2026 Best Nursing Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 82 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for nursing students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Nursing in the Rocky Mountains Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Nursing
Our analysis ranked Western Governors University the best school in the country for a degree in nursing. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Western Governors University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 7,799 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Western Governors University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $93,055 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,660.
Read more about the nursing program at Western Governors University
University Of Utah is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Utah awarded about 333 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $92,469. Typical student debt for the program is $22,106.
More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Utah
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at University Of Great Falls, which ranked #3. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Great Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 21%. University Of Great Falls awarded about 76 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Great Falls earn around $101,187 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,847.
Read more about the nursing program at University Of Great Falls
Boise State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Boise State University graduates 59% of students within six years. There were roughly 422 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Boise State University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $102,076 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,220 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for Boise State University
Regis University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 345 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Regis University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $94,010 in their early career. Regis University graduates carry a median of $29,427 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for Regis University
University Of Wyoming ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This large public university is located in the town of Laramie. University Of Wyoming graduates 59% of students within six years. There were roughly 170 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wyoming in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $94,975. Typical student debt for the program is $22,185.
See the full nursing program report for University Of Wyoming
Weber State University landed the #7 spot for nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ogden. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 842 nursing degrees were awarded at Weber State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $72,187 in their early career. Weber State University graduates carry a median of $15,741 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Weber State University
Carrington College Boise ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Boise, Carrington College Boise is a small private for-profit university. Carrington College Boise awarded about 98 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Carrington College Boise generally make around $82,838. Students borrow a median of $32,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from Carrington College Boise
Lewis Clark State College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 32%. There were roughly 216 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Lewis Clark State College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Lewis Clark State College earn a median of $77,965 early in their careers. Lewis Clark State College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for Lewis Clark State College
Westminster College Utah earned the #10 position for nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Salt Lake City. Westminster College Utah graduates 64% of students within six years. Westminster College Utah awarded about 111 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Westminster College Utah generally make around $90,552. Westminster College Utah graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at Westminster College Utah
Colorado Mountain College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Colorado Mountain College graduates 14% of students within six years. There were roughly 71 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Colorado Mountain College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Colorado Mountain College earn around $68,039 in the first couple years of their career. Colorado Mountain College graduates carry a median of $14,946 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Colorado Mountain College
Pueblo Community College placed #12 among the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 122 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Pueblo Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $71,237. Pueblo Community College graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Pueblo Community College
Nightingale College landed the #13 spot for nursing this year. Nightingale College is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Salt Lake City. About 26% of students finish within six years. About 912 nursing degrees were awarded at Nightingale College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Nightingale College earn around $73,271 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,875.
Get the full nursing details for Nightingale College
Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs placed #14 among the best nursing schools. Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. The six-year graduation rate is 14%. Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs awarded about 254 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs generally make around $112,460. Typical student debt for the program is $30,319.
Get the full nursing details for Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs
North Idaho College earned the #15 position for nursing this year. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. About 79 nursing degrees were awarded at North Idaho College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of North Idaho College earn a median of $81,741 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,297 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at North Idaho College
Utah State University landed the #16 spot for nursing this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Utah State University awarded about 115 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $60,247 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,083.
Read more about the nursing program at Utah State University
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 476 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Denver in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $101,201. University Of Colorado Denver graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for University Of Colorado Denver
Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #18 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. About 28% of students finish within six years. About 264 nursing degrees were awarded at Dixie State College Of Utah in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $69,616. Students borrow a median of $18,503 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Dixie State College Of Utah
Laramie County Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 70 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Laramie County Community College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Laramie County Community College earn a median of $72,685 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Laramie County Community College
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #20 for nursing this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 172 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Colorado in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Northern Colorado earn around $97,319 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for University Of Northern Colorado
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #21 spot for nursing this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs graduates 47% of students within six years. About 224 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $89,464 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #22 position for nursing this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 129 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Brigham Young University Provo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $62,164. Typical student debt for the program is $7,830.
Read more about the nursing program at Brigham Young University Provo
Denver School Of Nursing placed #23 among the best nursing schools. Denver School Of Nursing is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Denver School Of Nursing awarded about 491 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $80,304 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,832.
Get the full nursing details for Denver School Of Nursing
Salt Lake Community College placed #24 among the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 186 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $64,223 in their early career. Salt Lake Community College graduates carry a median of $15,085 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at Salt Lake Community College
Red Rocks Community College landed the #25 spot for nursing this year. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. About 10 nursing degrees were awarded at Red Rocks Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Red Rocks Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing ranking:
Narrow Nursing Schools by State
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 82 schools evaluated.
- 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.
