5 Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into in Colorado 2025

Nursing is a challenging and rewarding profession. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), more than 4.7 million registered nurses (RNs) are employed across the U.S., and demand for their services continues to grow.

If you are interested in joining this essential workforce, you may be curious about which are the easiest nursing schools to get into in Colorado. This article highlights the state's easiest nursing programs to get into, reviews admissions processes, and answers frequently asked questions about Colorado nursing schools. To learn more about how to get started on your healthcare career journey, read on.

How Competitive Are Nursing Schools in Colorado?

Nursing programs are generally competitive. This is because there is a shortage of classroom space, qualified faculty, clinical sites, and school budgets. The AACN reports that American nursing schools turned away nearly 66,000 qualified applicants in 2023. Enrollment cannot keep pace with current demand.

There is, however, ample opportunity to obtain a quality nursing education in Colorado. Community colleges are among the institutions that offer accredited nursing programs at affordable tuition; these schools tend to have higher acceptance rates than four-year universities. You can earn your Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) at a community college in two years or fewer, making this pathway one of the easiest nursing degrees.

What Are the Admissions Requirements for Colorado Nursing Schools?

Most Colorado nursing schools require students to pass a background check, complete prerequisite courses (e.g., chemistry and biology), and take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). You can take many of these self-paced nursing prerequisites online.

Schools require a minimum grade point average (GPA) for your overall high school or college transcript and your nursing school prerequisites. GPA minimums typically range between 2.5 and 3.0; the more selective a school, the higher its GPA minimum standard will be.

Nursing Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates in Colorado

This list highlights Colorado's easiest nursing schools to get into. Graduates of the following programs are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and earn their nursing license.

1. Pueblo Community College

Pueblo Community College (PCC) offers its two-year ADN program on three campuses: Pueblo, Fremont, and Mancos. Though most courses are delivered in person, some nursing coursework can be taken online. Graduates of Pueblo Community College's associate degree program average a 92% first-time NCLEX pass rate.

After completing general education and nursing prerequisite courses, you must submit a special application to the ADN program. You must also undergo a background check and drug screening before being officially accepted into PCC's nursing program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $264 per credit (in-state); $735 per credit (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

2. Colorado State University - Pueblo

Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) is a mid-sized public school in Pueblo, CO. CSU Pueblo has a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) pathway that can be completed in four years. Ninety-three percent of graduates pass the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt.

Students apply to the CSU Pueblo for their first two years of undergraduate studies. Students complete at least 23 credits of prerequisite coursework during this pre-nursing pathway, after which they apply to the School of Nursing to complete nursing theory courses and clinical experiences.

• Estimated tuition cost: $410 per credit (in-state); $638 per credit (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 98%
• Accreditation: ACEN

3. University of Colorado - Colorado Springs

The University of Colorado - Colorado Springs (UCCS) offers a fully online RN to BSN degree program. This 33-credit program is designed for students who have already earned their ADN and can be completed in two years or fewer on a full-time basis.

Qualified applicants must have an active RN license, which grants 38 credits towards the bachelor's degree requirements. You must also have taken certain general education courses, like health science, statistics, and nutrition. UCCS requires all nursing students to have earned a 2.5 GPA minimum in all college classes.

• Estimated tuition cost: $367 per credit (in-state and out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 91%
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

4. Colorado Mesa University

Located in Grand Junction, CO, Colorado Mesa University (CMU) offers a traditional BSN on campus. In addition to theory coursework, CMU nursing students gain more than 900 hours of hands-on experience. CMU's Health Sciences Clinical Education Center (CEC) enables students to develop practical skills across its seven state-of-the-art labs.

Students apply to CMU first and fulfill general education and nursing prerequisite courses for the first two years of school. Students then apply to CMU's Department of Health Sciences to enter the traditional BSN program. A 3.0 GPA is required for all nursing prerequisite courses, and applicants will have an interview with an admissions officer.

• Estimated tuition cost: $321 per credit (in-state); $874 per credit (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 82%
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. University of Northern Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) is a mid-sized public school in Greeley, CO, that offers a traditional BSN program. This is a full-time, four-year program; courses are mainly delivered on campus, though some coursework is conducted online.

