With Colorado’s growing healthcare needs, including a shortage of primary care and mental healthcare providers, the ‘Centennial State’ is a great location for aspiring DNPs. After all, DNPs here can have full-practice authority after 1,000 hours of provisional prescriptive authority practice. Furthermore, the state offers a variety of loan repayment programs, such as the Nurse Faculty program for educators, and the Rural Essential Access Provider program for those who practice in rural areas.
If you’re a nurse looking for a location with many career opportunities and great pay (averaging $110,945 a year as of writing), then be sure to consider these DNP programs in Colorado:
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DNP Programs in Colorado
A DNP is a terminal degree that provides nurses with the skills and competencies they need to become skillful nurse leaders, nurse practitioners, and nurse educators, to name a few. In Colorado, these programs can provide the edge nurses need in their respective workplaces:
Colorado BSN to DNP Programs
Five BSN-DNP programs in Colorado offer on-campus, hybrid, online, or a combination of learning options.
Colorado State University-Pueblo
- Pueblo, Colorado
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: 66
GRE/GMAT Requirement: No
Resident tuition: $9,480 per year plus other fees
Non-resident tuition: $16,100 per year plus other fees
Program Overview:
CSU-Pueblo’s innovative BSN-DNP program is offered to nurses who wish to achieve the highest level of clinical practice. Designed with hybrid flexibility, it allows students to learn via online and face-to-face instruction. Concentrations offered include AGACNP, AGACNP/FNP, and PMHNP. Full-time students may complete the program in 11 semesters.
Regis University
- Denver, Colorado
- Online + Campus
Modality: On-campus and Online
Credit Hours: 74-79
GRE/GMAT Requirement: No
Tuition: $1,018 per credit for 74 credits — starts at $75,332 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Regis’ BSN-DNP program offers students the opportunity to earn both an MSN and DNP degree in as short as four years. At the masters level, they may specialize as FNPs, NNPs, or PMHNPs. At the doctorate level, they may pursue the Advanced Leadership in Healthcare or Advanced Practice Registered Nursing track.
University of Colorado-Colorado Springs
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Online + Campus
Modality: On-campus and Online
Credit Hours: 70
GRE/GMAT Requirement: No
Resident tuition: $868 per credit for 70 credits — $60,760 plus other fees
Non-resident tuition: $939 per credit for 70 credits — $65,730 plus other fees
Program Overview:
UC-CS prepares its students for the highest level of nursing practice with the help of a curriculum that uses science and theories to create better care models. The 36-month program also includes an end project that showcases what the student has learned throughout their schooling. Available concentration tracks are AGNP and PMHNP.
University of Colorado-Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
- Aurora, Colorado
- Online + Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid and Online
Credit Hours: minimum 44
GRE/GMAT Requirement: No
Resident tuition: starting at $46,315
Non-resident tuition: starting at $75,107
Program Overview:
Options abound for BSN-educated nurses who wish to get a terminal nursing degree at UC-Anschutz. NP tracks offered include AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, PNP (Acute and Primary Care), PMHNP, and WHNP. Other concentrations available include AGCNS, Midwifery, Healthcare Systems, and Veteran & Military Healthcare. These programs take about four years to complete.
University of Northern Colorado
- Greeley, Colorado
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: 84
GRE/GMAT Requirement: No
Tuition: $734 per credit for 84 credits — $61,656 plus other fees
Program Overview:
UNC’s BSN-DNP is a clinical doctorate that prepares nurses for the challenging role of FNP and research leader. This is made possible through a comprehensive curriculum that covers key courses in policy, informatics, business, and finance. The part-time program, which requires a once-weekly on-campus session, may be completed in five years.
Colorado MSN to DNP Programs
Three Colorado universities offer hybrid MSN-DNP education:
Colorado State University-Pueblo
- Pueblo, Colorado
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: 66
GRE/GMAT Requirement: No
Resident tuition: $9,480 per year plus other fees
Non-resident tuition: $16,100 per year plus other fees
Program Overview:
Masters-educated nurses may obtain their DNP degree from CSU-Pueblo in 5 and 8 semesters, respectively (full-time and part-time basis). They may also choose from any of the three nurse practitioner concentrations offered, as well as the Population Health concentration for nurses who wish to drive change in various communities.
Colorado Technical University
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: 49
GRE/GMAT Requirement: No
Tuition: $33,042
Program Overview:
CTU’s DNP program is designed for MSN degree holders who wish to become experts in their respective fields. Courses cover key topics, including Health Policy, Population Health, and Organizational Leadership. These courses run for 10 weeks each, thus providing flexibility to working students. The program may be completed in 21–27 months.
University of Colorado-Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
- Aurora, Colorado
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: 20-41
GRE/GMAT Requirement: No
Resident tuition: $20,410-$51,025
Non-resident tuition: $33,098-$82,745
Program Overview:
At UC-Anschutz, masters-educated nurses may choose from a variety of DNP programs. The DNP-APRN track, for one, is open to advanced practice nurses who wish to improve their leadership and advocacy skills. There’s also the Public Health Nursing track, which is designed for nurses who wish to improve public healthcare service delivery. These MSN-DNP programs take about 2–3 years to complete.
