Iowa Nursing Schools And Programs

Iowa pairs strong nurse demand with one of the lowest costs of living in the country, which makes it a practical place to train and practice. This guide covers the licensing steps, the salary and job picture, and the programs worth a close look.

The Best Nursing Schools in Iowa

North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) is the oldest community college in the state, a two-year institution serving about 3,000 students. Its associate of applied science in nursing has two entry paths, one for new college students and one for licensed practical nurses. Some clinical experiences run evenings and weekends and may require travel.

• Program: Associate of applied science in nursing
• Campus: Mason City, IA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $172 per credit (Iowa residents); $258 (out of state)
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent; transcripts; minimum 20 ACT
• Minimum Time: 24 months
• Onsite Requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate: 91%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $57,995 (associate), per College Scorecard

Coe College, an ecumenical liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, enrolls over 1,400 students. Its BSN offers two entry paths: direct entry for high school seniors with a 27 ACT and 3.7 GPA, and standard entry for sophomore-level or higher students who finished Coe's general education requirements with at least a 2.7 GPA.

• Program: BSN
• Campus: Cedar Rapids, IA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $50,314 per year
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent; minimum 3.0 GPA; personal essay
• Minimum Time: Four years
• Onsite Requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate: 89%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $58,402 (bachelor's), per College Scorecard

Northwest Iowa Community College (NCC) became a comprehensive community college in 1993. Its one-year associate of applied science in nursing is open to LPNs or graduates of NCC's practical nursing program, covering medical-surgical, obstetric, pediatric, geriatric, and psychiatric nursing. The program qualifies for free tuition through the Iowa Last Dollar Scholarship.

• Program: Associate of applied science in nursing
• Campus: Sheldon, IA
• Type: Public
• Approved by: Iowa Board of Nursing
• Tuition: $183 per credit (Iowa residents); $193 (out of state)
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent; transcripts; valid LPN license and proof of eligibility to practice
• Minimum Time: 12 months
• Onsite Requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate: 83%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $50,439 (associate), per College Scorecard

Mount Mercy University (MMU), a Catholic university sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, enrolls 1,600 students and awards bachelor's, master's, and doctoral nursing degrees. The DNP offers a 44-credit family-nurse-practitioner pathway for students who are not yet certified NPs, and a 27-credit option for those already certified in any specialty.

• Program: DNP
• Campus: Cedar Rapids, IA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $890 per credit
• Admission: MSN; valid RN license; minimum 3.25 GPA; three recommendation letters; resume; interview
• Minimum Time: 16 months
• Onsite Requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate: 92%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $56,847 (bachelor's), per College Scorecard

St. Luke's College, affiliated with UnityPoint Health, runs a health-system-based 72-credit associate degree in nursing that prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN. The curriculum includes simulation and multi-bed experiences in dedicated skill labs plus hands-on clinicals at UnityPoint Health and other sites.

• Program: Associate degree in nursing
• Campus: Sioux City, IA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $540 per credit
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent; transcripts; minimum 2.5 GPA; minimum 19 ACT
• Minimum Time: 24 months
• Onsite Requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate: 93%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $50,856 (associate), per College Scorecard

Iowa Lakes Community College offers 60 certificates, degrees, and pre-professional programs in the state's Great Lakes region. Its 85-credit associate in nursing runs onsite or hybrid at the Emmetsburg campus and lets students earn a practical nursing diploma after 46 credits.

• Program: Associate degree in nursing
• Campus: Emmetsburg, IA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Iowa Board of Nursing
• Tuition: $191 per credit (Iowa residents); $202 (out of state)
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent; transcripts; minimum 3.0 GPA; minimum 20 ACT
• Minimum Time: 24 months
• Onsite Requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate: 92%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $46,868 (associate), per College Scorecard

Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC), established in 1966, enrolls over 5,000 students. It offers onsite and hybrid associate-in-nursing programs at its Sioux City campus and onsite at Denison. Students complete the LPN program in year one and finish the associate degree in year two.

• Program: Associate of applied science in nursing
• Campus: Sioux City, IA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $14,381 per year (Iowa residents); $14,454 (out of state)
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent; transcripts; minimum 24 ACT; WITCC practical nursing program completion or valid LPN license plus six credits of anatomy and physiology
• Minimum Time: 24 months
• Onsite Requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate: 72%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $50,387 (associate), per College Scorecard

Morningside University, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, changed its name from Morningside College in 2021. Its DNP, the school's first doctoral program, offers tracks in direct patient care and transformative leadership with BSN-to-DNP or MSN-to-DNP entry. The online program requires a one-day residency for project dissemination and competency demonstration.

