Best Nursing Schools in Colorado Springs in 2024 (On-Campus & Online)

If you’re looking for a nursing program in Colorado, you’ve come to the right place. Nursing is a career that might not be ideal for all. Nurses need to be detail-oriented, driven, compassionate, and able to think on the spot to solve difficult issues that might pop up. But nursing can be incredibly rewarding and can make a huge difference in the lives of the people you treat as well as your own life! Keeping this in mind, there are tons of different reasons why someone might want to become a nurse. Being part of the healthcare field provides many different opportunities for advancement, opens up a range of different places where you can work, and changes up the options when it comes to the day-to-day tasks that you might be doing. Graduating from one of the nursing schools in Colorado Springs and the surrounding area will help you on your way to a great salary and a fulfilling career.

As a nurse, you will be expected to be proficient in performing many different tasks. Nurses are expected to be able to work with doctors, relay to patients what doctors are doing, talk about medical procedures with patients and co-workers, and talk to patients about their current treatment(s). Nurses are also needed to administer medication, perform or assist in small medical procedures, and provide bedside care to help make sure patients feel like they are safe and comfortable as they recover.

Nurses are one of the most sought after professionals with the average nurse making well over $40,000 per year with locally higher averages depending on where you work, what state you are located in, and any specialties that you might have achieved through additional education.

For those that want to be a nurse, most programs are going to require first and foremost that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Completing general education courses may help you get started faster on your education toward becoming a nurse. In order to be an RN, you will have to take the NCLEX-RN test that certifies you both in your state as well as nationally so that you can practice in the United States. Nursing is a wonderful career that is always in demand and always needed and therefore a wonderful opportunity for anyone that wants a fulfilling career. Whether you’re looking for a BSN program in Colorado or another type of nursing program you’ll be sure to find an option here.

The best nursing schools in Colorado Springs, CO in 2024

1. Pikes Peak Community College, Colorado Springs

PPCC is one of the best accredited nursing schools in Colorado Springs. It’s a wonderful two-year college that can truly get you on your way to becoming a registered nurse so that you can get the best education possible. They have a hands-on program that has all the best new technology and they also help with career placement after you graduate.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates of 98%
• Program Length or Credit Hours depends on the program chosen, they do offer an RN to BSN program, an LPN to RN Bridge, nursing assistant, and pre-nursing as well to prepare you for your nursing career.
• Admission Requirements are that students must have a high school diploma or a GED and it is recommended that they have at least some of their general education classes completed prior to applying to the program.
• Tuition is $3,536 per semester for in-state students but financial aid is available to those that qualify.
• Accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

2. University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

The University of Colorado is a four-year college and they offer a range of different degrees to help you to attain your goals and become the nurse you want to be. This definitely qualifies them as one of the best nursing schools in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94% (2019)
• Advanced Practice Certification Pass Rate: 95-100%.
• Program Length or Credit Hours depends on the program you choose. They offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), an accelerated bachelor’s degree in nursing, RN to BSN program and Dual Enrollment option, MSN Nurse Practitioner, DNP in nursing, and BSN to DNP.
• Admission Requirements vary by degree program, but generally include official transcripts and completion of prerequisite courses before admission. The RN to BSN programs do not require completion of prerequisites before admission.
• Tuition is $16,000 per year with financial aid available to those that qualify. Tuition for the RN to BSN is a fixed rate of $11,000 for 30 total credits including fees.
• Accredited with Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
• Online coursework and flexible schedules are available for many programs.

3. Denver College of Nursing, Denver, CO

The Denver College of Nursing is a two-year college that offers some great options as far as your degree goes. It offers a bachelor’s of nursing degree, an associate of nursing degree, and a master’s in nursing degree.  Its hands-on facility is beautiful and scenic and will help you feel comfortable and empowered as you strive to become the nurse you want to be.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates 85%
• Program Length or Credit Hours depend on the program that you choose but they do offer two-year, three-year, and master’s programs as well.
• Admission Requirements are that you are 18 or older, have a GED or a high school diploma, that you pass the entrance exam for the program, and meet the general requirements for GPA and previous classes that you have taken.
• Tuition varies and you can apply for financial aid.
• Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

4. Front Range Community College – Larimer

FRCC offers a wonderful program that is hands-on and allows students to see just what the career of a nurse is really like and what they can expect to be doing in the healthcare field.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates is 100%
• Program Length or Credit Hours depend on what program you choose. FRCC offers a practical nursing certificate as well as a nursing Associate of Applied Science RN/ADN degree.
• Admission Requirements are that students must be dually enrolled in the four-year degree and the program with Larimer. They must also be a high school graduate or have a GED and must have met the general education requirements for the program.
• Tuition is around $10,000 for two years.
• Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

5. Colorado Mountain College

Colorado Mountain College is one of the top-performing nursing programs in the country and definitely one of the best nursing schools in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. They focus on patient-centered care and a hands-on approach to teaching so that you can gain valuable knowledge and experiences before you ever accept your first job as a nurse.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates 92%
• Program Length or Credit Hours varies depending on how much you have completed before you enter and what program you chose. They offer an AAS nursing program, bachelor of science nursing, and a BSN bridge program as well.
• Admission Requirements are that students be 18 years or older and that you have a high school diploma or GED. You are also going to be required to take an entrance exam and to fill out an application.
• Tuition varies but you can get financial aid to help with the overall costs.
• Accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

