University of Iowa

The University of Iowa provides students with immersive, hands-on learning experiences and education that equips them for thriving careers in the nursing field. From Early Decision pathways tailored for high-achieving high school students to Competitive Admission options for transfers and second-degree seekers, the University of Iowa College of Nursing offers various routes to accommodate diverse backgrounds and aspirations.

Discover University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

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School Ranking: A
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University of Iowa is a public and non-profit National University. The insitution offers a variety of hybrid, on-campus, and online programs—including BSN, Entry Level BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, Masters, RN to MSN, DNP, MSN to DNP, CNL, CRNA, NP, Post Grad Certificate, and Other degrees. Programs are accredited by the CCNE and the institution is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Student Demographics

  • 20 Average Age
  • 44% Men
  • 56% Women
  • 0% Veterans
  • 92% White
  • 4% Hispanic
  • 3% Black
  • 2% Asian

College Data provided by the U.S. Department of Education and complemented with additional insights from our analysts. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology.

Nursing Programs

  • $41,744 In-State Undergraduate Tuition*
  • $52,446 In-State Graduate Tuition*

*Tuition is an average of the programs listed below.

*Program Score compares similar specialty programs across our database. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology

The University of Iowa (UI) was founded in 1847 and is a public institution.

The College of Nursing, established in 1898, offers many nationally ranked graduate and undergraduate Nursing programs.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

There are two ways to earn admission to the University of Iowa College of Nursing: Early Decision and Competitive Admission.

Early Decision

This program is designed for high-achieving high school students. Up to 72 students will be selected to fill this cohort each fall.

To be considered for Early Decision, students must meet minimum GPA, ACT and course requirements and submit responses to essay questions on supplemental application.

Competitive Admission

Available for transfer, second degree and current Iowa students.

Minimum Criteria (not all inclusive)

  • Minimum 28 ACT Composite score
  • Minimum 25 ACT Science Reasoning Score
  • Minimum 3.8 or higher cumulative GPA
  • 4 years High School English, 1 year Biology, 1 year Chemistry, 1 year Physics
  • 4 years (fourth level proficiency) of the same world language or two years (second level proficiency) in two different world languages
  • Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry
  • 3 years Social Studies

RN-BSN

Degree requirements include a minimum of 128 semester hours and satisfactory completion of all RN-BSN program requirements including prerequisites, general education, elective requirements, and 32 semester hours of required and elective nursing major courses.

Two plans of study are offered: full-time (3 semesters) and part-time (5 semesters).

Graduate

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)

The program is comprised of six semesters plus one Winter session. This program is offered primarily online, with the exception of NURS:5031 Health Promotion and Assessment for Advance Clinical Practice, which requires time on campus. The GRE is not required for this program.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Baccalaureate or advanced degree in Nursing and approximately one year RN experience
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Graduate from CCNE or NLNAC accredited nursing program
  • Complete prerequisites by the start of the program 
  • Upper-level statistics course completed within 5 years of the application deadline

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Specialty Areas

  • Adult/Gero Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care
  • Adult/Gero Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Health Systems
  • Nurse Anesthetist
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Dual Certification: Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Adult/Gerontology - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Dual Certification: Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Dual Certification: Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Dual Certification:  Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care

MSN to DNP

Students entering the program with a master's degree must complete a minimum of 72 semester hours following the bachelor's degree. Some coursework from master's program may be counted toward the degree. 

  • Adult/Gero Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care (Post MSN/NP)
  • Adult/Gero Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care (Post MSN/NP)
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (Post MSN/NP)
  • Health Systems
  • Health Systems (for applicants with a non-Health Systems master's degree)
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care (Post MSN/NP)
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care (Post MSN/NP)
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Post MSN/NP)

Post-APRN to DNP

For MSN/APRNs that want to obtain a DNP:  Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

Post-Graduate Certificates

  • Post Graduate Adult/Gero - Acute Care Certificate
  • Post Graduate Adult/Gero - Primary Care Certificate
  • Post Graduate Family Certificate
  • Post Graduate Pediatric - Acute Care Certificate
  • Post Graduate Pediatric - Primary Care Certificate
  • Post Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Certificate

Nurse Anesthetist - DNP

This graduate program is designed for RNs with a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) who wish to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist (CRNA). The program can be completed in 36 months of study combined with clinical experience. The program has a low attrition rate of about 4-5%. Since converting to a DNP curriculum in 2010, the attrition rate has remained low, at 3.2% (2/62).

Approved Critical Care RN Experience

  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
  • Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
  • Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
  • Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)
  • Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)

Rankings

US News & World Report (2020)

  • #38 (tie) in Top Public Schools
  • #89 (tie) in National Universities
  • #53 (tie) in Best Colleges for Veterans
  • #88 in Best Value Schools
  • #65 (tie) in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs
  • #21 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
  • #17 in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • #4 (tie) in Clinical Nurse Leader
  • #8 (tie) in Nurse Practitioner: Adult / Gerontology, Acute Care
  • #8 (tie) in Nurse Practitioner: Adult / Gerontology, Primary Care
  • #7 (tie) in Nursing Administration
  • #10 (tie) in Nursing-Anesthesia
  • #159 (tie) Best Global Universities

NICHE (2019)

  • Colleges with the Best Student Life in America #27 of 1,542
  • Best Big Colleges in America #33 of 131
  • Top Public Universities in America #34 of 672
  • Best Colleges for Nursing in America #49 of 599
  • Best College Campuses in America #91 of 1,408
  • Best Colleges in America #123 of 1,647
  • Best College Locations in America #152 of 1,553
  • Most Liberal Colleges in America #157 of 687
  • Best Value Colleges in America #172 of 1,590
  • Colleges with the Best Academics in America #204 of 1,591
  • Most Diverse Colleges in America #283 of 1,592
  • Best College Locations in Iowa #1 of 27
  • Colleges with the Best Student Life in Iowa #1 of 27
  • Best Colleges for Nursing in Iowa #1 of 14
  • Top Public Universities in Iowa #1 of 3
  • Best Colleges in Iowa #2 of 27
  • Most Diverse Colleges in Iowa #2 of 25
  • Most Liberal Colleges in Iowa #2 of 10
  • Best Value Colleges in Iowa #3 of 27
  • Colleges with the Best Academics in Iowa #4 of 27
  • Best College Campuses in Iowa #4 of 26
  • Best Colleges in Cedar Rapids Area #1 of 4
  • Best Value Colleges in Cedar Rapids Area #1 of 4

Forbes (2018-2019)

  • #152 Top Colleges
  • #44 in Public Colleges
  • #81 in Research Universities
  • #25 in the Midwest
  • #99 America's Best Value Colleges

College Factual (2018-2019)

  • #1 Best Colleges for the Money in Iowa
  • #382 Overall Best Colleges for the Money nationally

The Princeton Review (2019)

  • The Best 384 Colleges
  • Best Midwestern

MONEY Magazine ranked UI #36 Best Colleges For Your Money (2018).

The AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org ranked the University of Iowa No. 1 on its list of "Best in Nursing for 2017".

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science, Post-graduate APRN, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).

The University of Iowa is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

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