2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Colorado
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Colorado
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
For return on investment in nursing, no school beat Colorado Mountain College this year. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,946 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $68,039 early in their careers. Set against $14,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,131 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $72,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Aurora earned it the #3 place for nursing. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,365 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $38,587. That is a strong return on a $15,365 median debt.
Morgan Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,252, compared with $16,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,238 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,759. Set against $17,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,260. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lamar Community College generally make around $25,669. That is a strong return on a $9,300 median debt.
Colorado State University Pueblo earned the #6 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,562. Nursing graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $95,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Trinidad State Junior College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. Students from in state pay about $4,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,318. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,801 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $66,009. That is a strong return on a $20,801 median debt.
Aims Community College landed the #8 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt.
Otero Junior College placed #9 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $7,270. Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Otero Junior College generally make around $74,179. Set against $31,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arapahoe Community College placed #10 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,434, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Arapahoe Community College generally make around $73,926. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #11 among the best values for nursing. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $101,201. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Pueblo Community College placed #12 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,049, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,237. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt.
Colorado Northwestern Community College came in at #13 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Rangely, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,594, with out-of-state students paying around $7,304. Students borrow a median of $20,475 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Colorado Northwestern Community College earn a median of $70,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,475 median debt.
Front Range Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,625 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $76,014 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,625 median debt.
Adams State College came in at #15 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,824, while out-of-state students pay about $21,944. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $70,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa State College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #17 position for value in nursing this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Students borrow a median of $30,119 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $77,333 early in their careers. Set against $30,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #18 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $89,464. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,319 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $112,460. Set against $30,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concorde Career College - Denver came in at #20 for value in nursing this year. Concorde Career College - Denver is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Aurora. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Concorde Career College - Denver generally make around $70,663. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $97,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Regis University earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,140. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,427. Nursing graduates of Regis University earn a median of $94,010 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,427 median debt. Regis University admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $28,846. Students borrow a median of $54,709 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $71,388. That is a strong return on a $54,709 median debt.
Arizona College Of Nursing Aurora placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of Aurora, Arizona College Of Nursing Aurora is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $24,653 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $51,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Arizona College Of Nursing Aurora generally make around $85,169. That is a strong return on a $51,854 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
