Most important takeaways…
- Aurora-area nurses can choose from FNP, PMHNP, AGNP, PNP, WHNP, and AGACNP specialties across nearby programs.
- Colorado grants NPs full practice authority, boosting earning potential in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial metro.
- MSN, DNP, and post-master's certificate pathways are all available at schools within a two-hour commute.
- UCHealth and Children's Hospital Colorado anchor a clinical network offering strong preceptor placement options.
Picking an NP program in Aurora often comes down to a tradeoff between staying close to the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, one of the largest academic health centers in the Rocky Mountain region, and casting a wider net to schools in Denver, Colorado Springs, Greeley, or fully online formats that may better fit a 36-hour-a-week bedside schedule.
Within a two-hour radius, working RNs can pursue FNP, AGNP, PMHNP, PNP, WHNP, and AGACNP tracks at the MSN, BSN to DNP online Colorado, or post-master's certificate level. Colorado's full practice authority status shapes the calculus further: graduates can practice independently after licensure, which tends to lift starting salaries and broaden the range of viable clinical settings.
NP Programs Near Aurora for 2027
Aurora sits in the middle of Colorado's Front Range, and nurses who live here have an unusually wide set of NP options within a one or two hour drive: the Anschutz Medical Campus in their own city, plus programs in Denver, Greeley, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo. Below is an overview of the schools serving that radius, what each one teaches across master's, doctoral, and post-master's levels, and how their costs and outcomes compare.
Factors considered
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Graduation rates across the university
- Program cost and typical graduate debt
- Online and hybrid delivery options
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Independent editorial research
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) — nces.ed.gov
- Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Based on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, this is the closest major academic medical center to the city and the broadest single source of NP specialties in Colorado. It offers MSN and DNP pathways in family, adult-gerontology primary care, and adult-gerontology acute care, delivered in hybrid and on-campus formats, and the college coordinates clinical placements for students. The university's school-wide graduation rate is about 46 percent, and federal data put median earnings for graduates ten years after entry near $64,000 with median graduate debt around $20,500.
- 56 total credit hours with 630 clinical hours
- Hybrid delivery with in-person sessions on the Aurora campus
- Prepares graduates for national certification and APRN licensure
- Applications submitted through NursingCAS
- Trains students to assess and manage acute and chronic illness
- Sits within a college that offers 12 specialty tracks
- 48 total credit hours with 540 clinical hours
- Campus-based program on the Anschutz Medical Campus
- Training in nurse-run clinics
- Prepares students for adult-gerontology primary care certification
- Covers primary care for adults and older adults
- 49 total credit hours with 630 clinical hours
- Campus-based format on a major medical campus
- Prepares graduates for national certification
- Forms part of the college's broader MSN program
- 74 total credit hours with 1,170 clinical hours
- Hybrid format with a three-day on-campus session
- BSN to DNP pathway with an MSN awarded along the way
- Hands-on DNP project experience
- Coursework in advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology
- Focus on adult-gerontology acute care
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), MSN — Hybrid
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, MSN — On-Campus
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, MSN — On-Campus
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, DNP — Hybrid
University of Northern Colorado
About an hour north in Greeley, UNC is one of eight Colorado universities with accredited NP programs and charges the same tuition rate to in-state and out-of-state students. Its hybrid master's in adult-gerontology acute care and its DNP family nurse practitioner track both rely on a clinical placement coordinator to help working nurses line up preceptors. The university's school-wide graduation rate sits near 51 percent, with federal data showing median earnings around $52,000 a decade after entry and median graduate debt near $20,500.
- Hybrid online format with in-person components
- $734 per credit hour for all students
- No additional student fees
- Post-bachelor's DNP pathway available
- Specialized adult-gerontology acute care concentration
- 84 total credit hours with 1,125 clinical hours
- $771 per credit hour, the same for in-state and out-of-state
- Five-year plan of study with a part-time option
- Hybrid delivery with weekly in-person Thursdays
- Clinical placement coordinator assistance provided
- No student or technology fees
- Prepares students for ANCC or AANP certification
- Priority application deadline of February 1
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, MSN — Hybrid
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), DNP — Hybrid
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Roughly an hour south in Colorado Springs, UCCS runs a fully online MSN with a primary care family nurse practitioner track and a post-bachelor's DNP in psychiatric mental health nursing. Rolling admissions with spring, summer, and fall start terms make it easier for working nurses to enter a cohort without waiting a full year, and no campus visits are required. School-wide, about 47 percent of students graduate, and federal figures show median earnings near $55,000 ten years after entry with median graduate debt around $20,000.
