Colorado has eight universities offering nurse practitioner programs across six NP specialties. Students can choose master’s, BSN-to-DNP, and post-graduate certificate pathways, and one school offers an RN-to-MSN bridge for associate-degree nurses.
Jump to: FNP (7) PMHNP (3) AGPCNP (3) AGACNP (2) PNP-PC (1) PNP-AC (1)
FNP dominates the market: seven of the eight schools offer it. Beyond FNP, options narrow quickly. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) is the only school offering all six specialties and the only pediatric provider, while four schools focus on a single specialty.
Compare Colorado Nurse Practitioner Programs
| School | FNP | PMHNP | AGPCNP | AGACNP | PNP-PC | PNP-AC | Degrees | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Christian University (CCU) | — | — | ✓ | — | — | — | BSN-DNP | Mostly Online |
| Colorado Mesa University (CMU) | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | — | — | MSN • BSN-DNP | Mostly Online |
| Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) | Dual* | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | — | Master’s • BSN-DNP • Certificate | Varies by specialty |
| Colorado Technical University (CTU) | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | MSN • Certificate | Mostly Online |
| Regis University | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | — | Master’s • BSN-DNP • Certificate | Online |
| University of Colorado Anschutz (CU Anschutz) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Master’s • BSN-DNP • Certificate | Mostly Online |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | RN-MSN • MSN • BSN-DNP • Certificate | Online |
| University of Northern Colorado (UNC) | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — | BSN-DNP • Certificate | Hybrid |
*FNP preparation through a dual AG-ACNP/FNP concentration. A dash means no program was identified for that specialty.
- Degrees vary by specialty. CMU’s DNP is FNP-only, for example.
- CSU Pueblo: The PMHNP program is hybrid; the AG-ACNP tracks are mostly online.
- Regis: Classes meet live one day per week. FNP students can attend on campus in Denver or by video.
Colorado NP Programs by Specialty
Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Seven universities offer FNP preparation, making it Colorado’s most widely available NP specialty.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| CMU | Rural and underserved primary care curriculum |
| CSU Pueblo | FNP available only through dual AG-ACNP/FNP concentration |
| CTU | Fastest master’s, about 1.75 years in five-week courses |
| Regis University | Weekly class day, on campus or by live video |
| CU Anschutz | University-arranged clinical placements |
| UCCS | Only ADN entry; no campus attendance |
| UNC | Same per-credit rate regardless of residency |
- Master’s: CMU, CTU, Regis, UCCS, and CU Anschutz.
- BSN-to-DNP: CMU, Regis, UCCS, CU Anschutz, and UNC.
- Certificates: CTU, Regis, UCCS, CU Anschutz, and UNC.
- Residency limits: UCCS admits students from only 14 states, and CU Anschutz excludes FNP from its Western-state tuition discount.
Compare all Colorado FNP programs →
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs
Three universities offer PMHNP programs, each at the master’s, BSN-to-DNP, and certificate levels.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| CSU Pueblo | Lowest resident tuition at every PMHNP level |
| Regis University | Only PMHNP program with no campus visits |
| CU Anschutz | Shortest BSN-to-DNP, at about 3 years |
- Cost vs. travel: CSU Pueblo’s lower price comes with recurring campus instruction. Regis costs the most but requires no travel.
- Certificates: CSU Pueblo and Regis set certificate credits by gap analysis. Regis seats are very limited, and its certificate may not run every year.
Compare all Colorado PMHNP programs →
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Programs
Three universities offer AGPCNP programs, but no two cover the same pathways.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| CCU | Doctorate only, with one weekend intensive |
| CMU | Required rural capstone and congregate care rotation |
| CU Anschutz | Only school offering all three AGPCNP pathways |
- Master’s: CMU and CU Anschutz.
- BSN-to-DNP: CCU and CU Anschutz.
- Certificate: CU Anschutz only.
