Best ADN Programs in Colorado for 2026

Trinidad State College runs an ACEN-accredited Nursing AAS across two campuses, Trinidad and Valley (Alamosa), on a four-semester, traditional or evening/weekend schedule. The program includes in-person clinical rotations and hands-on lab work; no prelicensure nursing program can be completed fully online. Beyond the standard AAS track, TSC offers an accelerated LPN-to-ADN pathway for licensed practical nurses and a Paramedic-to-ADN pathway for licensed paramedics, both of which use prior clinical credentials to shorten time to NCLEX-RN eligibility. A BSN dual-enrollment option with a university partner lets motivated students work toward a bachelor's degree concurrently. A built-in practical nurse exit point after year one lets students pause, sit for the NCLEX-PN, and work as an LPN before completing the RN track.

At $175 per credit hour for Colorado residents, in-state tuition runs roughly $4,058 per year, making TSC among the lowest-cost RN entry points in the state. The 55% graduation rate reflects the competitive nature of healthcare programs broadly, but the NCLEX outcomes tell the real story: the Valley campus has recorded 100% first-time pass rates four consecutive years (2022-2025), and the Trinidad campus hit 96% in 2025, both sourced directly from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. Those figures put TSC graduates well above national averages reported by NCSBN. TSC's Hakia Score of 81.8 ranks it first among Colorado ADN programs on this list, reflecting the combination of low cost, dual-campus access, multiple entry tracks, and documented NCLEX performance. This program fits career-changers, LPNs moving up, and rural students who need an affordable, accredited path to the RN license without relocating to a metro area.

Front Range Community College's Westminster Campus Nursing Department offers an ACEN-accredited Associate of Applied Science in Nursing built on four semesters of nursing coursework (42.5 credits) plus 29 credits of general education prerequisites, totaling 71.5 credits. All clinical experience is in person, placed across acute care, home health, and community agencies throughout the Denver metro area, giving graduates exposure to one of the largest and most varied healthcare markets in the Mountain West. The program includes a separate three-semester LPN-to-ADN bridge track that grants licensed practical nurses advanced placement toward the full AAS, shortening the path to NCLEX-RN eligibility. FRCC Westminster also offers dual enrollment in its own RN-to-BSN completion program, so ADN students who want a bachelor's degree eventually can begin that coursework before they graduate.

In-state tuition is $4,058 per year, the same community-college rate shared by Trinidad State. With an enrollment of nearly 22,000 students across the college, FRCC has the advising infrastructure and course scheduling depth that smaller institutions often lack. The 35% graduation rate is below the Colorado ADN average and reflects the rigor of the competitive admissions process and the clinical demands of a metro-area program. The scraped program page does not publish a specific NCLEX-RN pass rate, so no figure is stated here; prospective students should request current pass-rate data directly from the nursing department. FRCC's Hakia Score of 79.8 reflects its ACEN accreditation standing, low in-state cost, metro clinical network, and multiple entry tracks. It is the strongest fit for Denver-area residents who want direct access to large hospital systems for clinical training and an efficient route to the RN exam.

Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado runs a four-semester Associate of Applied Science in Nursing after a defined set of prerequisites, totaling 67.5 credits. The program is structured as a separate, competitive application on top of general college admission, with a points-based selection system that weighs prerequisite GPA, science course completion, prior credentials (CNA certification earns points, as does a prior degree), a nursing preadmission exam score, and one-year residency in NJC's service area. Clinical experiences are fully in person and are scheduled across a broad geography: the program explicitly requires availability for clinical shifts up to 200 miles from campus, including facilities in Nebraska, and students must be prepared for eight- and twelve-hour shifts on weekends or nights. This is a rural healthcare program built to staff a large region, not a metro commuter track.

In-state tuition is $5,073 per year, slightly higher than the Colorado community-college average but still well below the national university median. The 56% graduation rate is the highest among the four programs on this list, which likely reflects the points-based selection process filtering toward better-prepared candidates. The scraped program page does not state a current NCLEX-RN pass rate; applicants should request that figure from the nursing department. NJC's Hakia Score of 79.1 reflects the solid graduation outcomes, affordable tuition, and structured prerequisites that indicate program rigor. This program is the right choice for students in northeastern Colorado and the Nebraska border region who are comfortable with a demanding rural clinical rotation schedule and want a competitive but merit-transparent admissions process.

Aims Community College in Greeley offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Nursing spanning 69.5 credits, combining lectures, a nursing simulation lab, and in-person clinical rotations. The program is based entirely at the Greeley campus and covers pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, psychiatric nursing, and maternal-child nursing. Clinical time is described on the program page as an internship component where students apply classroom theory directly in patient care settings; a prelicensure program of this type cannot be completed fully online. Aims also offers a separate LPN-to-RN track for licensed practical nurses seeking to upgrade to the full RN credential. The program requires a multi-step application process and completion of specific prerequisites before admission.

