3 Schools • 1 Online • 1 Mostly Online • 1 Hybrid
Colorado has three PMHNP programs offering MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and post-graduate certificate pathways. Programs are delivered in online, mostly online, and hybrid formats, with estimated resident tuition ranging from about $2,800 for the cheapest certificate to $83,000 for the priciest DNP. Most MSN and DNP pathways take 2 to 5 years to complete.
CSU Pueblo offers the lowest tuition, Regis University runs the state’s only fully online program, and the University of Colorado arranges clinical placements and reports a 100% board pass rate. Compare each school’s online format, campus commitment, cost, and degree options below.
Compare Colorado PMHNP Programs
| School | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
| CSU Pueblo | Hybrid | Recurring on-campus instruction in Pueblo | $178 base (resident) + differential | MSN • BSN-DNP • Certificate | Lowest tuition |
| Regis University | Online | None (synchronous class one day per week, remote) | $1,055 ($1,108 doctoral) | MSN • BSN-DNP • Certificate | Working nurses |
| University of Colorado | Mostly Online | Minimal in-person requirements in Aurora | $801 | MS • BS-DNP • Certificate | Faculty-arranged clinicals |
PMHNPOnline.com Online Format Classification
- Online: No routine campus visits required.
- Mostly Online: Coursework is online with one or more required campus intensives.
- Hybrid: Regular online and on-campus instruction.
- Campus: Most coursework takes place in person.
These classifications are based on each program’s actual campus attendance requirements rather than the school’s marketing terminology.
Choosing the Best PMHNP Program for You in Colorado
Which Program Fits Your Goals?
Best Overall Value
CSU Pueblo delivers every pathway for a fraction of competitors’ prices — its full BSN-to-DNP costs less than a single year at Regis.
Most Flexible Online Format
Regis is Colorado’s only fully online PMHNP program, built around one synchronous class day per week.
Best Clinical Support
The University of Colorado arranges placements for Denver Metro students and backs it with a 100% board certification pass rate.
Strongest DNP
CU’s BS-to-DNP awards both degrees back-to-back with no second application and holds the state’s #1 U.S. News ranking.
Most Accessible Admissions
Regis accepts a 2.75 undergraduate GPA — the lowest threshold in Colorado.
Best for Western-State Nurses
CSU Pueblo’s WICHE/WRGP rate extends resident pricing to nurses in 14 western states.
Colorado DNP PMHNP Programs
All three schools offer a BSN-to-DNP pathway, spanning four to five years full-time. CSU Pueblo anchors the low end at under $16K resident, while Regis exceeds $78K. CU’s format is the most streamlined, and Regis is the only program structured for students to practice as NPs during the doctoral phase.
| School | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| CSU Pueblo | ~$15.3K–$15.5K resident; ~$23K nonresident | 4 years | 1,320 |
| Regis University | ~$78.1K–$83.4K | 4–5 years | 1,000 |
| University of Colorado | ~$62.5K resident; ~$101.2K nonresident | 4.5 years | 1,100+ |
- Lowest doctoral cost: CSU Pueblo — even its nonresident rate (~$23K) undercuts the other schools’ resident pricing by roughly $40K or more.
- Work-while-you-study design: Regis — students finish the MSN portion first, then complete online doctoral courses while practicing as nurse practitioners.
- No second application: CU — the master’s and doctorate are awarded back-to-back in one continuous program.
- Heaviest clinical load: CSU Pueblo — 1,320 practicum hours, including 540 dedicated DNP project hours.
Colorado MSN PMHNP Programs
All three schools offer master’s-level entry, with the sharpest tradeoffs in the state: the cheapest program is also the longest and most clinically demanding, while the fastest costs five times as much.
| School | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| CSU Pueblo | ~$10K–$11K resident; ~$15K–$16.5K nonresident | 3 years | 780 + 30 lab |
| Regis University | ~$50.6K | ~2 years | 630 |
| University of Colorado | ~$41.7K resident; ~$67.5K nonresident | ~2.5 years | 630 |
- Fastest MSN: Regis — 48 credits in roughly 2 years, a full year ahead of CSU Pueblo.
