Best Online Nursing Programs in Denver, CO (2026)
Denver, Colorado has a population of about 713,734. The city’s median household income is $91,681 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 55.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Denver, with tuition ranging from $4,030 to $16,210 per year. In the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $207,120 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Denver
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Denver city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concorde Career College-Aurora | Aurora, CO | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Aurora | Aurora, CO | 4.9 mi | $4,030 - $16,210 | – |
| Pima Medical Institute-Aurora | Aurora, CO | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pickens Technical College | Aurora, CO | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver, CO | 5.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Denver
Denver is part of the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area (BLS area code 19740). 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 | $98,500 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $93,100 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $69,570 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $65,756 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $207,120 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $195,766 |
| Nurse Midwife | $132,670 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $125,397 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,630 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $123,469 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,000 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $44,423 |
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.
Denver at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $91,681 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 55.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Denver County | 16,525 workers, 152 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Denver-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Commerce City, CO – 7.2 mi away (54,869 pop)
- Aurora, CO – 8.7 mi away (361,710 pop)
- Englewood, CO – 10.1 mi away (34,050 pop)
- Thornton, CO – 11.5 mi away (136,703 pop)
- Northglenn, CO – 11.6 mi away (38,982 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Denver, CO?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Denver. The closest is Concorde Career College-Aurora in Aurora, CO (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Emily Griffith Technical College (5.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Denver?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Denver are: Nurse Anesthetist ($207,120), Nurse Midwife ($132,670), Nurse Practitioner ($130,630). 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 Commerce City instead of Denver?
Commerce City, CO is 7.2 miles from Denver 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 Denver an affordable place to study nursing?
Denver’s median household income of $91,681 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Denver 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.