- CCU’s MSN-to-DNP is leadership-only. MSN holders seeking AGPCNP certification enter its BSN-to-DNP after gap analysis.
Compare all Colorado AGPCNP programs →
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Programs
Two universities offer AGACNP programs: CSU Pueblo and CU Anschutz. Both offer a master’s, a BSN-to-DNP, and a certificate, and both are mostly online.
- Dual-role option: CSU Pueblo is Colorado’s only route to both AG-ACNP and FNP certification exams.
- RN experience: CSU Pueblo’s master’s requires one year of full-time RN practice. CU Anschutz names no required RN or acute care experience.
- Placement: CU Anschutz arranges Denver metro placements. CSU Pueblo students make five documented preceptor attempts before a clinical liaison assists, and all hours must be completed in Colorado.
Compare all Colorado AGACNP programs →
Pediatric Primary Care and Acute Care NP Programs
CU Anschutz is Colorado’s only pediatric NP provider. It offers both populations at three levels:
- PNP-PC: Master’s, BSN-to-DNP, post-graduate certificate
- PNP-AC: Master’s, BSN-to-DNP, post-graduate certificate
The acute care tracks take longer:
- Master’s: about 3 years for PNP-AC versus 2.5 for PNP-PC.
- BSN-to-DNP: about 5 years for PNP-AC versus 4 for PNP-PC.
CU Anschutz is also the only Colorado school with acute care for both adult and pediatric populations.
Compare all Colorado PNP programs →
Which Colorado NP School Fits Your Goals?
Widest Specialty Selection
CU Anschutz offers all six NP specialties, each at three degree levels. No other Colorado school offers more than three.
Lowest-Cost Degree Programs
CMU’s FNP programs post Colorado’s lowest resident degree estimates: about $27K for the MSN and $41K for the BSN-to-DNP.
Best for ADN-Prepared Nurses
UCCS’s RN-to-MSN bridge is the only in-state route to NP practice without a BSN. It leads to FNP certification and is open only to residents of 14 eligible states.
Minimal Campus Travel
UCCS requires no campus attendance in any FNP track. Regis offers a live-video pathway for FNP and PMHNP but requires a weekly synchronous class day.
Dual Acute and Family Certification
CSU Pueblo’s dual AG-ACNP/FNP concentration leads to two certification exams. It is available as a master’s (about $46K resident) or a BSN-to-DNP (about $70K).
Strongest Documented Placement Support
CU Anschutz is the only Colorado school that arranges clinical sites and preceptors. For most specialties, arranged placement covers Denver metro students, while FNP placements are arranged statewide.
Colorado NP Programs by Entry Pathway
ADN or RN to NP Programs
UCCS offers Colorado’s only associate-degree entry: an RN-to-MSN bridge in the FNP specialty. Admission is limited to residents of 14 states. No in-state pathway was identified for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
BSN to MSN NP Programs
Six universities offer master’s-level NP entry:
- CU Anschutz: FNP, PMHNP, AGPCNP, AGACNP, PNP-PC, PNP-AC
- CSU Pueblo: PMHNP, AGACNP, dual AG-ACNP/FNP
- CMU: FNP, AGPCNP
- Regis University: FNP, PMHNP
- CTU: FNP
- UCCS: FNP
Most master’s programs take 2 to 3 years. CTU is faster, but it bills in quarter credits, so its credit totals are not directly comparable. CCU and UNC begin NP study at the doctoral or certificate level.
BSN to DNP NP Programs
Seven universities offer direct BSN-to-DNP entry:
- CU Anschutz: FNP, PMHNP, AGPCNP, AGACNP, PNP-PC, PNP-AC
- CSU Pueblo: PMHNP, AGACNP, dual AG-ACNP/FNP
- Regis University: FNP, PMHNP
- CCU: AGPCNP
- CMU: FNP
- UCCS: FNP
- UNC: FNP
The structures differ:
- Master’s awarded along the way: Regis and CU Anschutz confer it en route, so students can seek board certification before finishing the doctorate. CSU Pueblo awards its MS alongside the DNP.