6. University of Northern Colorado

You’ll find a highly supportive atmosphere at the University of Northern Colorado, a place where you can expect to earn the best education possible. They offer a couple of different nursing degree options including a bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as a DNP and APRN certificate.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates 87%
• Program Length or Credit Hours varies based on what program you choose and if you come into the program with priorly completed classes or education.
• Admission Requirements are that students must be 18 or older and have a GED or a high school diploma as well as having completed general education requirements.
• Tuition is $465 per credit hour.
• Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

7. Trinidad State-Valley Campus

Trinidad State – Valley Campus offers a huge range of program options to choose from including an associate degree, LPN to ADN, dual enrollment toward a BSN and a practical nursing certificate.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates 100%
• Program Length or Credit Hours depend on the program chosen but most students can complete their degree in two years or less. It may take longer for students doing dual enrollment for the four-year degree.
• Admission Requirements are that students must be 18 or older, have a GED or high school diploma, and must also meet the admission requirements of the college and nursing program. Students also need their CPR certification and other paperwork to be submitted.
• Tuition is $4,173 for in-state students for one year. Financial aid is available for those that qualify.
• Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing as well as the Colorado State Board of Nursing and the Colorado Community College System.

8. Arapahoe Community College

Arapahoe Community College offers a few different options when it comes to their nursing degrees. They have a nursing AAS or RN program, a practical nursing certificate, and an RN to BSN completion program as well.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates 96%
• Program Length or Credit Hours depend on the program chosen but you will have the chance to complete the program within two years.
• Admission Requirements are that students be 18 or older and have a GED or a High School diploma. You may have a shorter degree course if you have already gotten some of your education done or if you have an active RN license.
• Tuition is around $7,000 per year.
• Accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

9. Colorado Christian University

CCU is a Christian university that offers a range of degrees and certificates that are all patient-centered and that are geared toward creating compassionate and caring nurses.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates of 87%
• Program Length or Credit Hours depends on the program chosen as they do offer a few different options. They offer an ADN, BSN, MSN, an emphasis on nursing education and even a nursing specialty in geriatric patients. They also offer online classes and online options for students that are non-traditional.
• Admission Requirements are that students be 18 or older, have a GED or a high school diploma, and complete the prerequisite requirements for the program.
• Tuition is around $29,000 with most students qualifying for financial aid.
• Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

10. Regis University

Regis University is highly respected in terms of healthcare education and they offer a traditional BSN as well as an accelerated BSN program.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates 93%
• Program Length or Credit Hours are 59 for the BSN program but you may not have to take all the classes with Regis if you have some transfer credits from other colleges or from your prerequisites.
• Admission Requirements are going to vary by what program you choose. You have to be 18 or older and have a GED or a high school diploma and you’ll also need to have your prerequisite courses completed prior to applying.
• Tuition is $1,300 per credit hour with a price reduction after 12 hours of simultaneous enrollment.
• Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

11. Aims Community College

Aims Community College is one of the best nursing schools in Colorado Springs and the surrounding area. They offer a range of different options for your degree. They offer a technology-based program that is also focused on making sure that students are ready to become the nurses they have always wanted to be.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates 95%
• Program Length or Credit Hours depends on what program you choose. They offer a peri-op program for those that are already nurses and a nursing AAS program as well.
• Admission Requirements are that students are 18 or older and that they have a GED or diploma. Students should also have their prerequisite courses taken care of prior to applying.
• Tuition varies and there is financial aid available to those that qualify.
• Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

12. Pueblo Community College

Pueblo Community College offers smaller class sizes for a more hands-on, individual approach. They have both full time and part-time course loads as well as online classes for some options.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates 80%
• Program Length or Credit Hours vary but most programs are around four semesters long. If you have some of the content done beforehand you can get your degree done faster.
• Admission Requirements are that students must be 18 or older, have a GED or a high school diploma, and completed prerequisite courses.
• Tuition is $75 per credit hour.
• Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

13. Morgan Community College

Morgan Community College offers an associate degree in nursing, a bachelor’s degree in nursing, as well as an LPN to ADN program and a practical nursing certificate.

• NCLEX-RN Pass Rates of 85%
• Program Length or Credit Hours vary depending on what you bring with you to the program and what program you choose overall.
• Admission Requirements are that students must be 18 or older, have a GED or a high school diploma, and meet the general education requirements for the program and the college.
• Tuition is $3,494 for in-state students and $13,688 for out-of-state students for a year.
• Accredited by the Colorado State Board of Nursing as well as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

Ranking Methodology

Nursing is a fantastic career that is going to be able to help you make a difference in your own life as well as the lives of the people that you treat. The nursing schools in Colorado Springs were ranked based on the programs offered, the overall quality of the school, and the NCLEX-RN pass rates.

If you represent one of the schools that is listed here and you would like to change or amend the entry feel free to contact us to clarify.