Is Denver College of Nursing Worth It? Nurses Review

No matter what nursing degree you want, choosing the right school is important. Selecting a school that doesn't meet your needs can feel like losing out on time and money. That's why we created this comprehensive Denver College of Nursing (DCN) review. Our experienced nurses investigated DCN's degrees, specialties, tuition, and other determining factors to discover whether this university is worth it. 

By the end of this nursing school review, you'll be able to make an informed decision on whether Denver College of Nursing is right for you.

About Denver College of Nursing

Denver College of Nursing is a private university providing students with many nursing education levels. Aspiring nurses can attend associate's degree in nursing (ADN), bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), registered nurse RN to BSN, and master’s of science in nursing (MSN) programs at DCN. Denver College of Nursing also offers online nursing degree options for graduate students who need more flexibility in their nursing education.

The university has two brick-and-mortar locations. One is in lower-downtown Denver, which offers online options for post-licensure students. The second campus is in Houston, Texas.

Denver College of Nursing stands out because it offers hands-on clinical education in various healthcare environments. The school also boasts low student-to-teacher ratios. Moreover, DCN’s career services provide students with job placement assistance and other networking opportunities.

Stats  

• Private or public: Private, for-profit

• General tuition: $10,736 (per academic year)

• Acceptance rate: N/A

• NCLEX pass rate: 

  • BSN: 94.53%

  • ADN: 93.75%

• Application deadlines: Rolling admissions

  • Denver campus: 

    • July start: January 1

    • October start: April 1

    • January start: July 1

    • April start: October 1

  • BSN Houston campus:

    • January start: December 1

  • Online campus:

    • July start: June 28

• Accreditation:

  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

  • Colorado State Board of Nursing (CBON)

• Diversity:

  • 87% female

  • 13% male

  • 56% White

  • 15% Hispanic/Latino

  • 14% Black or African American

  • 6% Asian

  • 1% American Indian or Alaskan

Source: College Navigator

Contact Information

• Address:

  • Denver campus: 1401 19th St, Denver, Colorado 80202

  • Houston campus: 1155 Dairy Ashford, Suite 310 Houston, TX 77079

• Email:

  • On-campus programs: jjohnson@denvercollegeofnursing.edu 

  • RN-BSN programs: dsnonline@denvercollegeofnursing.edu

• Phone number: (303) 292-0015

• Social platforms:

  • YouTube

  • Facebook

  • Twitter

Additional Info

• Rankings: #477 in Best BSN Programs, U.S. News and World Report

• Total number of students: 1,072 (1,046 undergraduate)

• Graduation rate: 

  • ADN: 86%

  • BSN: 89%

  • RN-BSN:48%

  • MSN: 92%

• Student/faculty ratios: 16:1

• Metrics about clinical hours:

  • Clinical hours are typically 8-12 hours

  • May include nights, weekends, holidays, and school breaks

Degrees Offered

ADN

• Tuition: $37,754

• Program Length: 6 quarters (18 months)

• Online Options Available? No

BSN 

• Tuition: $51,342 (less if attending nursing completion program)

• Program Length: 13 quarters (seven quarters in nursing completion option)

• Online options available? No

RN to BSN

• Tuition: $14,183

• Program Length: dependent on the student

• Online options available? Yes

MSN

• Tuition: $15,137

• Program Length: 15-18 months

• Online options available? Yes

Specialties Offered

Undergraduates at Denver College of Nursing obtain an ADN or a BSN upon graduation, depending on their chosen program.

Practicing nurses hoping to specialize through DCN can earn their Master of Science in Nursing degree online. This nursing specialty is for RNs who wish to expand their knowledge and become nurse leaders and educators.

Is Denver College of Nursing a Good Program?

Distinguishing factors suggest that Denver College of Nursing offers quality nursing programs. For example, DCN has a high NCLEX pass rate of 95% for BSN graduates and 94% for ADN graduates. This rate is high compared to some of the best nursing schools in Colorado and the NCSBN national average of 82% (BSN) and 78% (ADN).

In addition, the school has national accreditation with the CCNE, a regulatory body that ensures the quality and integrity of nursing programs in the US. This accreditation indicates that the Denver School of Nursing meets nurse education standards and prepares students for nursing practice.

What Do You Need to Get Into Denver College of Nursing?

Denver College of Nursing has different prerequisites for in-person and online nursing programs. The following is a breakdown of what you need to get into any program at DCN.

