Which Colorado Colleges Offer Nursing Programs?

Preview four schools in Colorado offering nursing education. Find out which certificate and degree programs are available and which would be the right fit for you.

What You Need to Know

Certificate programs are available that could train you to work as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and prepare you for the licensure examination. Completing an associate's or bachelor's degree could prepare you for work as a registered nurse. You could also take advanced courses in a master's degree program, which could lead to work as a nursing supervisor or nurse practitioner.

Colorado University Offering a Nursing Certificate Program

Colorado Mesa University

Since its start in 1925, Colorado Mesa University has grown to a school with 13 academic departments. The Department of Health Sciences offers several options for becoming a nurse, including certificate, associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs. A quick option to start your nursing career, the practical nursing program requires general education and nursing coursework, lab studies and clinical rotations. Upon completion, you can take the NCLEX-PN for licensure. If you decide to advance your education, you can start in the second year of the university's nursing associate's degree program or apply for advanced placement in a nursing bachelor's degree program.

• Program Name: Practical Nurse Technical Certificate
• Program Length: 2 years
• Tuition and Fees: $8,627 per year for in-state; $20,944 per year for out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: Criminal background check; professional liability insurance; current CPR certification; proof of reading and writing proficiency
• School Type: 4-year, public; 9,492 students (9,365 undergraduate)

Colorado Colleges Offering Nursing Associate's Degree Programs

Aims Community College

The ADN program at Aims Community College can prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN and obtain licensure to work as an RN. The curriculum combines classroom theories, simulation lab work and clinical education in a medical setting. Once you complete the first two semesters, you can take a transition course and earn a practical nursing certificate, which qualifies you to take the NCLEX-PN.

• Program Name: Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
• Program Length: 2 years
• Tuition and Fees: $1,835 for in-district; $2,756 per year for in-state; $10,424 per year for out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Current CNA (certified nursing assistant) license; general education courses in biology, English and psychology with a minimum 2.8 GPA
• Admission Requirements: Orientation session; math, English and reading assessment tests; Test of Essential Academic Skills; criminal background check; drug screening; proof of required immunizations; 2 negative TB tests; current American Heart Association (AHA) healthcare provider CPR card
• School Type: 2-year, public; 6,250 students (all undergraduate)

Front Range Community College

Front Range Community College (FRCC) offers several options for aspiring nurses. Upon completion of the AAS program, you can obtain your RN license or apply for advanced placement in the bachelor's degree in nursing program. In addition to the AAS nursing program, FRCC offers a practical nursing certificate, an LPN to ADN advanced placement program, an RN to BSN program and an LPN exit option; the latter is where you complete only one year of the AAS program (along with a nursing transition course), earn a certificate and apply for licensure as an LPN.

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing
• Program Length: 2 years
• Tuition and Fees: $3,986 per year for in-state; $15,074 per year for out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: English, psychology and 3 biology courses (must be completed within 7 years of admission)
• Admission Requirements: Proof of current immunizations and annual TB test; criminal background check; fingerprint check; drug screening; assessment testing for reading, math and English proficiency; AHA CPR certification
• School Type: 2-year, public; 18,880 students (all undergraduate)

Colorado Schools Offering Nursing Bachelor's Degree Programs

Colorado Mesa University

The BSN program at Colorado Mesa is aimed at current PNs, current RNs with a diploma or associate's degree and recent high school graduates who are interested in becoming RNs. In addition to nursing and practical skills courses and clinicals, your curriculum will be rich in liberal arts courses. This program can prepare you for a nursing career in a variety of medical settings, including pediatrics, surgery and mental health. If you've already earned an associate's degree in nursing, you can apply for advanced placement in the RN-BSN program, which offers online courses.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Program Length: 4 years
• Tuition and Fees: $8,627 per year for in-state; $20,944 per year for out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: Criminal background check; professional liability insurance; current CPR certification; proof of reading and writing proficiency
• School Type: 4-year, public; 9,492 students (9,365 undergraduate)

Metropolitan State College of Denver

With a main campus located in downtown Denver, Metropolitan State College of Denver offers a nursing bachelor's degree program with two options. The BRNCO is for nurses with a diploma or associate's degree who are interested in earning a bachelor's degree in nursing. You can complete this program on a full- or part-time basis, with courses offered in online, in-class and hybrid formats. Your curriculum would include classroom discussions, lab studies and clinical rotations. The Accelerated Nursing Option is for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Upon completion of either option, you can take the NCLEX-RN to obtain licensure.

• Program Name: Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Completion Option (BRNCO) or Accelerated Nursing Option
• Program Length: 1 year (full-time) or 2 years (part-time) for BRNCO; 17 months for advanced program
• Tuition and Fees: $7,666 per year for in-state; $20,847 per year for out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Graduate of diploma or associate's degree in nursing program and valid RN license for BRNCO; bachelor's degree in any subject but nursing for advanced program
• Admission Requirements: Orientation session; criminal background check; drug screening; current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; professional nursing liability insurance; regulatory training for nursing students; signed student acknowledgements; proof of current immunizations; annual TB test or chest x-ray; general health statement
• School Type: 4-year, public; 20,192 students (19,437 undergraduate)

Colorado University Offering a Nursing Master's Degree Program

Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University's master's degree in nursing programs can prepare you for leadership or teaching positions in the nursing profession. They're offered in a hybrid format, allowing students to continue their careers while earning their degrees. In addition to completing clinicals, you'll complete courses in leadership, health information systems, nursing research and theory, and health policies. These programs also require you to complete a thesis or capstone project.

• Program Name: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Field of Study Options: Advanced nursing practice or nursing education
• Program Length: 2 years
• Tuition and Fees: $9,540 per year for in-state; $14,040 per year for out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited college; current RN license; GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate coursework
• Admission Requirements: Criminal background check; written and oral comprehensive examinations; 2 copies of college transcripts; 3 letters of recommendation; 2,500-word essay
• School Type: 4-year, public; 9,492 students (127 graduate)

Of the previewed schools, Front Range Community College and Aims Community College both offer associate's degrees, Metropolitan State College of Denver offers a bachelor's degree, and Colorado Mesa University has both, in addition to a master's degree and certificate options.