Best Online Nursing Programs in Boulder, CO (2026)
Boulder, Colorado has a population of about 106,274. The city’s median household income is $85,364 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 76.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 26 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Boulder, with tuition ranging from $39,266 to $50,206 per year for indexed programs. In Colorado, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $207,120 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Boulder
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 26 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Boulder. Distances are calculated from Boulder city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Range Community College | Westminster, CO | 14.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pima Medical Institute-Denver | Denver, CO | 18.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Regis University | Denver, CO | 20.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood, CO | 21.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Colorado Christian University | Lakewood, CO | 23.2 mi | $39,266 - $50,206 | – |
| Denver College of Nursing | Denver, CO | 23.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 23.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Denver | Denver, CO | 23.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver, CO | 24.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 28.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Boulder
Boulder is part of the Boulder, CO metro area (BLS area code 14500). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Colorado statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,530 | Boulder, CO | $94,610 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,420 | Boulder, CO | $71,692 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $207,120 | CO statewide | $196,882 |
| Nurse Midwife | $132,670 | CO statewide | $126,112 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,670 | Boulder, CO | $128,013 |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,390 | Boulder, CO | $46,949 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Boulder at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $85,364 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 76.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.2 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Boulder County | 8,839 workers, 63 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Boulder-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Louisville, CO – 6.9 mi away (20,801 pop)
- Lafayette, CO – 8.3 mi away (91,767 pop)
- Erie, CO – 11.2 mi away (22,803 pop)
- Broomfield, CO – 11.7 mi away (66,529 pop)
- Longmont, CO – 12.7 mi away (97,835 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Boulder, CO?
Our directory has 26 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Boulder. The closest is Front Range Community College in Westminster, CO (14.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Denver (28.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Boulder?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Boulder are: Nurse Anesthetist ($207,120), Nurse Practitioner ($134,670), Nurse Midwife ($132,670). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Colorado statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Louisville instead of Boulder?
Louisville, CO is 6.9 miles from Boulder and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Boulder an affordable place to study nursing?
Boulder’s median household income of $85,364 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Boulder while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Colorado public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.