- Online delivery with no campus visits required
- 47 to 48 total credit hours
- Primary care family nurse practitioner concentration
- Rolling admissions with spring, summer, and fall start terms
- Clinical hours completed in approved states
- Requires a BSN with a 3.0 GPA and an active RN license
- 70 total credit hours
- Online and on-campus delivery options
- Three concentration options available
- DNP quality improvement project required
- Seven-year completion limit
- Requires a BSN from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), MSN — Online
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, DNP — Online
Regis University
This Jesuit university in Denver is roughly 20 minutes from Aurora and offers more NP entry points than most schools in the region: an MSN family nurse practitioner track taught on campus or in a remote synchronous classroom, an MSN in neonatal nurse practitioner practice, and post-graduate certificates in family and psychiatric mental health practice. Clinical placements are arranged in students' own communities, which matters for nurses who want to stay in the metro. Regis reports a 61 percent school-wide graduation rate, with median earnings around $72,000 a decade after entry and median graduate debt near $25,000.
- Campus-based classes in Denver or a remote synchronous pathway
- Covers primary care across the lifespan
- Weekly classes meet 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time
- Remote pathway is not open to residents of Louisiana or New York
- Full-time enrollment with financial aid and scholarships available
- Holistic approach addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs
- Hybrid format with a minimum of 43 semester hours
- 630 clinical hours required
- Level III NICU clinical experiences
- Coursework in advanced physiology and comprehensive assessment
- Prepares students for national certification
- 36 credit hours with clinical hours required
- Online delivery format
- Advanced clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning
- Requires an MSN and two years of nursing experience
- Prepares students for the AANP or ANCC exam
- Application through NursingCAS with transcripts, resume, and three references
- 26 to 36 credit hours
- Online format with May start dates
- Courses in advanced psychopharmacology and psychiatric assessment
- Requires a nursing master's degree
- Interview required as part of admission
- Prepares students for national certification
Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Master of Science in Nursing: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Post-Graduate Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner — Online
Post-Graduate Certificate: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — Online
Colorado State University Pueblo
Located in Pueblo, about two hours south of Aurora, CSU Pueblo concentrates on post-master's certificates and DNP completion for nurses who already hold an advanced degree or want a doctoral route from the BSN. Its dual adult-gerontology acute care and family nurse practitioner certificate is an unusual offering in the state, and the school also runs separate psychiatric mental health and acute care certificates alongside three DNP tracks. The school-wide graduation rate is about 40 percent, with federal data showing median earnings near $56,000 a decade after entry and median graduate debt around $21,500.
- 47 credit hours with 585 clinical hours
- Prepares students for dual AGACNP and FNP certification
- Campus-based delivery in Pueblo
- Requires an MSN with a 3.0 GPA and an active RN license
- Prerequisites in statistics, chemistry, and microbiology
- Individualized plan of study available
- 24 to 26 credit hours with 585 clinical hours
- Campus-based format for working nurse practitioners
- Requires an MSN with a 3.0 GPA
- At least 16 credit hours must be completed at CSU Pueblo
- Clinical practicums and acute care skills labs included
- Preference given to Southern Colorado residents
- Minimum of 16 credit hours with 585 clinical hours
- Hybrid online and campus format
- Individualized plan of study for each student
- Courses cover psychopharmacology and psychiatric assessment
- Preference for Southern Colorado residents and CSU Pueblo graduates
- Requires a bachelor's degree in nursing and an active Colorado RN license
- 104 total credit hours with 585 clinical hours
- Hybrid delivery with simulation-based learning
- DNP project serves as the scholarly capstone
- Population-focused family nurse practitioner competencies
- Emphasis on interprofessional collaboration and cultural sensitivity
- 83 total credit hours with 1,320 clinical hours
- Campus-based, with a concurrent MS in nursing awarded
- Requires a grade of B or better in all courses
- Oral comprehensive exam required
- Up to 9 semester hours of transfer credit accepted
- Prepares students for the AGACNP certification exam
- 86 to 87 total credit hours with 1,320 clinical hours
- 780 hours of PMHNP practicum included
- Hybrid delivery, with a concurrent MS in nursing awarded
- Program reports an 80 percent licensure pass rate
- Oral comprehensive exam required
- Prepares students for PMHNP certification
Post-Master's Certificate: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care/Family Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Post-Master's Certificate: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Post-Master's Certificate: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Colorado Mesa University
Colorado Mesa sits on the Western Slope in Grand Junction, but its NP coursework is online or hybrid and clinical requirements are completed in students' own communities, so Front Range nurses do not have to relocate. The MSN family nurse practitioner and adult-gerontology primary care tracks both emphasize rural and underserved care, and a DNP family nurse practitioner pathway is available for nurses who want the doctoral credential. Institution-wide, about 41 percent of students graduate, and federal figures put median earnings near $46,000 ten years after entry with median graduate debt around $22,000.