At $3,120 per year in-state, Aims carries the lowest annual tuition of any program on this list, though the program page notes total in-district program cost at approximately $9,590 and in-state at $15,426 for the full credential, which includes lab and course fees. The 40% graduation rate reflects the competitive selection and clinical demands common across community-college ADN programs. The program holds ACEN Continuing Accreditation with conditions; prospective students should review the current accreditation status directly with ACEN before enrolling. The program page does not publish a specific NCLEX-RN pass rate. Aims's Hakia Score of 78 reflects its price point and accreditation standing. It is the strongest fit for Weld County and northern Colorado residents who prioritize the lowest possible tuition cost and proximity to Greeley-area healthcare facilities, and who are comfortable verifying the current accreditation-with-conditions status before committing.

Morgan Community College's Associate Degree in Nursing runs on the Fort Morgan campus and is fully ACEN-accredited. The program blends classroom instruction with simulation lab work and in-person clinical rotations at local hospitals and healthcare centers — prelicensure nursing cannot be completed online, and MCC's hands-on clinical hours are central to the curriculum. Two additional pathways set MCC apart: the LPN-to-RN Bridge admits currently licensed LPNs with an active, unencumbered Colorado or compact-state license, placing them directly into the second year of the ADN; and the LPN Exit Option lets students who complete the first ADN year sit for the practical nurse licensure exam before continuing, creating a built-in earn-while-you-learn checkpoint. Admission to the LPN-to-RN track is competitive with one summer start per year.

In-state tuition runs $4,058 per year, making MCC one of the most affordable ADN paths in Colorado. The IPEDS-reported graduation rate is 45%. MCC does not publish a single NCLEX-RN pass rate figure on its program page but touts high pass rates as a program differentiator — do not take any specific percentage as confirmed. The program earned a Hakia Score of 75.5, the basis for its #5 ranking among Colorado ADN programs. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN and earn the same full RN license as any BSN graduate; BLS data puts the national median RN wage at $97,550. MCC is a strong fit for rural Colorado students and working LPNs who want the shortest, cheapest path to an RN credential.

Colorado Mesa University's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is delivered at the Montrose Campus and is ACEN-accredited. The program blends classroom science instruction with direct clinical experience across hospitals, physician offices, and long-term care settings — all clinical rotations are in person. Graduates who want to advance can feed directly into CMU's own online RN-to-BSN completion program, creating a clear two-step path: earn the ADN, work as an RN, finish the BSN while employed. CMU is a regional university rather than a community college, which is reflected in its higher tuition, but it brings a fuller campus infrastructure to the associate-level program.

The Montrose cohort's most recent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate stands at 88.89%, and the three-cohort average program completion rate is 86.36% — well above the IPEDS-reported 41% overall graduation rate, which reflects the full student population, not nursing specifically. Job placement within 12 months averaged 96.15% across three cohorts. In-state tuition is $8,807 per year, and the college admits 82% of applicants. The program's Hakia Score of 75.4 places it sixth in Colorado. BLS data shows the national RN median at $97,550. CMU fits students in the Montrose and Grand Junction region who want verified NCLEX outcomes and a built-in BSN ladder without changing schools.

Pueblo Community College runs its Associate Degree in Nursing across the Pueblo, Fremont, and Southwest (Mancos) campuses, with selective admissions cycles that open on a strict window — for fall 2026, applications ran April 1 through May 27. Admission to the college does not guarantee program admission; applicants are scored on a competitive point system and must submit complete files before the deadline. The ADN program is structured for independent management of stable to critical-care patients and builds on a stackable credential ladder: Nurse Aide, then Practical Nurse certificate, then ADN, with an optional LPN exit after the first ADN year for students who want to work as an LPN before finishing. LPNs and licensed paramedics can enter via an advanced placement bridge, skipping first-year content and completing transitional and second-year coursework to earn the AAS and sit for the NCLEX-RN. All clinical rotations, including simulation at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center, are in person.

PCC published strong 2024 outcome data directly on its program page: 92.63% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across all campuses, an 85.6% on-time graduation rate, and 83.3% of graduates employed in nursing within six months. The IPEDS overall graduation rate is 31%, which covers the full institution. In-state tuition is $4,058 per year, matching the Colorado Community College System rate. No admit rate is disclosed on the nursing page. The program holds a Hakia Score of 73.6 for the #7 spot in Colorado. BLS pegs the national RN median at $97,550. PCC is a logical choice for Southern Colorado students and for working LPNs or paramedics who want the fastest bridge to an RN license at community-college cost.

