Best Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Colorado

After your first few years of nursing, there may come a point where you start to consider your options for advancing your career. One way that many RNs decide to do this is by becoming a nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners in Colorado often practice independently, similarly to physicians, and often specialize in specific areas such as cardiology or neurology. You can also look forward to higher-paying salaries and more job security, especially in areas like Denver or Fort Collins. Jump to program listings.

2025 - Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Colorado

Introducing RegisteredNursing.org's 2025 Rankings of the Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in Colorado! Our rankings are designed to help aspiring nurse practitioners identify the top online programs throughout the state. We evaluate programs based on factors such as completion rates, cost of living, institutional reputation, program diversity, and faculty expertise to ensure a thorough assessment. For an in-depth look at our ranking criteria, please visit our methodology page.

1.

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Aurora, CO

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus offers renowned nurse practitioner programs in specialties such as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP), Pediatric (PNP), Psychiatric-Mental Health (PMHNP), and Women's Health (WHNP). Many of these programs are available online, providing flexibility for working professionals while ensuring rigorous, advanced clinical training.

MSN Programs

• Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

DNP Programs

• Family Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Adult Gerontology Programs Online/Hybrid

2.

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, CO

The University of Northern Colorado offers top-tier nurse practitioner programs. The programs emphasize advanced clinical skills, health promotion, and disease prevention across several concentrations. It combines online coursework with hands-on clinical experiences, making it accessible to working nurses seeking to advance their careers.

DNP Programs

• B.S.N.-D.N.P: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Campus
• DNP program with Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Emphasis Online/Hybrid

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Post-Master's Graduate Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner Campus

MSN Programs

• Family Nurse Practitioner Campus

3.

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO

Colorado Mesa University offers highly regarded nurse practitioner programs with concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Adult-Gerontology. Known for its strong academic reputation, the program excels in preparing nurses for advanced practice roles through a combination of flexible online coursework and comprehensive clinical training, equipping graduates to effectively manage diverse patient needs.

DNP Programs

• Doctor of Nursing Practice: Family Nurse Practitioner Campus

Fast & Affordable Nurse Practitioner Programs

If you’ve already made the decision to start your nurse practitioner career, there are hundreds of nurse practitioner programs to choose from. Depending on your specific situation, you may be more drawn to the quicker and cheaper nurse practitioner programs available in Colorado. Here are a few of the fastest and most affordable NP programs in the state.

What Are the Fastest Online NP Programs?

After you get your Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN), the quickest (and cheapest) way to get licensed as a nurse practitioner is to enroll in a Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN) program as opposed to going for your Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) which can take 2-4 years longer. MSN degrees on the other hand can take as little as a year to complete through new strides in online learning or summer classes.

What Are the Most Affordable Online NP Programs?

As mentioned MSN programs are not only the quickest route to becoming a nurse practitioner, it’s also typically the cheapest. On average, most MSN programs cost between $20,000 and $$60,000. Of course, this will depend on which school you attend, technology fees, room and board, the price of your textbooks, and the cost of living in the area where your school is based. Here are a few of the most affordable MSN programs available in Colorado.

Schools Offering Popular Nurse Practitioner Specialties

In nursing school, it’s generally well-known that the best way to specialize in a particular area is to invest in a graduate degree. Nurse practitioner programs come in a wide variety of specialized curriculums so you can not only gain the independence and pay you deserve, but you can also narrow your focus on a field that you’re passionate about. Take a look at these specialized nurse practitioner programs in Colorado.

Find out more about popular NP specialty programs: Acute Care (ACNP), Adult Gerontology (AGNP), Family (FNP), Pediatric (PNP), Psychiatric (PHMNP), Women’s Health (WHNP).

Educational Routes for Nurse Practitioners – Online & Campus

While MSN and DNP programs are the most common routes for nurse practitioner education, there are several accelerated and bridge program opportunities available online and in-person, depending on the degree level you currently hold. Take a look at your options below.

MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs

As mentioned, MSN programs are a great option if you already have a BSN and you want to become a nurse practitioner as fast and as affordably as possible. These programs take about two years to complete. Here are a few examples in Colorado:

• Colorado Technical University – Colorado Springs, CO
• University of Colorado – Boulder, CO

RN to NP Programs

RN to NP programs are also known as RN to MSN or ADN to MSN programs. These bridge programs are typically geared toward registered nurses who are licensed and have graduated with an associate’s degree in nursing as a way to combine both BSN and MSN programs into one short and effective program that draws on the RN’s experience and associate’s level education. There is currently only one RN to NP program available in Colorado – Regis University‘s RN to MSN located in Denver, CO.

DNP Nurse Practioner Programs

DNP programs take about 4 to six years to complete following an MSN program. They are the highest level of NP program that you can complete and will come with a multitude of benefits, including higher pay and more flexibility in your practice. Here are a few DNP programs available in Colorado:

• University of Colorado – Boulder, CO
• University of Northern Colorado – Greeley, CO

Post-Master's Certificate NP Programs

Post-master nurse practitioner certificate programs are not degree programs and they will only be available to fully licensed nurse practitioners who have graduated from a graduate degree program in nursing. However, they are highly valuable to students who want to specialize in multiple areas of practice. Here are a few to choose from in Colorado:

• University of Colorado, Colorado Springs – Colorado Springs, CO
• University of Northern Colorado – Greeley, CO

Accelerated, Direct & Master’s Entry (MENP/MEPN) to Nursing Practice

Accelerated MSNs, direct-entry MSNs, and Master’s entry MSNs are types of MSN programs that allow students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field to get their MSN in a shorter amount of time than if they had gone through the both a BSN and MSN program individually. There is currently one accelerated MSN program that is available in Colorado; Regis University located in Denver, CO.

General Admissions Requirements

As we’ve gone over previously, NP programs come in many varieties. This means that not every NP program will have the same admissions requirements, as students are enrolling at different degree levels. In general, however, you can expect to need a minimum of:

• BSN from an accredited school
• Transcripts from all colleges attended
• Minimum grade point average (often 3.0 or above, but varies by school/program)
• Active, unencumbered RN license
• Essay or statement of purpose outlining career goals
• Letters of recommendation (academic or professional)
• Resume or CV

Colorado NP License and Certification Requirements

The minimum requirements for getting licensed as an NP in Colorado are to graduate from an NP program with a nursing degree and to have a valid RN license in your state. Applicants must submit proof of these qualifications, complete the application form, and pay an application fee of approximately $500. Detailed instructions on how to apply for NP licensure/certification in Colorado are available here.

Certification in most nurse practitioner specialties is obtainable through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Candidates must typically hold a valid RN license and have graduated from a master’s or doctoral-level nursing program in the relevant specialty.

As of 2024, certified NPs in Colorado enjoy full practice authority, allowing them to operate independently without the need for physician oversight. Additional resources can be found through the Colorado Nurses Association (CNA).

List of NP Programs in Colorado