Best Online Nursing Programs in Golden, CO (2026)
Golden, Colorado has a population of about 20,467. The city’s median household income is $95,913 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 59.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Golden. 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 Golden
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Golden city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood, CO | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Regis University | Denver, CO | 10.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Denver | Denver, CO | 11.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver, CO | 12.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pima Medical Institute-Denver | Denver, CO | 12.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Golden
Golden 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.
Golden at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,467 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $95,913 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 59.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Jefferson County | 9,087 workers, 147 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Golden-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Lakewood, CO – 5.9 mi away (154,393 pop)
- Wheat Ridge, CO – 6.2 mi away (31,372 pop)
- Arvada, CO – 7.1 mi away (117,453 pop)
- Westminster, CO – 12.7 mi away (113,875 pop)
- Englewood, CO – 13.3 mi away (34,050 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Golden, CO?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Golden. The closest is Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, CO (3.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Pima Medical Institute-Denver (12.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Golden?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Golden 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 Lakewood instead of Golden?
Lakewood, CO is 5.9 miles from Golden 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 Golden an affordable place to study nursing?
Golden’s median household income of $95,913 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Golden 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.