Best 2-Year Nursing Programs in Colorado (ASN & ADN Online)

Pursuing a nursing education can help you jumpstart a rewarding and potentially lucrative healthcare career. Maybe you've been thinking about becoming a nurse and wondering about the training involved. Specifically, you'd like to know more about 2-year nursing programs available in your home state of Colorado.

If so, keep reading as we explore some top in-person and online ADN programs to consider. We'll also take a closer look at what these programs entail and answer a few questions you may have.

What Is a 2-Year Nursing Program?

Several different types of programs are available to help students meet the educational requirements for nurses. Among these programs are Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs, both of which take about two years to complete.

Associate of Science in Nursing

An ASN program is a specific type of nursing degree that leads to licensure or advanced studies. It is one of three types of entry-level nursing degrees and leads to an Associate of Science degree.

This type of nursing program provides a good balance of general education and nursing courses, along with skills labs and clinical experiences. Upon graduation, students can sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) or transfer to a Bachelor of Science in nursing program.

Associate Degree in Nursing

The term ''associate degree in nursing'' could refer to any type of associate-level nursing program, including an ASN. ADN degrees all lead to RN licensure but may differ slightly in focus and may or may not transfer directly to BSN programs.

One common type of ADN degree is the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in nursing. This type of program differs slightly in focus from an ASN degree in that it is more geared toward specific nursing specializations and less geared toward transfer to a bachelor's degree program. Students who have earned an AAS degree can pursue immediate licensure but may have to take additional courses before enrolling in an advanced nursing degree program.

Are There Online 2-Year Nursing Degrees in Colorado?

There is no such thing as a fully online ADN program, though many schools offer hybrid or online coursework. Even in these programs, students will still need to complete skills labs and clinical experiences in person.

There are a handful of partially online ASN programs at schools in Colorado. We'll take a closer look at these schools and their available programs in the following sections.

Best 2-Year ASN and ADN Programs in Colorado

If you're ready to pursue enrollment in a professional nursing program, keep reading. Below, we'll explore some top ADN and ASN programs in Colorado, including some of the best online nursing programs.

1. Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University is a public school located in Grand Junction, CO. Students can earn an AAS in nursing on the school's Montrose campus.

The school offers various nursing programs and tracks, making it easy for students to begin with an entry-level option, such as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) certificate, to gain work experience and return for advanced education. This helps them gain hands-on experience as they advance their careers at their own pace.

• Estimated tuition cost: $9,927 per year
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Northeastern Junior College

Northeastern Junior College is a public school belonging to the Colorado Community College System. Located in Sterling, CO, it offers an AAS degree for aspiring nurses.

The program offers both a traditional track and an advanced placement option for LPNs. Dual enrollment options are also available for students who want to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing at one of four partnered institutions.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,730 per year
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Pueblo Community College

Pueblo Community College is another school in the Colorado Community College System. It offers numerous stackable nursing degrees and certificate programs, including an AAS degree in nursing.

Tracks are available for traditional students as well as LPNs and paramedics. Traditional students can earn their LPN license after the first year of the program, giving them an opportunity to gain some experience and earn money while working toward becoming RNs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,049 per year
• Accreditation: HLC

4. Pikes Peak State College

Pikes Peak State College is located in Colorado Springs, CO. Yet another school belonging to the Colorado Community College System, it offers an AAS degree in nursing for students who apply through the school's health sciences pathway.

The program had 100% first-time NCLEX pass rates in 2024 and is known for providing a strong foundation in the fundamentals of nursing practice. LPN advanced placement and exit options are both available.

• Estimated tuition cost: $4,510 per year
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Aims Community College

Aims Community College is a public school with campuses throughout northern Colorado. An AAS degree in nursing is available with both traditional and LPN advanced standing tracks on the school's Greeley campus.

The program consists of 67.5 credit hours and can be completed within two years. Students learn essential nursing concepts in classes, practice their skills in labs, and gain on-the-job experience in various healthcare settings.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,258 per year
• Accreditation: HLC

6. Arapahoe Community College

Arapahoe Community College is located in Littleton, CO. This public school offers an AAS in nursing that enables graduates to seamlessly progress to its RN-to-BSN program, if desired.

