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Best Nursing Schools in Iowa: 2026-2027 Rankings

Accredited nursing schools in Iowa combine rigorous clinical preparation with strong student outcomes. Top programs like Mercy College of Health Sciences lead the state in NCLEX pass rates, affordability, and regional clinical placements. Ranked using the allnurses Quality Score across 12 federal data indicators.

1

B Des Moines, IA

Mercy College of Health Sciences is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Des Moines, Iowa with about 869 students. Annual in-state tuition is $17,664.

3 Nursing Programs Offered

ADN, BSN, RN-BSN

2

B Sioux City, IA

St Luke's College is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Sioux City, Iowa with about 176 students. The acceptance rate is 80%.

3 Nursing Programs Offered

ADN, BSN, RN-BSN

3

B Iowa City, IA

One of the larger institutions in the state, University of Iowa is a public school in Iowa City, Iowa with over 30,779 students. Annual in-state tuition is $11,283.

7 Nursing Programs Offered

ABSN, BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert

4

B- Ames, IA

One of the larger institutions in the state, Iowa State University is a public school in Ames, Iowa with over 30,380 students. The acceptance rate is 89%.

Offering BSN Program

5

B- Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University is a private nonprofit institution in Davenport, Iowa. The acceptance rate is 77%.

4 Nursing Programs Offered

ABSN, BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP

6

B- Decorah, IA

Luther College is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Decorah, Iowa with about 1,384 students. The acceptance rate is 72%.

Offering BSN Program

7

B- Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with about 1,195 students. The acceptance rate is 64%.

Offering BSN Program

8

B- Cedar Rapids, IA

Mount Mercy University is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with about 1,417 students. The school reports a 57% graduation rate.

9 Nursing Programs Offered

ABSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, DNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, PhD

9

B- Sioux City, IA

A private nonprofit institution, Morningside University serves students in Sioux City, Iowa. Annual in-state tuition is $39,660.

7 Nursing Programs Offered

BSN, MSN, MSN-CNS, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert

10

B- Dubuque, IA

Clarke University is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Dubuque, Iowa with about 962 students. Annual in-state tuition is $40,910.

9 Nursing Programs Offered

BSN, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, DNP-NL, MSN, MSN-FNP, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert

11

B- Sioux Center, IA

Dordt University is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Sioux Center, Iowa with about 1,952 students. The school reports a 66% graduation rate.

Offering BSN Program

12

B- Des Moines, IA

Grand View University is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Des Moines, Iowa with about 1,856 students. The acceptance rate is 99%.

4 Nursing Programs Offered

ABSN, BSN, MSN, MSN-FNP

13

B- Lamoni, IA

Graceland University-Lamoni is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Lamoni, Iowa with about 1,102 students. Graduates earn a median of $47,361 within ten years.

10 Nursing Programs Offered

ABSN, BSN, MSN, MSN-AGNP, MSN-FNP, MSN-NE, MSN-NL, PhD, Post-BSN-Cert, Post-MSN-Cert

14
N

B- Orange City, IA

Northwestern College is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Orange City, Iowa with about 1,705 students. Graduates earn a median of $49,802 within ten years.

Offering BSN Program

15
N

B- Sheldon, IA

Northwest Iowa Community College is a smaller public institution in Sheldon, Iowa with about 1,907 students. The school reports a 60% graduation rate.

Offering ADN Program

16

B- Calmar, IA

A public institution, Northeast Iowa Community College serves students in Calmar, Iowa. Graduates earn a median of $41,306 within ten years.

2 Nursing Programs Offered

ADN, LPN

17

B- Mason City, IA

Based in Mason City, Iowa, North Iowa Area Community College is a public institution. The school reports a 55% graduation rate.

Offering ADN Program

18

B- Sioux City, IA

Briar Cliff University is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Sioux City, Iowa with about 947 students. Annual in-state tuition is $36,956.

11 Nursing Programs Offered

ABSN, BSN, BSN-DNP, Direct-Entry-MSN, DNP, DNP-FNP, MSN, MSN-FNP, MSN-NL, PhD, Post-MSN-Cert

19

C+ Creston, IA

Southwestern Community College is a smaller public institution in Creston, Iowa with about 1,566 students. Graduates earn a median of $40,129 within ten years.

Offering ADN Program

20

C+ Oskaloosa, IA

William Penn University is a smaller private nonprofit institution in Oskaloosa, Iowa with about 1,425 students. The acceptance rate is 52%.

Offering BSN Program

21
I

C+ Fort Dodge, IA

With annual in-state tuition at $5,496, Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa is among the more affordable public options in the region. Total enrollment is about 4,949 students.

Offering ADN Program

22
W

C+ Sioux City, IA

With annual in-state tuition at $5,186, Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City, Iowa is among the more affordable public options in the region. Total enrollment is about 5,482 students.

Offering ADN Program

23

C+ Davenport, IA

With annual in-state tuition at $4,848, Eastern Iowa Community College District in Davenport, Iowa is among the more affordable public options in the region. Graduates earn a median of $39,060 within ten years.

Offering ADN Program

24

C+ Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa University provides nursing education from its campus in Fayette, Iowa. Total enrollment is about 3,941 students.

Offering BSN Program

25
M

C+ Marshalltown, IA

With annual in-state tuition at $5,496, Marshalltown Community College in Marshalltown, Iowa is among the more affordable public options in the region. Graduates earn a median of $41,010 within ten years.

Offering ADN Program

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