7 accredited schools across the Denver metro area trained 933 nursing assistants in 2023–24. Here’s how they compare on cost, length and size, plus what the job pays locally.
Updated October 2026 · Data: IPEDS 2023–24, BLS May 2025
Sorted by number of 2023–24 graduates (IPEDS), a proxy for program size and stability.
273 CNA credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public four-year institution, the 2nd-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,940 ($16,174 out of state).
Public four-year institution in Westminster that reported 171 CNA graduates in 2023–24, the 4th-most in the state. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,940 ($16,174 out of state).
Public career school in Denver that reported 146 CNA graduates in 2023–24.
Public four-year institution in Denver that reported 111 CNA graduates in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,941 ($16,174 out of state).
107 CNA credentials awarded in 2023–24 at this public four-year institution. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,936 ($16,176 out of state).
This private for-profit two-year college in Adams County graduated 70 CNA students in 2023–24.
This public two-year college in Arapahoe County graduated 55 CNA students in 2023–24. Annual in-district tuition (before fees): $3,754 ($15,404 out of state).
7 accredited schools in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area graduated 933 CNA students in 2023–24. The largest was Arapahoe Community College with 273.
Certified Nursing Assistants in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro earn a median $49,110 a year ($23.61/hour), per BLS May 2025 data. That compares with $47,380 statewide and $42,260 nationally.
Federal rules require at least 75 hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Many states require more.