Accelerated BSN Programs in Colorado (2026)

2 accelerated BSN programs for Colorado career changers — partner matches first, then a filterable completion-times directory.

Key takeaways for Colorado ABSN students

  • 2 accelerated BSN programs in our Colorado directory (duration ≤ 24 months).
  • Shortest listed ABSN in Colorado: 15 months.
  • Listed ABSN tuition ranges from $45,000 to $52,000 total.
  • Registered nurses in Colorado earn $95,470/year on average (BLS OES).
  • Colorado is a Nurse Licensure Compact state — an RN license issued here can authorize practice in other compact states.

Last verified 2026-09-21.

Limited ABSN listings in Colorado

Our directory currently shows fewer than 5 accelerated BSN programs based in Colorado. Many career changers also enroll in online ABSN programs authorized for Colorado students, with clinical placement coordinated locally. Browse the Colorado nursing program hub for related pathways.

2

ABSN Programs

15 mo

Fastest Option

$45,000

Lowest Tuition

$95K

Avg RN Salary

Accelerated BSN Programs Listed for Colorado

2 accelerated BSN programs — 2 on-campus or hybrid, 0 primarily online.

Free info packetsNo obligationAccredited programs only

Sponsored · Disclosure

2 accelerated BSN programs in our Colorado directory (10 BSN pathways total, including longer tracks). Compare completion times below →

Colorado BSN / ABSN programs by completion time

Among 10 Colorado BSN / ABSN programs with listed completion times, the shortest runs 15 months (University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical Campus, BSN) and listed durations extend to 48 months. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.

Delivery

Showing 10 of 10 programs. Default order: shortest duration.

Colorado programs sorted by shortest listed completion time; click column headers to re-sort
University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical CampusBSNOn Campus15$45,000
Denver College of NursingBSNOn Campus19$52,000
Arizona College of NursingBSNOn Campus28$56,000
Western Governors UniversityBSNOnline36$35,700
Aspen UniversityBSNOnline36$28,800
National UniversityBSNOnline36$45,000
Joyce University of Nursing and Health SciencesBSNOnline36$52,000
American Public University SystemBSNOnline36$27,000
Excelsior UniversityBSNOnline36$30,000
Southern New Hampshire UniversityBSNOnline48$50,400

Source: MyNursingSchools program directory as of 2026-09-21. Programs without a listed duration are omitted.

Why an Accelerated BSN Is the Fastest Path for Career Changers in Colorado

Colorado lists 2 accelerated tracks against 10 BSN programs overall, the quickest finishing in 15 months. Graduates sit the same NCLEX-RN as traditional BSN graduates and compete for the same Colorado hospital postings.

With registered nurses in Colorado earning an average of $95,470 per year and 8.7% job growth projected through 2032, an ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.

Colorado participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so an ABSN graduate who passes the NCLEX-RN and is licensed in Colorado can practice in any of the other compact member states without applying for separate licensure — useful for career changers who anticipate relocating after graduation.

Weighing an ABSN against a traditional BSN, the ADN-then-RN-to-BSN route, or a direct-entry MSN? Compare the four second-degree pathways — typical length, end credential, and who each one suits.

How to Choose an Accelerated BSN Program in Colorado

Accreditation

Verify accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Colorado hospitals and graduate programs recognize both bodies; non-accredited programs will close doors at hiring.

Clinical Placement Model

Ask whether the program guarantees clinical placement or makes you find your own. In Colorado, urban areas have abundant clinical sites; rural and online ABSNs sometimes leave placement to the student, which can delay graduation.

Total Cost & Aid Eligibility

Listed ABSN tuition in Colorado ranges from $45,000 to $52,000 total. Ask Colorado hospital systems about sponsorship that pays tuition against a 2–3 year post-graduation employment commitment — availability is regional, and it is the single largest lever on net cost.

NCLEX-RN Pass Rate Track Record

Compare first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates across Colorado ABSN programs. A pattern of 90%+ first-time pass rates indicates strong curriculum and student support; rates below 80% are a warning sign.

How long does an accelerated BSN take in Colorado?
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs available to Colorado students typically run 12 to 18 months of full-time, year-round study. Among ABSN programs listed for Colorado, the fastest option is 15 months. ABSN programs compress the BSN curriculum by skipping general-education prerequisites already completed during a prior bachelor's degree.
Which Colorado schools have the shortest nursing completion times?
Among 10 Colorado BSN programs with listed durations, the shortest completion time is 15 months (University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical Campus). See the completion-times table on this page for the full ranked list. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.
How to get a BSN in 1.3 years in Colorado?
The shortest listed Colorado BSN pathway in our directory is 15 months (1.3 years) at University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical Campus. Accelerated second-degree ABSN cohorts for career changers commonly finish in 12–18 months after prerequisites. Compare accredited options in the completion-times table below.
Who qualifies for an accelerated BSN program in Colorado?
University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical Campus and Denver College of Nursing — 2 institutions, 2 accelerated tracks listed for Colorado, the quickest 15 months. Each sets its own admission bar. RN licences are issued by the Colorado board of nursing on a 2-year renewal cycle with no blanket CE contact-hour requirement.
How much does an accelerated BSN cost in Colorado?
Among ABSN programs listed for Colorado, total tuition ranges from $45,000 to $52,000. Public university ABSN tuition tends to be lower; private and accelerated-cohort programs are typically higher because they compress 4 years of curriculum into 12–18 months. Federal financial aid, hospital sponsorships, and specialty loans (e.g., Nurse Faculty Loan Program) can offset costs.
Can I do an accelerated BSN online in Colorado?
No. All 2 tracks listed for Colorado — at University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical Campus and Denver College of Nursing — run campus-based or hybrid, so expect to travel to a physical site for labs.
Is an accelerated BSN worth it in Colorado?
For career changers in Colorado, the math is favorable. RNs in Colorado earn an average of $95,470 per year (BLS May 2024), with 8.7% job growth projected through 2032. An ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs and 4 to 7 years for private programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.
Do Colorado hospitals hire new ABSN graduates?
Yes, and the licence travels: Colorado is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a Colorado multistate licence is accepted across every other compact state without a second application.

Colorado Nursing License Information for ABSN Graduates

Renewal Cycle

2 years

CE Hours Required

None specified

NLC Compact

Yes — multi-state license

Source: Colorado Board of Nursing

Compare nursing programs in Colorado

Colorado nursing reference

NCLEX pass ratesRN salary data$95,470 average (BLS).Nursing schoolsScholarshipsLicense requirementsAdmission requirementsHow to become a nurseNursing shortage & outlookFor working adultsLPN to RNRN to BSNFNP programsPMHNP programsNurse midwife programsMSN programsDNP programsCRNA programs

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