Though the program is offered primarily on-campus, students may be able to complete some prerequisites and general education courses online. An advanced-standing option for LPNs is also available.

• Estimated tuition cost: $4,434 per year
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Front Range Community College

Front Range Community College is the largest community college in the state by enrollment and consists of three campuses. Students can earn an AAS in nursing at the school's Westminster and Larimer campuses.

The program is typically completed within four semesters and consists of 71.5 credit hours, and some courses can be taken online. Courses cover topics such as medical-surgical nursing, psychiatric-mental health nursing, and pharmacology.

• Estimated tuition cost: $4,663 per year
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Morgan Community College

Morgan Community College is a public school located in Fort Morgan, CO. Students can pursue an ADN degree at this school and complete the program within two years.

Students learn to deliver high-quality nursing care using evidence-based practices. An advanced placement option for LPNs is available.

• Estimated tuition cost: $4,252 per year
• Accreditation: HLC

9. Denver College of Nursing

Denver College of Nursing is a private nursing school headquartered in Denver. It offers various nursing programs and certificates, including an in-person ADN degree.

This full-time nursing program is designed for students transferring general education courses and prerequisites from other schools. The program itself can be completed in just 18 months, assuming all prerequisite requirements have been met.

• Estimated tuition cost: $18,427 per year
• Accreditation: HLC

10. Joyce University

Joyce University is a private school of nursing and health sciences headquartered in Draper, UT. It offers hybrid nursing programs, including an ASN degree, for students located in Colorado.

Students complete flexible didactic coursework online, later attending campus for skills practice and labs. They then complete clinical rotations at partnered healthcare facilities in Colorado at locations convenient to them.

• Estimated tuition cost: $21,680 per year
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

How We Rank Schools

We endeavor to include only quality programs when creating our school rank lists. We used the following criteria when selecting the programs above:

• Accreditation: Each school is institutionally accredited, and the nursing programs are approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• Program length: Each ADN or ASN program can be completed within two years.
• Program reputation: All of the programs are known for providing top-notch online and on-campus education programs.

FAQs About 2-Year Nursing Programs in Colorado

If you still have questions about building your patient care skills through a two-year nursing program, you're not alone. Keep reading as we answer some commonly asked questions you may be wondering about.

How Can I Become a Nurse in 2 Years in Colorado?

To become a nurse in Colorado within two years, you'll first need to complete a state-approved ADN or ASN program. You'll then need to apply for a license and sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Once you have passed this exam, passed a background check, and submitted all application materials, the Colorado State Board of Nursing will review your application and, if everything is in order, will issue your RN license.

What Is the Fastest RN Program in Colorado?

For students with no previous college experience, the fastest RN program is an associate degree, such as an ADN or ASN. If you already hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field, pursuing an accelerated BSN program may be a better path for you; these programs can be completed in as little as one year. Schools in Colorado offering these types of programs include the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center and Regis University.

What Is the Easiest Nursing School in Colorado?

Many students assume that nursing schools with the highest acceptance rates provide the easiest programs, but the fact is, there's no such thing as an ''easy'' nursing school. All accredited and reputable programs have the same minimum standards and require the same challenging courses.

What's the Difference Between a 2-Year RN and a 4-Year RN?

Two-year RNs are nurses that completed an ASN or ADN degree, while four-year RNs earned a BSN degree. Employers typically prefer BSN-educated nurses, who have completed more advanced nursing courses and have a wider variety of career opportunities. ASN- or ADN-educated nurses perform entry-level duties but often decide to pursue an RN-to-BSN degree later in their careers for the sake of career advancement.

What Are the Prerequisites for a 2-Year Nursing Program?

Most nursing programs require students to complete prerequisite courses before or during the admissions process. Common prerequisites include anatomy, physiology, biology, microbiology, chemistry, and statistics.

Discover Nursing Programs

If you're ready to enter the highly rewarding nursing profession, check out the schools featured on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the colleges for more information on the application process and to find the right program for you.