- 49 total credit hours
- Hybrid format mixing online coursework with in-person clinical exams
- Requires a BSN with a 3.0 GPA and an active RN license
- Multiple clinical practicums across patient populations
- Capstone project required
- Prepares students for FNP certification or doctoral study
- 46 total credit hours with 750 clinical hours
- Online coursework paired with clinical rotations
- Focus on rural and underserved populations
- Objective structured clinical exams each semester
- Primary care for adults and older adults
- Prepares students for doctoral education
- 74 total credit hours with 1,000 clinical hours
- Hybrid format with focused intensive sessions
- Clinical requirements completed in students' home communities
- Rural health care clinical experiences
- Coursework in leadership, policy, and interprofessional collaboration
Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN — Hybrid
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, MSN — Online
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Colorado Technical University in Colorado Springs delivers a fully online, asynchronous MSN family nurse practitioner program built for nurses who need to keep working full time while they study. Ten start dates a year, no entrance exam, and adaptive coursework lower the barrier to beginning, while two required weekend labs in Colorado cover the hands-on skills that online formats cannot. The school-wide graduation rate is about 19 percent, and federal data show median earnings near $37,000 a decade after entry with median graduate debt around $30,000.
- 68 total credit hours with 630 direct-care clinical hours
- Fully online, asynchronous format that fits a work schedule
- Two required weekend labs at the Colorado campus
- 10 start dates per year with no GRE or GMAT required
- Clinical hours span adult, women's health, and pediatric populations
- Adaptive learning platform personalizes coursework to prior knowledge
- Military benefits and employer tuition reimbursement accepted
Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner — Online
NP Specialties Available in the Aurora Metro
Choosing the right nurse practitioner specialties shapes your career path, patient population, and practice setting for years to come. Programs in the Aurora metro and surrounding Colorado communities offer several tracks, though availability varies by school. Understanding what each specialty entails can help you narrow your options before applying.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
The FNP track is the most widely available specialty in Colorado, offered at the University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Regis University, Colorado Mesa University, and Colorado Technical University. FNPs provide primary care across the lifespan, treating infants through older adults in outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, retail health settings, and private practices. This versatility makes FNP the most popular choice for nurses seeking broad career flexibility.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
The University of Northern Colorado in Greeley offers an AGACNP programs in Colorado concentration through a hybrid format. AGACNPs focus on acutely ill adolescent and adult patients, typically working in hospital intensive care units, emergency departments, and specialty inpatient services. Colorado State University Pueblo also offers a combined AGACNP/FNP post-master's certificate for nurses seeking dual certification.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Colorado faces a well-documented behavioral health workforce shortage, and PMHNP programs are in high demand. The University of Colorado Anschutz campus offers this track, preparing graduates to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders across the lifespan. PMHNPs work in community mental health centers, private practices, hospitals, and telehealth settings. Given Colorado's mental health provider gaps, this specialty often commands strong job prospects and competitive salaries. You can explore online PMHNP programs Colorado for a closer look at program formats and admission requirements.
Other Specialty Tracks
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) tracks are less commonly available through in-state programs. Students interested in these concentrations may need to commute to Denver for programs at the Anschutz Medical Campus or consider online programs from out-of-state institutions that accept Colorado clinical placements.
Finding Your Specialty
Not every school offers every track. Aurora residents may find that commuting to Denver, Greeley, or Colorado Springs opens access to concentrations unavailable locally. The Anschutz Medical Campus, about 20 minutes from Aurora, offers the broadest selection with 12 specialty tracks. Before applying, verify that your target school offers the specific concentration you want and confirm current enrollment availability.
