2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Colorado
Registered Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Colorado
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 registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
No school ranked higher than Regis University this year for registered nursing. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 253 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Regis University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Regis University earn a median of $94,010 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,427.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Regis University
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Colorado Mountain College, which ranked #2. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Colorado Mountain College graduates 14% of students within six years. Colorado Mountain College awarded about 71 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $68,039. Students borrow a median of $14,946 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Colorado Mountain College
Pueblo Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 122 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Pueblo Community College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Pueblo Community College earn a median of $71,237 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Pueblo Community College
Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs is a very large private for-profit university. Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs graduates 14% of students within six years. Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs awarded about 177 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $112,460 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,319 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs
University Of Colorado Denver is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #5. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. University Of Colorado Denver graduates 46% of students within six years. University Of Colorado Denver awarded about 317 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $101,201 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Colorado Denver
University Of Northern Colorado placed #6 among the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the city of Greeley. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Northern Colorado awarded about 163 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $97,319 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for University Of Northern Colorado
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #7 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs awarded about 220 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $89,464 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000.
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Denver School Of Nursing came in at #8 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Denver, Denver School Of Nursing is a small private for-profit university. About 491 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Denver School Of Nursing in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $80,304 in their early career. Denver School Of Nursing graduates carry a median of $32,832 in student loans.
Get the full registered nursing details for Denver School Of Nursing
Red Rocks Community College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Red Rocks Community College awarded about 10 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $76,340 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,471.
Get the full registered nursing details for Red Rocks Community College
Arapahoe Community College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public university. About 100 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Arapahoe Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $73,926 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,750.
Get the full registered nursing details for Arapahoe Community College
Mesa State College placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Junction. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Mesa State College awarded about 164 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Mesa State College earn around $69,631 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full registered nursing details for Mesa State College
Trinidad State Junior College earned the #12 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public university. About 52 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Trinidad State Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Trinidad State Junior College earn around $66,009 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,801.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Trinidad State Junior College
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Roughly 31% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 84 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan State College Of Denver in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $77,333 in their early career. Metropolitan State College Of Denver graduates carry a median of $30,119 in student loans.
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Front Range Community College placed #14 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 181 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Front Range Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Front Range Community College earn around $76,014 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,625.
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Pikes Peak Community College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 188 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Pikes Peak Community College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $72,869 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,131 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Pikes Peak Community College
Morgan Community College earned the #16 position for registered nursing this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of Fort Morgan. About 37 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Morgan Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Morgan Community College earn around $76,759 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,238.
See the full registered nursing program report for Morgan Community College
Aims Community College placed #17 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. Aims Community College awarded about 33 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $45,909 in their early career. Aims Community College graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Aims Community College
Colorado Christian University landed the #18 spot for registered nursing this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lakewood. Colorado Christian University graduates 63% of students within six years. Colorado Christian University awarded about 81 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $71,388 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $54,709 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Colorado Christian University
Colorado State University Pueblo earned the #19 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 141 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State University Pueblo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $95,058 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,562 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Colorado State University Pueblo
Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #20 spot for registered nursing this year. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rangely. About 21 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Colorado Northwestern Community College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Colorado Northwestern Community College earn a median of $70,087 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,475.
See the full registered nursing program report for Colorado Northwestern Community College
Northeastern Junior College landed the #21 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a small public institution. There were roughly 15 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northeastern Junior College generally make around $68,853. Northeastern Junior College graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Northeastern Junior College
Community College Of Aurora earned the #22 position for registered nursing this year. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. There were roughly 26 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Community College Of Aurora in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Community College Of Aurora earn around $38,587 in the first couple years of their career. Community College Of Aurora graduates carry a median of $15,365 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Community College Of Aurora
Otero Junior College landed the #23 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public institution. Otero Junior College awarded about 22 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $74,179 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,376 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Otero Junior College
More Registered Nursing Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 28 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.