Online DNP Programs in Colorado
Colorado Online BSN to DNP Programs
There is one online BSN-DNP program offered in Colorado:
Colorado Mesa University
- Grand Junction, Colorado
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 79
GRE/GMAT Requirement: No
Resident tuition: $6,924 per year plus other fees
Non-resident tuition: $10,632 per year plus other fees
Program Overview:
Colorado Mesa’s BSN-DNP program is designed for nurses who wish to become FNPs or nurse leaders. The curriculum, which may be completed in four years, focuses on key concepts, such as leadership, policy analysis, and critical thinking. Courses are delivered online, and clinical hours may be completed in the student’s home community.
Colorado Online MSN to DNP Programs
Masters-educated nurses have five MSN-DNP options in Colorado:
Colorado Christian University
- Grand Junction, Colorado
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 30
GRE/GMAT Requirement: No
Tuition: $625 per credit for 30 credits — $18,750 plus other fees
Program Overview:
CCU’s practice-focused doctorate is open to NPs, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, nurse educators, and nurse administrators who wish to excel in their nursing practices. Its intensive curriculum and evidence-based project are designed to enhance one’s competencies in delivering better services in complex healthcare environments. The program may be completed in 24 months.
Colorado Mesa University
- Grand Junction, Colorado
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: varies
GRE/GMAT Requirement: No
Resident tuition: $6,924 per year plus other fees
Non-resident tuition: $10,632 per year plus other fees
Program Overview:
The MSN-DNP program helps students prepare for advanced practice and leadership roles through immersive courses. Likewise, it enables students to gain hands-on experience that can help them improve service delivery across various settings and populations.
Regis University
- Denver, Colorado
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 28-33
GRE/GMAT Requirement: No
Tuition: $1,018 per credit for 28 credits — starts at $28,504 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Masters-educated nurses with leadership or advanced practice backgrounds may further improve their craft through Regis’ DNP program, which can be completed in two years. With specialized courses in Health Promotion, Health Policy Analysis, and Advanced Leadership for Collaborative Care, it provides the necessary competencies for those who want to increase their value in their respective organizations.
University of Colorado-Colorado Springs
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 33
GRE/GMAT Requirement: No
Resident tuition: $868 per credit for 33 credits — $28,644 plus other fees
Non-resident tuition: $939 per credit for 33 credits — $30,987 plus other fees
Program Overview:
With a curriculum based on the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice, UC-CS’ post-MSN DNP is for nurses who wish to become more efficient leaders. It builds upon the student’s master’s education through immersive courses that tackle current issues such as transgender health. The program may be completed in three years.
University of Northern Colorado
- Greeley, Colorado
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 44
GRE/GMAT Requirement: No
Tuition: $734 per credit for 44 credits — $32,296 plus other fees
Program Overview:
Open to MSN degree holders and APNs, UNC’s part-time MSN-DNP program offers flexibility and convenience. The curriculum is designed to enhance the student’s critical thinking, leadership, and policy skills to help them deliver more impactful changes in healthcare systems. They may also opt to specialize in an additional focus area, such as business, public health, or nursing education. The program may be completed in two years.
Shortest/Accelerated DNP Programs in Colorado
Here are Colorado DNP programs that may be completed in the fastest time:
Shortest BSN to DNP Programs
The University of Colorado-Colorado Springs’ BSN-DNP program is the quickest to finish at 36 months (full-time basis).
Shortest MSN to DNP Programs
Colorado Technical University’s MSN-DNP program may be completed in 21 months. In contrast, most MSN-DNP programs in the state take about 24 months to complete.
Best DNP Programs in Colorado
The DNP program offered by the University of Colorado-Denver Anschutz Medical Campus is considered the best in the state, as per US News & World Report. Nationally, it is ranked 54th.
The University of Northern Colorado and the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, meanwhile, are the second and third-best in the state. On a national level, they are ranked 104th and 107th, respectively.
Cheapest DNP Programs in Colorado
Colorado State University’s BSN-DNP program, which can be completed in 2.5 years, is the most inexpensive for residents and non-residents alike. It costs $9,480 per year plus other fees for residents, and $16,100 per year plus other fees for non-residents.
The cheapest MSN-DNP program for residents, meanwhile, is offered by Colorado Mesa University. It costs $6,924 per year plus other fees for the 2-year program. For non-residents, Colorado Christian University’s MSN-DNP program is the most affordable at $18,750 plus other fees.
Colorado Direct Entry RN to DNP Programs
There are no direct entry RN to DNP programs in Colorado. However, nurses with an ADN degree who want to obtain a DNP may opt to take the RN-BSN route followed by a BSN-DNP program. Another option is an RN-MSN program followed by an MSN-DNP degree.