2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Colorado
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Colorado
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Colorado Mountain College earned the #1 spot for value among registered nursing schools in Colorado. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $14,946. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $72,869. Set against $21,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Aurora earned it the #3 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $15,365 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $38,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Morgan Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,252, while out-of-state students pay about $16,852. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Morgan Community College generally make around $76,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar Community College earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. Located in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,550, with out-of-state students paying around $7,260. Students borrow a median of $9,300 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Lamar Community College earn a median of $25,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Students borrow a median of $27,562 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $95,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Trinidad State Junior College came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,608, while out-of-state students pay about $7,318. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,801. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aims Community College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $45,909. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Otero Junior College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $7,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $31,376. Registered Nursing graduates of Otero Junior College earn a median of $74,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arapahoe Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Arapahoe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,434, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $73,926 early in their careers. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $30,500. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $101,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Pueblo Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,049 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Pueblo Community College earn a median of $71,237 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rangely. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,594, compared with $7,304 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Colorado Northwestern Community College generally make around $70,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Front Range Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,625 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $76,014. Set against $30,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Adams State College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. Students from in state pay about $9,824 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,944. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $70,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
Mesa State College placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,000. Registered Nursing graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $69,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #17 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,119 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $77,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $89,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $30,319 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs generally make around $112,460. Set against $30,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concorde Career College - Denver ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Aurora, Concorde Career College - Denver is a small private for-profit institution. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Concorde Career College - Denver earn a median of $70,663 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $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 registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,140. Students borrow a median of $29,427 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $94,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Colorado Christian University earned the #23 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,846. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $54,709 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Colorado Christian University earn a median of $71,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona College Of Nursing Aurora landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Aurora, Arizona College Of Nursing Aurora is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,653. Students borrow a median of $51,854 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $85,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