- Most clinical hours: CSU Pueblo — 780 hours for Fall 2024+ admits, versus 630 at both competitors.
- Arranged placements: CU only — Regis students self-arrange with Clinical Support Unit help, and CSU Pueblo’s placement process is not clearly stated .
- Regional preference: CSU Pueblo favors applicants with 2,000 RN hours, Southern Colorado residency, or CSU Pueblo degrees — out-of-region applicants face longer odds.
Colorado Post-Graduate Certificate PMHNP Programs
All three schools offer a certificate route for master’s-prepared nurses, with the widest price spread in the state — from under $3K to nearly $38K — driven by how each school counts required credits.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| CSU Pueblo | Post-Master’s Certificate | ~$2.8K minimum resident; ~$4.3K minimum nonresident | Varies | 780 |
| Regis University | Post-Master’s Certificate | ~$38K | Varies | Not clearly stated ⚠️ |
| University of Colorado | Post-Graduate Certificate | ~$23.2K resident; ~$37.6K nonresident | ~1.5 years | 630 |
- Gap-analysis pricing: CSU Pueblo — the individualized plan starts at just 16 credits, so nurses pay only for coursework they actually need.
- Fixed credit load: Regis — 36 credits regardless of prior coursework, which explains its ~$38K price.
- Limited seats: Regis — certificate enrollment is very limited due to competitive clinical placements and may not be offered annually.
- Coordinated placements: CU — the only certificate with clinical sites arranged for Denver Metro students.
Colorado PMHNP Program Summaries
CSU Pueblo PMHNP Programs
Pueblo | $177.92 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Mostly Online
CSU Pueblo competes on one axis — price — and wins decisively, with a per-credit base rate under $180 that extends to 14 western states through WICHE/WRGP. The hybrid format requires on-campus instruction in Pueblo, so this is a program for nurses within driving distance of Southern Colorado, and admissions preferences reinforce that regional identity. The clinical requirement is the state's most demanding at every level, and placement support is not clearly stated, meaning students should expect to secure their own preceptors. It's also the only ACEN-accredited program in Colorado; Regis and CU hold CCNE. Best for cost-driven nurses near Pueblo and western-state residents who want resident pricing without Colorado residency...read more.
Regis University PMHNP Programs
Denver | $1,055 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Online
Regis is Colorado's only fully online PMHNP program, structured around a single synchronous class day each week — a schedule built explicitly for nurses who keep working. Clinicals begin in the second year, are arranged by students with Clinical Support Unit backing, and may include telehealth. The BSN-to-DNP extends this working-nurse logic: graduates practice as NPs while finishing doctoral courses online. Admissions are the most forgiving in the state (2.75 GPA), though the PMHNP track starts only in May and the certificate's seats are scarce. The tradeoff is unambiguous: Regis costs more than any Colorado competitor at every level. Graduates qualify for both ANCC and AANP certification. Best for working RNs who value schedule certainty over price. ..read more.
University of Colorado PMHNP Programs
Aurora | $801 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN / BSN-DNP | Mostly Online
CU is the flagship pick: #1 in Colorado for master's and DNP programs (U.S. News 2025), a 100% PMHNP board pass rate, and — most practically — clinical placements arranged by the university for Denver and Aurora students. Coursework is mostly online with minimal in-person requirements at the Anschutz campus in Aurora, including an on-campus assessment lab. Applicants below a 3.0 GPA have a fallback via GRE scores or 12 graduate credits. Budget for extras: term fees, a matriculation fee, and books add meaningfully to published tuition, and nonresident pricing climbs past $101K for the DNP. Best for Denver Metro nurses who want placement support and a nationally ranked credential at mid-market pricing. ..read more.
