2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Colorado
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
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2026 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. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,946 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,039. That is a strong return on a $14,946 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Morgan Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Morgan Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Fort Morgan. Students from in state pay about $4,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,852. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,238 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $76,759. That is a strong return on a $17,238 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Red Rocks Community College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,471 median debt.
Community College Of Aurora is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $15,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aims Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt.
Pikes Peak Community College earned the #6 position for value in registered nursing 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $21,131. Registered Nursing graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $72,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arapahoe Community College placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Arapahoe Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,434, while out-of-state students pay about $17,034. 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. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt.
Pueblo Community College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $71,237. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt.
Front Range Community College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $30,625. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $76,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinidad State Junior College came in at #10 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. Students borrow a median of $20,801 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College generally make around $66,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Otero Junior College came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $7,270. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $31,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Otero Junior College generally make around $74,179. That is a strong return on a $31,376 median debt.
Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rangely. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,594, compared with $7,304 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,475 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,087. Set against $20,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,562. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $95,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Junior College earned the #14 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,730, while out-of-state students pay about $8,267. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northeastern Junior College generally make around $68,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $30,119. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $77,333. Set against $30,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $30,319. 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.
Mesa State College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $69,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned the #18 position 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, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $89,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #19 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $97,319. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. 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.
Regis University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,140. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $29,427. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $94,010. Set against $29,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado Christian University landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,846. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $54,709. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,388. Set against $54,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Platt College Aurora earned the #23 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Greenwood Village, Platt College Aurora is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,347. Students borrow a median of $51,933 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Platt College Aurora earn a median of $76,390 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
More Registered Nursing Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
