Most Affordable Nursing Programs in Colorado (2026)
15 nursing programs at Colorado schools and campuses list tuition — the lowest is Aspen University's RN to BSN at $11,700 total. Online programs from 40 more out-of-state schools also enroll Colorado residents, from $8,100.
Key takeaways for Colorado tuition
- Tuition at Colorado schools and campuses ranges from $11,700 to $90,000 total.
- Compare tuition against the school's board-reported NCLEX pass rate — the cheapest program is not always the best value.
Compare tuition and financial aid for Colorado nursing programs
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 16 months | Online | 16 mo | $11,700 |
| Denver College of NursingLPNOn Campus · 12 months | On Campus | 12 mo | $18,000 |
| Aspen UniversityMSN — Nursing EducationOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $18,000 |
| Aspen UniversityMSN — Nursing InformaticsOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $18,000 |
| Concorde Career CollegeLPN (Practical Nursing)On Campus · 11 months | On Campus | 11 mo | $22,000 |
Partner programs in Colorado.
Directory totals below remain the source. These listings are sponsored.
Sponsored · Disclosure
More Colorado nursing programs by tuition
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen UniversityBSN — Pre-LicensureOnline · 36 months | Online | 36 mo | $28,800 |
| University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical CampusMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 30 months | Hybrid | 30 mo | $28,800 |
| University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical CampusMSN — Psychiatric Mental Health NPHybrid · 30 months | Hybrid | 30 mo | $28,800 |
| Denver College of NursingADNOn Campus · 24 months | On Campus | 24 mo | $34,000 |
| Concorde Career CollegeADNOn Campus · 22 months | On Campus | 22 mo | $35,000 |
| University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical CampusDNPHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $43,200 |
| University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical CampusAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 15 months | On Campus | 15 mo | $45,000 |
| Denver College of NursingAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 19 months | On Campus | 19 mo | $52,000 |
| Arizona College of NursingAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 28 months | On Campus | 28 mo | $56,000 |
| University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical CampusPhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months | On Campus | 60 mo | $90,000 |
Source: MyNursingSchools program directory totals as of 2026-08-21. Programs without published tuition are omitted. Net price after aid may differ — confirm with each school.
Cheapest online programs open to Colorado residents
These schools are based outside Colorado but enroll residents online. Clinical hours are still completed locally, and some programs charge out-of-state rates — confirm with the school.
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University SystemRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $8,100 |
| Florida State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,000 |
| University of Alabama at BirminghamRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,600 |
| University of South FloridaRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $9,600 |
| American Public University SystemMSN — Nursing LeadershipOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $9,720 |
| Ohio State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,900 |
| Capella UniversityRN to BSN (FlexPath)Online · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $10,400 |
| Arizona State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,570 |
| University of CincinnatiRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $10,800 |
| University of Maryland — BaltimoreRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $11,400 |
Getting the Best Value from Nursing School in Colorado
Affordable is not the same as cheapest. The best-value program in Colorado is the one with the lowest cost per outcome — weigh tuition against the NCLEX first-time pass rate and job placement, not sticker price alone. A public in-state BSN or a community-college ADN with a strong pass rate often beats a rock-bottom program that graduates fewer of its students.
Net price is what matters, so stack aid against the sticker. Pell Grants, Colorado state nursing scholarships, and hospital tuition reimbursement (RN-to-BSN is frequently employer-funded) move the real cost far more than a small difference in listed tuition. File the FAFSA before you enroll to see your true out-of-pocket number.
Measure payback, not price. At Colorado’s average RN wage a well-chosen program typically pays for itself within a few years — so a mid-priced degree that gets you licensed and hired quickly can be the better financial decision than the cheapest option on the page.
Career Outlook for Colorado Nurses
Affordability is only half the equation — demand and earning ceiling determine how quickly a program pays for itself.
Above the 6% national average — strong hiring conditions for new graduates.
Per hour (BLS). Overtime and travel nursing contracts pay a significant premium above this base.
Colorado grants full independent practice to NPs — no physician oversight required, maximizing earning potential for MSN/DNP graduates.
Job growth and hourly rate: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. NP practice authority: AANP 2024.
Already licensed? Next credentials for Colorado nurses
Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in Colorado often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving Colorado include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. Colorado grants nurse practitioners full practice authority: NPs can evaluate patients, diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications — including controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing, without a required physician collaboration agreement.
- Bridge for working RNsRN-to-BSN programs in Colorado
Employer-funded bridges are common. Directory listed totals include Walden University at $27,710.
- Nurse practitionerFNP programs in Colorado
Colorado is a full-practice NP state (AANP). Family NP is the mainstream primary-care specialty.
- NP specialtyPMHNP programs in Colorado
Psychiatric-mental health NP tracks for BSN-prepared nurses planning advanced practice in Colorado.
Related Pages
How much does nursing school cost in Colorado?
What are the cheapest nursing schools in Colorado with financial aid?
Are affordable nursing programs in Colorado as good as expensive ones?
How strong is the nursing job market in Colorado?
What are the prerequisite requirements for nursing programs in Colorado?
Compare nursing programs in Colorado
- All nursing programs in Colorado
- Online nursing programs in ColoradoPrograms delivered primarily online for students who can't relocate.
- No-waitlist nursing schools in ColoradoPrograms reporting open seats rather than a waitlist queue.
- Accelerated BSN programs in ColoradoSecond-degree tracks for applicants who already hold a bachelor's.
- Fastest programs in Colorado
- ADN programs in ColoradoAssociate-degree and community-college routes to RN licensure.
- BSN programs in ColoradoFour-year pre-licensure bachelor's degrees for first-time RNs.