- No master’s awarded: UCCS and CCU.
- Duration: from about 3 years (UCCS FNP, CCU AGPCNP, CU Anschutz PMHNP) to 5 years (UNC’s part-time FNP plan).
MSN to DNP Programs
No Colorado school offers a post-master’s DNP that adds NP preparation. MSN-prepared nurses changing specialties have two routes:
- A post-graduate certificate
- A BSN-to-DNP entered after gap analysis, as CCU describes for AGPCNP
Post-Graduate NP Certificates
Certificate choice is strong for FNP and PMHNP but limited elsewhere.
| Specialty | Schools | Notable Limit |
|---|---|---|
| FNP | CTU, Regis, UCCS, CU Anschutz, UNC | Credits set by transcript review or gap analysis |
| PMHNP | CSU Pueblo, Regis, CU Anschutz | Regis seats very limited |
| AGACNP | CSU Pueblo, CU Anschutz | Final credits set by review |
| AGPCNP | CU Anschutz | Prior advanced practice courses must be within 5 years |
| PNP-PC and PNP-AC | CU Anschutz | Same estimated tuition for both |
Certificate plans are sized in different ways:
- UNC: can reduce an FNP certificate to as few as 12 credits, though spots are limited each year.
- CTU: gives the largest transfer credit to nurses already practicing in a non-family APRN role.
- CU Anschutz: publishes a fixed 33-credit FNP plan.
What Do NP Programs Cost in Colorado?
Residency and credit type matter as much as the published rate.
| School | Published Tuition Rate | Important Cost Context |
|---|---|---|
| CSU Pueblo | $625.89; $681.18 doctoral | PMHNP and AG-ACNP; non-resident $1,031.96 |
| CCU | $696 | AGPCNP only; includes per-credit fees |
| CMU | $556 | In-state rate; FNP and AGPCNP |
| CTU | $540 per quarter credit | Plus $265 per-term tech fee; not comparable to semester rates |
| Regis University | $1,055; $1,108 doctoral | Same rate for all students |
| CU Anschutz | Verify current rate | Non-resident $1,330; FNP excluded from WRGP discount |
| UCCS | $868–$900 | FNP only; in-state rate extends to WRGP states |
| UNC | $802 | Same rate regardless of residency |
Estimated resident tuition by pathway:
- Master’s: about $27K (CMU FNP) to $51K (Regis)
- BSN-to-DNP: about $41K (CMU FNP) to $80K–$86K (Regis FNP)
- Certificates: UNC (FNP) and CSU Pueblo (PMHNP) can start near $10K after gap analysis; Regis certificates reach $38K
The lowest published rate does not guarantee the lowest total. CTU’s $540 rate is the lowest on the list, but it is a quarter-credit rate with added term fees, and its FNP master’s runs about $39K.
For out-of-state nurses, residency rules can outweigh sticker price:
- Same rate for everyone: Regis and UNC.
- Western-state (WRGP) discount: UCCS, CSU Pueblo, and CU Anschutz. CU Anschutz does not apply it to FNP.
- Example: a CU Anschutz FNP BS-DNP costs about $66K for residents and $106K for non-residents.
Estimates may exclude per-term, per-course, or per-credit fees.
Online NP Programs in Colorado
Colorado’s attendance requirements range from none to weekly campus classes.
No required campus attendance
- UCCS FNP — all tracks
- Regis University FNP and PMHNP — one live class day per week; FNP students may attend by video or on campus
Limited campus attendance
- CCU AGPCNP — one weekend intensive
- CTU FNP — weekend labs at program start and end, plus in-person competency verification
- CU Anschutz, all specialties — one- to two-day skills sessions in Aurora
- CMU FNP and AGPCNP — periodic intensives and OSCEs; visit count not published
- CSU Pueblo AG-ACNP — on-campus class days plus three simulation lab courses; count not published
Recurring campus attendance
- UNC FNP — in person every Thursday in Greeley
- CSU Pueblo PMHNP — recurring on-campus instruction in Pueblo
Weekly attendance makes UNC practical mainly for Front Range and northern Colorado nurses. UCCS removes travel entirely, but only for residents of eligible states. Several schools do not publish visit counts, so ask admissions for the full in-person schedule.