MSN vs. DNP vs. Post-Master's Certificate Pathways
Choosing the right pathway depends on where you are in your nursing career and how quickly you want to reach practice. Aurora-area schools such as CU Anschutz College of Nursing, Regis University's Rueckert-Hartman College, UNC's School of Nursing, and UCCS Beth-El College each structure these tracks a little differently, so confirm current credit-hour requirements, cohort start dates, and part-time or accelerated options directly with program advisors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook outlines general NP role requirements, and organizations like the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Association (ANA) can help you verify accreditation status and curricular benchmarks.
Tuition and Financial Aid at a Glance
The table below compares annual tuition rates, estimated net price, and median graduate debt across NP programs accessible to Aurora-area students. Keep in mind that the net price figures reflect institution-wide averages for undergraduates receiving financial aid, not NP-specific costs, so treat them as a directional guide rather than an exact graduate tuition estimate. Beyond standard federal loans, working nurses should explore the HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment Program, which covers tuition and fees in exchange for service in underserved communities. Colorado also offers state-level loan repayment assistance through programs such as the Colorado Health Service Corps, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket burden after graduation.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Est. Net Price (Institution-Wide) | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Denver / Anschutz Medical Campus | $9,298 | $27,154 | $11,900 | $20,500 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | $10,064 | $16,684 | $10,051 | $21,500 |
| Colorado Mesa University | $10,900 | $16,359 | $15,103 | $22,000 |
| Colorado Technical University (Colorado Springs) | $14,632 | $14,632 | $16,745 | $29,832 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | $15,704 | $27,218 | $15,788 | $20,000 |
| University of Northern Colorado | $15,376 | $26,446 | $17,760 | $20,470 |
| Regis University | $24,300 | $24,300 | $18,397 | $25,000 |
Clinical Hours and Preceptor Placements in Aurora
Aurora gives NP students a genuine clinical edge that few metro areas can match, and how a program handles preceptor placement can make or break the experience for a working nurse.
How Many Clinical Hours Do Colorado Programs Require?
Most accredited FNP programs require somewhere between 500 and 720 direct patient care hours to meet national certification standards. CU Anschutz lands squarely in that range, requiring 630 clinical hours for its FNP track.1 That total is spread across rotations in primary care, specialty, and community settings, giving students exposure well beyond a single clinic environment. For a deeper look at what those rotations actually involve day to day, our guide on nurse practitioner clinical rotations breaks down the student role and expectations.
If you are considering a DNP-level pathway rather than an MSN, plan for a meaningfully higher clinical hour commitment. DNP programs layer additional practice inquiry and leadership hours on top of the direct patient care requirement, which can push the total well past 1,000 hours depending on the program and your prior graduate coursework.
Aurora's Clinical Placement Advantage
Location matters here. Aurora sits within a few miles of some of the region's most resource-rich clinical environments, including UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, Children's Hospital Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center. That concentration of large, diverse health systems means students have access to complex patient populations across the age and acuity spectrum without long commutes.
CU Anschutz arranges clinical placements for its FNP students rather than leaving them to negotiate on their own.2 The program draws on an established partner network spanning top clinics and hospitals across the region, and placement options extend to global health rotations and urban underserved sites for students who want broader experience.3
Self-Placement vs. Program-Arranged Preceptors
This is one of the most practical questions to ask any program, and the answer varies widely across Colorado schools. Self-placement means you are responsible for identifying and securing your own clinical preceptor, which can be time-consuming and stressful while working full time. Program-arranged placement shifts that burden to the school's clinical coordination team.
For nurses who are already stretched thin balancing shifts and coursework, a program that actively places students is worth serious consideration, even if the tuition is slightly higher elsewhere. Ask each program directly about its placement support and how quickly students are typically matched before classes begin.
Admission Requirements for Aurora-Area NP Programs
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is the most common threshold across NP programs in the Aurora metro area, including the BS-to-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner track at the University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing.1 Understanding what each school expects before you apply can save weeks of scrambling, so here is a practical breakdown of key requirements.
