost per year – $28,470 (including fees)
• Private or Public – Private
• Degree types – RN-to-BSN

Methodology

The above BSN programs in Colorado are ranked based on meeting the minimum requirement of the offering of a bachelor’s degree in nursing and then ranked on cost. Because the choices of traditional versus accelerated versus transfer varies so much from student to student, it would be moot to rank program offering criteria if it doesn’t matter to the student’s individual given pursuits.

All the BSN programs in Colorado listed meet state requirements necessary to be ready for licensing examination and preparation for the nursing work environment, and every institution listed has a strong reputation for producing viable graduates for the nursing market in Colorado. If you have more specific questions about individual schools listed or the information, feel free to contact us. We’d be glad to delve into a particular school further with you.