Clinical Placement and Practicum Requirements
Only one Colorado school arranges placements. Everywhere else, students carry most of the preceptor search.
| School | Placement Approach | Important Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| CU Anschutz | University-arranged | Sites anywhere in Colorado; non-FNP students outside Denver metro largely arrange their own |
| UNC | Coordinator-assisted | Clinical Placement Coordinator supports preceptor searches |
| CCU | Faculty-assisted | Clinical Program Manager helps; no guarantee |
| Regis University | Student-secured with support | Clinical Support Unit helps |
| UCCS | Student-secured with oversight | Faculty oversight capped at six students each |
| CMU | AGPCNP: student-secured; FNP: not clearly stated | Rural experiences may require travel |
| CSU Pueblo | AG-ACNP: student-secured; PMHNP: not clearly stated | AG-ACNP: liaison helps after five attempts; all hours in Colorado |
| CTU | Not clearly stated | No placement process published |
Most Colorado FNP master’s programs require 630 clinical hours. Gaps are larger in other specialties, where CU Anschutz lists fewer master’s hours than its competitors:
- AGPCNP: 540 at CU Anschutz versus 750 at CMU
- AG-ACNP: 675 at CU Anschutz versus 900 at CSU Pueblo
Choosing an NP Program in Colorado
- Start with specialty. FNP applicants have seven schools; pediatric applicants have one.
- Confirm state eligibility and residency pricing. UCCS admits from 14 states. CU Anschutz’s Western-state discount excludes FNP. Regis and UNC charge everyone the same rate.
- Match the degree before comparing cost. Compare master’s to master’s and doctorate to doctorate. Convert CTU’s quarter credits before comparing per-credit rates.
- Decide how much travel you can handle. Requirements range from none at UCCS to every Thursday at UNC.
- Plan for placement. Outside CU Anschutz, expect to find your own preceptors, with varying levels of school support.
- Check experience rules. CTU requires one year of recent direct-care RN experience, and CSU Pueblo’s AG-ACNP master’s requires one year of RN practice.
FAQ
How many nurse practitioner schools are in Colorado?
Eight universities offer NP programs: Colorado Christian University, Colorado Mesa University, Colorado State University Pueblo, Colorado Technical University, Regis University, the University of Colorado Anschutz, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and the University of Northern Colorado.
Which school offers the most NP specialties in Colorado?
CU Anschutz offers all six specialties: FNP, PMHNP, AGPCNP, AGACNP, PNP-PC, and PNP-AC. No other Colorado school offers more than three.
Are there online NP programs in Colorado?
Yes. UCCS’s FNP programs require no campus attendance, and Regis offers a live-video pathway for FNP and PMHNP. Most other programs are mostly online, and UNC’s FNP program meets on campus weekly.
Can I become an NP in Colorado with an ADN?
Yes, through UCCS’s RN-to-MSN bridge in family nurse practitioner. Only residents of 14 eligible states can enroll.
What is the lowest-cost NP program in Colorado?
For residents, CMU’s FNP programs are lowest among degree options: about $27K for the MSN and $41K for the BSN-to-DNP. FNP certificates at UNC can start near $10K after gap analysis.
Do Western-state residents pay in-state tuition?
At some schools. UCCS, CSU Pueblo, and CU Anschutz extend resident rates to eligible WRGP students, though CU Anschutz excludes FNP. Regis and UNC charge the same rate to all students.
Where can I study pediatric acute care in Colorado?
Only at CU Anschutz. It offers PNP-AC at the master’s, BSN-to-DNP, and certificate levels.