Best Online Nursing Programs in Fort Collins, CO (2026)
Fort Collins, Colorado has a population of about 169,705. The city’s median household income is $83,598 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 59.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Fort Collins, with tuition ranging from $2,090 to $14,478 per year. In Colorado, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $207,120 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Fort Collins
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Fort Collins city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aims Community College | Greeley, CO | 17.8 mi | $2,090 - $14,478 | – |
| Laramie County Community College | Cheyenne, WY | 41.1 mi | $4,613 - $12,722 | – |
| Front Range Community College | Westminster, CO | 44.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Regis University | Denver, CO | 52.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver, CO | 55.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Fort Collins
Fort Collins is part of the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area (BLS area code 22660). 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 | $96,600 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $95,549 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,990 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $64,283 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $207,120 | CO statewide | $204,866 |
| Nurse Midwife | $107,490 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $106,320 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,830 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $128,417 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,650 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $44,164 |
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.
Fort Collins at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $83,598 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 59.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Larimer County | 4,465 workers, 83 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Fort Collins-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Loveland, CO – 9.1 mi away (76,897 pop)
- Windsor, CO – 9.5 mi away (22,776 pop)
- Johnstown, CO – 15.1 mi away (21,313 pop)
- Greeley, CO – 18.1 mi away (131,900 pop)
- Evans, CO – 21.3 mi away (21,615 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Fort Collins, CO?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Fort Collins. The closest is Aims Community College in Greeley, CO (17.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Emily Griffith Technical College (55.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Fort Collins?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Fort Collins are: Nurse Anesthetist ($207,120), Nurse Practitioner ($129,830), Nurse Midwife ($107,490). 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 Loveland instead of Fort Collins?
Loveland, CO is 9.1 miles from Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins an affordable place to study nursing?
Fort Collins’s median household income of $83,598 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fort Collins 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.