You must first apply to UNC and complete two years of nursing prerequisite courses along with general education courses. Prerequisite courses include anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, and nutrition. You must earn at least a 2.0 GPA in these courses to be eligible for the BSN program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $490 per credit (in-state); $1,000 per credit (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 50%
• Accreditation: CCNE

How We Rank Schools

We use the following criteria when considering school rankings. For this article, we ranked programs with the highest acceptance rates at the top of our list.

• Accreditation: Nursing programs must be vetted and ACEN and/or CCNE-accredited. All of the featured programs have been approved by the Colorado State Board of Nursing.
• Acceptance rates: We highlight schools that are accessible to the most students possible. Nursing school programs must have at least a 50% acceptance rate. When specific nursing program acceptance rates information isn't available, we share the school's overall acceptance rate.
• Program reputation: Nursing programs' reputations are determined by experienced faculty, standard curriculum, clinical experience opportunities, NCLEX-RN pass rates, and job placement after graduation.

What Can I Expect From a Nursing Degree Program?

Nursing degree programs at the undergraduate level share the same essential components: nursing theory coursework, simulation lab skills, and clinical experiences at places like hospitals, long-term care facilities, and schools. Clinical rotations provide valuable, real-world practice.

If you are interested in advanced practice in nursing, you can pursue your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). DNP and MSN programs also have nursing theory coursework and clinical experiences, though at a more advanced level. Graduate programs also have a capstone practicum.

FAQs About the Easiest Nursing Programs To Get Into

The following section answers frequently asked questions about nursing programs, from the difficulty of certain programs to job outlooks for Colorado nurses.

Is Nursing School Hard?

Nursing is an intense profession; likewise, nursing school can be quite challenging at times. Even the easiest RN to BSN program online involves science and math courses that are essential to providing quality patient care.

Many students find math to be the hardest subject in nursing. Depending on your particular program, you may be required to take algebra, pre-calculus, and statistics. Many schools offer academic support to nursing students through faculty mentors, online groups, and in-person tutors.

Read More: Can I Be a Nurse If I Am Bad at Math?

How Much Do the Easiest BSN Programs To Get Into Cost?

BSN program costs vary widely from school to school. Total tuition costs can range from $20,000 to $100,000 and higher. Public colleges and universities are typically less expensive than their private counterparts, and Colorado and regional residents receive reduced tuition rates. Online nursing programs can also offer lower tuition rates.

You can keep higher education costs low by utilizing financial aid. Financial aid opportunities include scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.

What Is the Lowest GPA To Get Into Nursing School?

Generally speaking, the lowest GPA most nursing schools accept is a 2.0; this translates to a C letter grade. Naturally, the higher your GPA, the better your chances are of being accepted into your chosen program.

Many schools take a holistic approach to the admissions process. This means they consider a student's potential as a whole, not just from an academic standpoint. Be sure to showcase your other achievements, like any volunteer work or healthcare experience, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation from employers or teachers.

What Is the Career Outlook for Nurses in Colorado?

The nursing career outlook is very positive in Colorado. The Occupational Information Network (O*NET)projects 4,100 annual job openings for registered nurses through 2033. This whopping 18% growth rate outpaces the national growth rate three times over.

Nurses work in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, residential care facilities, private clinics, schools, and more. There is, and will continue to be, increasing demand for nursing services in many sectors.

What Is the Hardest Nursing School To Get Into in Colorado?

Admissions information varies from year to year, making it difficult to consistently label one particular school as the hardest to get into. That being said, the University of Colorado - Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) is consistently among the most competitive. U.S. News & World Report ranks the UC Health University of Colorado hospital as the number one medical center in Colorado.

How Long Does It Take To Complete a Nursing Degree in Colorado?

It typically takes between two and four years to earn your undergraduate nursing degree. Most ADN programs take two years on a full-time basis; a traditional BSN takes four years full-time.

If you have prior education or experience, you can expedite your nursing degree process. For example, if you are a paramedic or licensed practical nurse (LPN), you can enroll in an ADN bridge program and graduate in about one year.

Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into Near You

Applying to one of the easiest nursing schools to get into doesn't mean you have to sacrifice a quality education. Connect with the featured schools on Learn.org and discover which best supports your nursing career goals.