Arapahoe Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing approved by ACEN, the Colorado State Board of Nursing, and the Colorado Community College System. The program prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN and covers Medical/Surgical, Obstetric and Pediatric, and Psychiatric Nursing through active classroom learning, state-of-the-art simulation labs, and in-person supervised clinical rotations — no online substitution for clinical hours exists in a prelicensure ADN. A distinctive feature is the seamless dual pathway: students can progress from the AAS directly into ACC's own RN-to-BSN completion program without transferring to another institution. An LPN-to-ADN track is also offered. Admission requires attending a Nursing Program Information Session (in-person, Zoom, or recorded video), a competitive point-ranked application, a minimum 3.0 combined prerequisite GPA with no grade below C, and a passing HESI A2 exam covering Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Math. Applications open on narrow two-week windows each cycle.

In-state tuition is $4,058 per year, consistent with the Colorado Community College System rate. The IPEDS graduation rate is 29% across the full college population of 15,012 students; ACC does not publish a single NCLEX pass rate on its public page, though it notes the program consistently maintains high pass rates. No admit rate for the nursing program is disclosed. The program earned a Hakia Score of 72.6, placing it eighth among Colorado ADN programs. BLS data shows the national RN median wage at $97,550. ACC suits Denver-metro applicants with strong prerequisite records who want a competitive but affordable community-college ADN with a built-in BSN ladder.

Pikes Peak State College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is a community-college program in Colorado Springs that prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-RN and practice as a fully licensed registered nurse. The curriculum runs through the Health Sciences pathway and is built on seven core concepts including clinical judgment, holistic care, and professional ethics. All students complete hands-on clinical rotations in addition to classroom and lab hours; the program is not available fully online, and PPSC is not accepting mid-program transfers. Students who already hold an LPN credential can enroll through the LPN Advanced Placement Option, an accelerated AAS track that leads to the same RN-eligible degree without repeating foundational coursework.

In-state tuition runs $4,058 per year according to IPEDS, making PPSC one of the more affordable entry points into nursing in Colorado. The program's on-time graduation rate is 21%, a figure that reflects the selective, rigorous progression requirements common to clinical nursing cohorts rather than a broad institutional average; PPSC reports the specific rate on its NCLEX pass-rate table but does not publish the exact percentage in its public web copy, so we do not restate a figure that could not be verified. What the school does confirm: at least 90% of surveyed graduates are employed as an RN or enrolled in a BSN program within 12 months. The program earned a Hakia Score of 69.7, supporting its rank among the top ADN programs in Colorado for 2026. It fits students in the Colorado Springs area who want a fast, low-cost path to the RN license, with a clear bridge option to a BSN later.

The program holds continuing accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the standard accreditor for associate-level nursing programs. Median pay for registered nurses nationally is $97,550 per year, per the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, and an ADN graduate holds the identical RN license as a BSN graduate.

Otero College's Nursing AAS is a 5-semester associate degree program on the main campus in La Junta, Colorado. The curriculum pairs classroom instruction with hands-on clinical rotations in hospitals and other healthcare settings, covering anatomy, pharmacology, patient care, and medical ethics. Students can exit after the first two semesters, complete an optional Practical Nursing transition course, and sit for the NCLEX-PN as a licensed practical nurse before returning to finish the RN track, a practical option for students who need to enter the workforce quickly and earn income while completing the degree. Graduates of the full AAS sit for the NCLEX-RN and become fully licensed registered nurses. Otero also partners with Morgan Community College on an online RN-to-BSN bridge that can be completed in 3 to 5 semesters for roughly $6,100 in nursing coursework, giving associate-trained nurses a low-cost path to the bachelor's degree while employed.

In-state tuition is $4,058 per year, and the out-of-state rate of $6,768 remains well below most four-year nursing programs. The program's graduation rate is 38%, one of the stronger completion rates among Colorado community-college nursing programs. Otero publishes multi-year NCLEX data: first-time pass rates were 93% in 2020, dipped in 2021 and 2022, then recovered to 88% in 2023; combined pass rates (first-time and repeaters) ran 84-100% over the same span. Employment among graduates has held between 92.5% and 96% across recent cohorts. The Hakia Score of 69.2 anchors its rank among Colorado's top ADN programs. It is the right fit for students who want flexibility, an LPN off-ramp, an affordable BSN bridge, and a small-college environment with 959 total enrolled students.

The program holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN); the most recent decision is continuing accreditation with conditions, a status students should verify directly with Otero. Median annual pay for registered nurses is $97,550 per BLS national wage data, and an ADN graduate holds the same RN license as a BSN graduate.