National Online PMHNP Options
No Colorado school offers an RN-to-MSN or MSN-to-DNP PMHNP pathway, so nurses on those routes should compare national online programs such as Walden University and Purdue Global, which enroll Colorado students. These options also suit nurses who want a lower-priced online format than Regis or who live outside the Front Range and Pueblo. Note that CSU Pueblo works the other direction too — its WICHE rate makes it a de facto regional option for nurses across the western U.S.
Post University PMHNP Programs
National | $604 cpc | BSN-MSN | Online
Post University's online MSN with PMHNP Specialization through American Sentinel College combines academic rigor with scheduling flexibility through 8-week courses and monthly admissions. The program requires 51-54 credits including specialized psychiatric coursework and five preceptorship experiences totaling 630 clinical hours. Costing approximately $31,000 and completing in about 34 months, the program prepares nurses for advanced psychiatric practice and ANCC certification eligibility.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
National | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN / DNP | Online
Purdue Global's PMHNP programs are authorized in Colorado, offering three fully online, CCNE-accredited tracks: a Postgraduate Certificate ($20,160, 1.5 years), MSN with PMHNP focus ($32,760, 2 years), and MSN-DNP pathway ($32,760 for MSN portion). All programs feature immersive virtual reality assignments for telehealth and group therapy training, preparing graduates to assess, diagnose, treat, and manage psychiatric mental health disorders across the lifespan. Colorado graduates achieve a 93.7% average certification exam pass rate and may pursue APRN licensure after earning national PMHNP certification through ANCC or AANP.
Walden University PMHNP Programs
National | $775 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP / MSN-DNP / DNP | Online
Aspiring Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners in Colorado can advance their careers through Walden University’s fully online PMHNP programs, including BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, MSN-PMHNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate tracks designed for maximum flexibility. With the support of Walden’s Practicum Pledge and a dedicated Field Placement Team, Colorado nurses are guaranteed help securing clinical sites across the state’s urban and rural areas, from Denver to the Western Slope. Graduates emerge prepared to meet Colorado’s growing demand for mental health providers, delivering evidence-based care across the lifespan in diverse mountain and plains communities.
WGU PMHNP Programs
National | flat rate cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN | Online
Two PMHNP pathways at WGU are fully online and competency-based. Learners complete 650 clinical hours locally, or 750 for Kansas entrants after March 1, 2025. A Program Mentor guides each step, with flat-rate tuition and minimum durations of 2.5 years (MSN) and 1.5 years (certificate).
FAQ
How many PMHNP programs are available in Colorado?
Three: CSU Pueblo, Regis University, and the University of Colorado. All three offer MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and post-graduate certificate pathways.
Are there fully online PMHNP programs in Colorado?
Yes — Regis University. Classes are synchronous but remote, held one day per week with no campus visits. CU is mostly online with minimal Aurora requirements, and CSU Pueblo is hybrid.
Which Colorado PMHNP program has the lowest tuition?
CSU Pueblo at every level — roughly $10K–$11K for the resident MSN, ~$15.5K for the BSN-to-DNP, and a certificate starting near $2.8K.
Which Colorado schools offer DNP pathways?
All three offer a BSN-to-DNP. CSU Pueblo is the cheapest (~$15.5K resident), CU is the top-ranked, and Regis lets students work as NPs during the doctoral phase.
Which programs require campus visits?
CSU Pueblo requires recurring on-campus instruction in Pueblo, and CU requires minimal in-person components in Aurora. Regis requires none.
Can clinicals be completed near where I live?
CU arranges placements for Denver Metro students. Regis students arrange their own sites with staff support, with some telehealth options. CSU Pueblo’s placement process is not clearly stated.
Can I enter a Colorado PMHNP program without a BSN?
No. All three schools require a BSN for entry. RNs with associate degrees should consider national online RN-to-MSN PMHNP programs.