by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find where nursing graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send nursing graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in nursing, no school beat Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs is a private for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs earn a median of about $92,767 a year early in their careers.
Arapahoe Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Arapahoe Community College typically earn about $82,903 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at Pueblo Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,090.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at Morgan Community College, which ranked #4. Morgan Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Fort Morgan. Nursing graduates of Morgan Community College earn a median of about $75,974 a year early in their careers.
Front Range Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Front Range Community College typically earn about $75,263 annually.
Otero Junior College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Otero Junior College make a median of around $77,553 per year.
Pikes Peak Community College earned the #7 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Pikes Peak Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. Early-career nursing graduates from Pikes Peak Community College make a median of around $74,777 per year.
Colorado Mountain College came in at #8 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Colorado Mountain College make a median of around $81,457 per year.
Lamar Community College placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Lamar Community College earn a median of about $72,971 a year early in their careers.
Regis University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Regis University make a median of around $94,707 per year.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #11 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of about $83,865 a year early in their careers.
Aims Community College landed the #12 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Aims Community College make a median of around $71,413 per year.
Denver School Of Nursing came in at #13 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Denver, Denver School Of Nursing is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $80,640.
Trinidad State Junior College came in at #14 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Trinidad State Junior College is a public school located in the town of Trinidad. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $78,745.
Colorado State University Pueblo earned the #15 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo typically earn about $90,075 annually.
Colorado Christian University earned the #16 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Colorado Christian University make a median of around $86,166 per year.
Colorado Northwestern Community College placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Rangely. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,974.
Platt College Aurora placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the suburb of Greenwood Village, Platt College Aurora is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,390.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $88,586.
Mesa State College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Mesa State College make a median of around $81,913 per year.
Northeastern Junior College landed the #21 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Northeastern Junior College make a median of around $68,853 per year.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #22 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $90,209.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #23 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado typically earn about $80,209 annually.
Adams State College earned the #24 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Adams State College typically earn about $72,966 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their nursing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 24 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.