General DCN Admissions Requirements

Like other nursing schools in Denver, DCN has general prerequisites for its programs. These include the following:

• Be at least 18 years old at the start of the program
• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Complete an application
• Interview with an admissions representative
• Sign an enrollment agreement
• Complete a background check and drug screening
• Submit transcripts of completed prerequisites relevant to your degree

Denver College of Nursing ADN Admissions Requirements

• One-page written personal essay
• Completion of required prerequisite courses
• Minimum 2.0 GPA in prerequisites
•  75% on HESI A2 exam score (students without prior baccalaureate)

Denver College of Nursing BSN Admissions Requirements

• Completion of required prerequisite courses
• Minimum 2.0 GPA in prerequisites/prior baccalaureate
•  75% on HESI H2 exam scores (students without prior baccalaureate)
• For RN to BSN students:
• Submit transcripts from accredited ADN program
• Hold RN licensure from the state in which you practice

Denver College of Nursing MSN Admissions Requirements

• A BSN from an AACN/CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA-accredited program
• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA 
• B or higher grades in all undergraduate nursing courses 
• Three letters of recommendation
• Submission of a one-page essay 
• Two years of RN clinical practice preferred

How Hard is the Nursing Program at Denver College of Nursing?

Obtaining a nursing degree is incredibly challenging, no matter what school you choose. Students must maintain excellent time management to stay ahead of their studies. Comparing schools to ensure your program meets your specific needs is also vital.

Denver College of Nursing has similar requirements as other nursing schools. The website reports that onsite students can expect classes scheduled anytime between 7:00 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Students must also prepare for 8-12 hour hands-on clinical shifts, which may be on nights, weekends, and holidays.

What Kind of Support Does Denver College of Nursing Offer Their Nursing Students?

Denver School of Nursing student services offer robust support to the student body. Some benefits you might enjoy if you attend DCN include but aren’t limited to the following:

• Library and Learning Resources Center
• Access to the Blackboard learning management system
• Student Technology and Resource Center
• Career services 
• Numerous clinical site placement opportunities

How Much Is the Nursing Program at Denver College of Nursing?

Denver College of Nursing’s tuition and fees depend on the program you attend. Here’s an approximate breakdown of the different costs of each DCN degree program.

ADN COst

BSN Cost

RN to BSN Cost

MSN Cost

Is Denver College of Nursing Worth It?

Whether or not DCN is worth it depends on one’s needs and goals. For example, if an aspiring student wants to attend a program that ensures NCLEX exam success, DCN may be worth it because it has such high NCLEX pass rates.

Passing the NCLEX will also help graduates find employment and begin paying off any debt they accrue while attending Denver College of Nursing. The median annual salary for RNs is $77,600 or $37.31 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While this figure varies depending on where you live or the company you work for, RNs often make enough to sustain living costs in their areas and make timely student loan repayments.

Finally, DCN may be worth it for students who want higher chances of completing the nursing program. Most program completion rates are over 80% at Denver College of Nursing, but the RN-BSN program completion rates fall just short of 48%.

Depending on an individual’s needs, goals, and budget, these factors may make this university worth attending.

What is Denver College of Nursing's Transfer Policy?

Students who complete ADN or BSN nursing program prerequisite requirements can transfer those credits to DCN. Students may also transfer their general education courses from other accredited institutions.

Since Denver College of Nursing is a nationally accredited nursing program, many outside universities accept credit transfers into their program. 

However, every school has different rules regarding transfer credits. To know whether your DCN credits will transfer, check with the admissions office at the school you want to attend.

Denver College of Nursing Reviews

On one Indeed poll of 18 Denver College of Nursing students, the university received 4.1 stars out of five stars.

One 2020 ADN graduate left a review about this program on Indeed, stating:

“This is a rigorous, accelerated nursing program for a Bachelor's degree in nursing. The curriculum is challenging and the clinical/ simulation hours are demanding. The school really does a great job in preparing nurses to sit for NCLEX and has one of the highest pass rates in the state. I really enjoyed the challenge in the program and the high expectation. It made me a better nurse.”

Another 2019 graduate student in the same Indeed poll for Denver College of Nursing wrote:

“Good combination of in class and online learning. Over 700 clinical hours, friendly staff, but great team because it made nursing school fun and manageable with group studying.”

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