Accredited nursing programs in Colorado
22 schools in Colorado have at least one nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE: 17 BSN, 13 ADN, 2 LPN, 8 MSN programs. 6 hold both accreditors across their programs. For the bachelor’s degree, 13 of 17 listings are CCNE and 5 are ACEN.
- Bachelor's programs
- 17
- 5 ACEN, 13 CCNE
- Associate programs
- 13
- 13 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Practical programs
- 2
- 2 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Master's programs
- 8
- 1 ACEN, 7 CCNE
Accredited schools in Colorado
| School | City | Type | BSN | ADN | LPN | MSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams State University | Alamosa | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Aims Community College | Greeley | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Arapahoe Community College | Littleton | Public | ACEN | ACEN | – | – |
| Colorado Christian University | Lakewood | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction | Public | CCNE | ACEN | ACEN | CCNE |
| Colorado Mountain College | Glenwood Springs | Public | ACEN | – | – | – |
| Colorado Northwestern Community College | Rangely | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo | Public | ACEN | – | – | ACEN |
| Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | For-profit | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Denver College of Nursing | Denver | For-profit | ACEN + CCNE | ACEN | – | CCNE |
| Front Range Community College | Westminster | Public | ACEN | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Lamar Community College | Lamar | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Morgan Community College | Fort Morgan | Public | CCNE | ACEN | – | – |
| Northeastern Junior College | Sterling | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Otero College | La Junta | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Pikes Peak State College | Colorado Springs | Public | CCNE | ACEN | – | – |
| Pueblo Community College | Pueblo | Public | CCNE | ACEN | – | – |
| Regis University | Denver | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Trinidad State College | Trinidad | Public | CCNE | ACEN | – | – |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
Programs listed as accredited in the ACEN directory (opens in a new tab) and the CCNE directory (opens in a new tab), collected November 2026 and matched to schools by name and city. Programs in candidacy are not counted. A dash means no accredited program at that level was matched.
Programs with an ACEN note
ACEN publishes a note beside some listings. The wording below is ACEN’s own; open the listing for what it means for the program.
- Arapahoe Community College, ADN: With Conditions. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
- Colorado Northwestern Community College, ADN: With Conditions. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
- Otero College, ADN: For Good Cause. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
What accreditation means in Colorado
Two separate approvals apply to a nursing program. The Colorado board of nursing approves programs so their graduates can sit the NCLEX. Programmatic accreditation from ACEN or CCNE is voluntary and is judged by a national peer body.
Bachelor's programs are the most common accredited level here, with 17. For bachelor’s degrees, 17 of 18 schools reporting graduates to the federal government matched an accredited program (94%). Compare Colorado BSN programs by NCLEX pass rate, cost and pay.
Common questions
How many nursing schools in Colorado are accredited?
We matched 22 Colorado schools to at least one accredited nursing program in the ACEN and CCNE directories: 17 BSN, 13 ADN, 2 LPN, 8 MSN. Schools with several programs appear once.
What is the difference between ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN accredits nursing programs at every level, from practical nursing to doctorates. CCNE accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Both are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Do I need an accredited program to become a nurse in Colorado?
Not always. The state board of nursing approves programs for licensure, and that is a separate approval from ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Accreditation still matters for transferring credits, federal and employer tuition benefits, and entry to graduate programs.
Are all Colorado bachelor’s programs accredited?
17 of the 18 Colorado schools that report nursing bachelor’s graduates to the federal government matched an accredited listing. A school that does not match may be new, may be listed under another name, or may lack accreditation, so check the accreditor’s own directory before you apply.