This section covers the cities in the southern part of the state, including Pueblo and the more rural city of Trinidad.
There are 3 RN-to-BSN programs near Colorado Springs. Typical total program costs range from about $9,200 to $21,000, influenced by residency status and Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) eligibility. Time to completion ranges from about 12 to 24 months, with CSU Pueblo offering a 12-month path and the others allowing flexible pacing.
List of All Schools
| School | City | Length | Tuition | GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSU Pueblo | Pueblo | 12 months | $13,200 | 3.0 |
| Pueblo Community College | Pueblo | 24 months | $15,336 | 2.0 |
| Trinidad State College | Trinidad | 18 months | $9,200 | 2.5 |
How to Choose the Best RN to BSN Program Near You
TLDR Summary
Choose Trinidad State if you want the most transfer credits, a lower BSN-block cost, flexible practicums near where you live, and a personal nursing coach.
Choose CSU Pueblo if you want the fastest path while working—8-week blocks, six starts per year, and a realistic 12-month finish if you can carry the load.
Choose Pueblo Community College (PCC) if you want simulation-rich training, structured community health practica, strong completion metrics, and clear local lab resources.
1) Verify accreditation and state approval first
Choose programs with CCNE or ACEN accreditation and state board approval. Accreditation protects credit transfer, employer trust, and graduate study options.
2) Match delivery and pace to your work life
Confirm course length and cadence:
- 8-week blocks with frequent starts suit nurses who want momentum (CSU Pueblo has six starts per year).
- Standard 15–16-week terms may suit steady, lower-intensity pacing.
Ask how many courses you can take per block and whether you can pause between blocks.
3) Map your transfer and block credit upfront
You save time and money when schools honor prior work:
- Block transfer from an accredited ADN is a major advantage (PCC accepts up to 71.5 credits; Trinidad accepts up to 89.5 credits).
- Get a written evaluation showing how many credits you still need, including any upper-division or statistics requirements.
4) Compare true cost (not just per-credit)
Price varies by credit type and residency:
- Trinidad State: ~$9.2k–$12.3k for 30.5 BSN credits, plus modest fees.
- CSU Pueblo: $440/credit for 30 nursing credits (~$13,200 for the nursing block) with several tuition categories and COF impact.
- Pueblo CC: ~$15.3k resident with COF for BSN + gen ed in-program; up to ~$21k without COF; nonresident and online rates differ.
Confirm: - Which credits you must still take at the institution
- Differential fees for nursing courses, simulation, background checks, drug screens, and liability insurance
- Whether COF, WUE, or RISE apply to you
5) Check clinical/practicum requirements and flexibility
RN-to-BSN clinicals focus on community health, leadership, and synthesis:
- CSU Pueblo: Clinicals in Global Public Health Nursing Lab and Synthesis Lab.
- Pueblo CC: Practicums in NUR 409 and NUR 410; simulation at St. Mary-Corwin adds realism.
- Trinidad State: NUR 409/410/411 total ~112.5 hours; practicum can be done near where you live (nationwide), subject to site requirements.
Confirm site approval timelines, preceptor support, and whether you may use your current workplace.
6) Look at start dates and time-to-degree
You want predictable entry points and clear sequencing:
- CSU Pueblo offers six annual starts (Aug, Oct, Jan, Mar, Apr, Jun).
- PCC and Trinidad accept cohorts in Fall, Spring, Summer.
Ask for a term-by-term plan showing the earliest realistic completion date based on your transfer audit.
7) Review admissions filters and readiness checks
Common items include:
- ADN (or concurrent ADN) and unencumbered RN license (often required before community/leadership practica)
- Background checks, drug screens, immunizations, and BLS/CPR
- Minimum GPA (often 2.5–3.0)
- Statistics completion before research/EBP courses
Line up documents now to avoid delays at practicum time.
8) Compare outcomes and student support
Evidence that matters:
- On-time graduation and job placement (PCC notes strong rates and NCLEX for earlier program stages; CSU Pueblo cites high satisfaction and first-time performance data).
- Dedicated support like personal nursing coaches (Trinidad) or close faculty collaboration (CSU Pueblo).
- Simulation and modern labs indicate quality applied learning.
9) Scan the curriculum for your goals
You will see shared pillars—leadership, EBP, informatics, community health, ethics, and quality/safety—but with different emphasis:
- CSU Pueblo: QSEN integration, 8-week tempo, strong synthesis capstone.
- Pueblo CC: Clear EBP, leadership, and community sequence; robust simulation center access.
- Trinidad State: Broad general-ed acceptance, national practicum flexibility, assigned nursing coach.
Pick the program whose course mix best fits your target role (charge, educator bridge, public health, care coordination).
10) Technology, LMS, and student experience
You will live in the LMS:
- Confirm mobile-friendly course shells, 24/7 tech support, and library access.
- Ask about group project tools, virtual simulation, and turnaround times for grading and faculty replies.
11) Residency, COF, and tuition category questions
Costs change with your status:
- Are you COF-eligible? If yes, what is the per-credit stipend today and which courses qualify?
- Are there WUE/RISE or in-state-equivalent options for you?
- Do online general education rates differ from on-campus, and can you transfer those in?
12) Side-by-side local snapshot
- CSU Pueblo (online; ACEN): 8-week blocks, six starts/year, RN & concurrent ADN pathways, $440/credit for nursing block (≈$13,200 for 30 credits), 12–18 months typical, capstone synthesis with clinical.
- Pueblo Community College (online; CCNE): Accepts 71.5 block credits; 30.5 BSN credits + 18 gen ed still needed if unfinished; ~$15.3k resident with COF for those portions; strong simulation and community practicum.
- Trinidad State College (online; CCNE): Coach assigned, accepts up to 89.5 transfer credits; 30.5 BSN credits remaining; ~$9.2k–$12.3k for BSN portion; ~112.5 practicum hours near your home.