• Program: Doctor of nursing practice
• Campus: Sioux City, IA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $590 per credit
• Admission: Bachelor's or master's degree; transcripts; minimum 3.0 GPA; valid RN license; two recommendation letters; resume; goal essay
• Minimum Time: 12 months
• Onsite Requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate: 87%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $58,479 (bachelor's), per College Scorecard

St. Ambrose University (SAU), founded in 1882 and fully coeducational since 1968, is a Catholic-sponsored institution. First-time college students enter the traditional four-year BSN; the accelerated track lets non-nursing bachelor's holders finish in 16 months. The curriculum includes clinical experience in acute care and community settings.

• Program: BSN
• Campus: Davenport, IA
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $34,390 per year
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent; transcripts; minimum 2.5 GPA
• Minimum Time: 16 months
• Onsite Requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate: 88%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $59,377 (bachelor's), per College Scorecard

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) serves several counties along the Mississippi River. Students earn an associate of applied science in nursing in under two years, with a strong clinical component, typically two clinical days a week in direct patient care, plus conference, observation, and simulation lab practice.

• Program: Associate of applied science in nursing
• Campus: Davenport, IA
• Type: Public
• Approved by: Iowa Board of Nursing
• Tuition: $179 per credit (Iowa residents); $246 (out of state)
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent; transcripts; minimum 2.75 GPA; Certified Nurse Aide curriculum completion and active status on the Iowa Direct Worker Registry
• Minimum Time: 22 months
• Onsite Requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate: 78%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $54,996 (associate), per College Scorecard

How to Choose a Nursing Program in Iowa

Weigh cost, program length, financial aid, and curriculum against your goals. Then check whether the program prepares students well by reviewing accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, and graduation rates. If you choose an online program, confirm it arranges local clinical placement.

Why Become a Nurse in Iowa

Iowa expects nurse demand above the national average and carries one of the lowest costs of living in the country, with an index near 90 against a national 100. That combination stretches a nurse's pay further than the raw salary suggests.

Iowa also belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which now spans 41 states plus several territories. A multistate license lets Iowa nurses practice across compact states with minimal paperwork, and nurses moving to Iowa from another compact state apply for primary licensure here.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Iowa

Iowa RNs earn below the national RN median of $93,600, among the lower averages in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). Iowa nurse practitioners earn closer to the national NP median of roughly $129,000. The state's low cost of living offsets much of the RN gap. Wages run highest in the more populated metros, led by Iowa City and Des Moines.

Nationally, the BLS projects employment for nurse practitioners to grow about 35% from 2024 to 2034, far faster than average, with steady growth for registered nurses. Iowa's demand outlook sits above the national rate.

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Iowa

Prospective RNs graduate from a board-approved program, pass the NCLEX, and complete a background check. APRNs meet those same requirements plus a graduate nursing degree and a specialty certification exam. Both renew their licenses by meeting continuing-education requirements.

RN Requirements

Graduate from an accredited ADN or BSN program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for state licensure. Fees include a $200 examination fee, $93 application fee, and $50 background check. RNs need 36 continuing-education hours every three years. Nurses who regularly examine, counsel, or treat dependent adults or children must also complete abuse identification and reporting training.

APRN Requirements

You need an unencumbered RN license, an MSN or DNP, and a passing national specialty certification exam. Fees include a varying examination fee, an $81 application fee, and a $50 background check. APRNs need 36 contact hours each year, plus the same abuse-reporting training when it applies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Iowa

How long does it take to become an RN? Fulltime students finish an ADN in two years or a BSN in four; parttime takes longer. An MSN typically adds two years after a BSN plus two years of clinical experience, so reaching APRN practice can take up to eight years.

Is Iowa a compact state? Yes. Iowa initiated compact legislation in 1998, which took effect in 2000. Iowa nurses can hold a multistate license; those moving from another compact state must apply for primary licensure in Iowa.

Does an online degree hold the same value? As with onsite programs, it depends on the institution. Over 90% of online students at Allen College, Graceland University, Mount Mercy University, Northwest Iowa Community College, and the University of Iowa passed the NCLEX on their first attempt.