GPA, Licensure, and Experience
Most Aurora-area NP programs ask for a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, though some will consider applicants slightly below that mark on a case-by-case basis.2 An unencumbered RN license in Colorado (or compact-state equivalent) is universally required. Some programs specify a minimum number of years of clinical nursing experience, while others, such as the CU Anschutz BS-to-DNP pathway, do not publish a strict experience requirement.1 If you are a newer nurse, look closely at each program's language around recommended versus required bedside hours.
GRE Policy
The trend across Colorado NP programs continues to move away from standardized testing. CU Anschutz, for example, offers a GRE waiver for its BS-to-DNP FNP program.2 If you are weighing multiple applications, confirm each school's current GRE stance directly, as policies can shift from one admissions cycle to the next.
BSN Requirement and Bridge Pathways
A BSN is the standard prerequisite for most MSN and DNP nurse practitioner tracks near Aurora.1 Nurses who hold an ADN should explore ADN-to-MSN bridge options at regional schools, which bundle the baccalaureate-level coursework into a single continuous pathway. For a broader look at what DNP tracks typically require, review this overview of DNP prerequisites before building your application plan. Not every program in the metro area offers a bridge, so ADN-prepared nurses may need to consider online or hybrid programs from accredited Colorado institutions that serve the Denver-Aurora corridor.
Application Deadlines
Deadlines vary by program and cohort start. CU Anschutz posts a January 15 deadline for its fall cohort.1 Other programs in the region may accept rolling admissions or operate on a priority-deadline model. Starting your application materials, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement, at least three to four months before the posted deadline gives you a comfortable buffer.
Certification Pass Rates as a Quality Benchmark
When comparing programs, look for published first-time pass rates on the AANP or ANCC certification exams. These rates reflect how well a program prepares graduates for independent practice. Some schools post this data on their websites or in accreditation reports. Where rates are not publicly reported, as is currently the case for certain CU Anschutz specialty tracks, you can request the information directly from the program's admissions or student success office.1 A consistent pass rate at or above 85 percent is generally considered a strong indicator of program quality.
Related Articles
NP Salary and Job Outlook in the Aurora Area
Nurse practitioners in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial metro area enjoy strong earning potential, thanks in part to Colorado's full practice authority status. As confirmed by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Colorado grants NPs full practice authority, meaning you can evaluate patients, diagnose conditions, and prescribe medications independently, without a collaborative physician agreement. This autonomy fuels employer demand across the metro and supports competitive wages. The table below compares NP salaries to registered nurse and health services manager wages in the same metro, along with NP pay in nearby Colorado metros. Program-level earnings data for individual Aurora-area NP programs is not yet available at this time, so the occupation-wide figures below offer the best current benchmark.
| Role or Metro Area | Total Employment | 25th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | 75th Percentile Salary | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners, Denver-Aurora-Centennial | 2,190 | $118,030 | $130,630 | $139,620 | $130,490 |
| Registered Nurses, Denver-Aurora-Centennial | 29,570 | $81,790 | $98,500 | $105,920 | $96,860 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers, Denver-Aurora-Centennial | 4,260 | $105,280 | $134,940 | $174,240 | $157,270 |
| NPs, Colorado Springs | 470 | $108,190 | $125,770 | $138,210 | $125,010 |
| NPs, Boulder | 260 | $114,290 | $134,670 | $145,570 | $131,690 |
| NPs, Fort Collins-Loveland | 270 | $112,270 | $129,830 | $138,980 | $126,460 |
| NPs, Greeley | 130 | $76,590 | $115,820 | $135,330 | $110,970 |
| NPs, Pueblo | 170 | $102,000 | $125,370 | $141,390 | $121,970 |
Aurora offers a rare combination of clinical depth, full practice authority, and program variety that positions working nurses for a seamless transition into advanced practice. With CU Anschutz anchoring the region and major health systems such as UCHealth, Children's Hospital Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center providing preceptor sites, students gain hands-on experience in settings they may later join as colleagues. Colorado's full practice authority means new graduates can begin independent practice immediately, without the supervision agreements required in many other states.
The programs profiled above range from accelerated MSN tracks to research-focused DNP pathways, with tuition varying by more than $30,000 across institutions. Specialty options span family, psychiatric-mental health, pediatric, and acute care populations. For a broader comparison of nurse practitioner programs Colorado offers statewide, that resource can help you weigh Aurora-area schools against other Front Range options. Review the admission requirements, clinical hour policies, and tuition estimates in the sections above, then request information directly from the schools that align with your schedule, budget, and career goals.
