Best Online Nursing Programs in Wheat Ridge, CO (2026)
Wheat Ridge, Colorado has a population of about 32,158. The city’s median household income is $87,598 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 44.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Wheat Ridge. 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 Wheat Ridge
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Wheat Ridge city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regis University | Denver, CO | 4.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood, CO | 5.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Denver | Denver, CO | 5.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver, CO | 6.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pima Medical Institute-Denver | Denver, CO | 6.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge 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.
Wheat Ridge at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,158 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $87,598 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 44.4% | 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 Wheat Ridge-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Arvada, CO – 4.8 mi away (117,453 pop)
- Lakewood, CO – 5.2 mi away (154,393 pop)
- Golden, CO – 6.2 mi away (20,696 pop)
- Westminster, CO – 8.0 mi away (113,875 pop)
- Englewood, CO – 10.4 mi away (34,050 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Wheat Ridge, CO?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Wheat Ridge. The closest is Regis University in Denver, CO (4.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Pima Medical Institute-Denver (6.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Wheat Ridge?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Wheat Ridge 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 Arvada instead of Wheat Ridge?
Arvada, CO is 4.8 miles from Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge an affordable place to study nursing?
Wheat Ridge’s median household income of $87,598 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wheat Ridge 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.