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Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa

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2023 Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa

16 Schools Ranked
$32,796 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$32,012 Avg Student Debt

Today's nursing students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa ranking. Our analysis looked at 16 schools in Iowa to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Iowa

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa
$46,760 Average Tuition & Fees
$25,246 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Luther College to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Iowa.

Luther does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $46,760. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,246 in student loans.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Luther. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Luther College Report

#2

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
$33,590 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Northwestern College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Iowa.

NWC does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $33,590. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NWC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 27% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#3

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
$9,942 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,618 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Iowa is a great place for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree.

Students from Iowa who attend Iowa full time pay an average of $9,942 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $31,905. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,618 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Iowa, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of Iowa Report

#4

Dordt University

Sioux Center, Iowa
$33,590 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Dordt University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa list.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $33,590 to cover tuition and fees at Dordt. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

Dordt does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 29% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#5

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa
$33,570 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,244 Avg Student Debt

The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Saint Ambrose University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Iowa.

St. Ambrose University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $33,570. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,244 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at St. Ambrose University. In fact, around 4% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Saint Ambrose University Report

#6

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa
$33,609 Average Tuition & Fees
$34,703 Avg Student Debt

Upper Iowa University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list.

UIU does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $33,609. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UIU accumulate an average of $34,703 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UIU does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#7

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa
$9,634 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,598 Avg Student Debt

Iowa State University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs.

Students from Iowa who attend Iowa State full time pay an average of $9,634 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $25,446. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,598 in student loans.

Iowa State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 96% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Iowa State University

#8

Morningside College

Sioux City, Iowa
$35,270 Average Tuition & Fees
$26,099 Avg Student Debt

Morningside College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking.

The average tuition and fees at Morningside is $35,270. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,099 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Morningside, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 8% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#9

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
$36,540 Average Tuition & Fees
$29,114 Avg Student Debt

Mount Mercy University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa list.

The average tuition and fees at Mount Mercy is $36,540. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Mount Mercy accumulate an average of $29,114 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Mount Mercy. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 27% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Mount Mercy University

$31,920 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,121 Avg Student Debt

Graceland University - Lamoni did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #10 on the list.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $31,920 to cover tuition and fees at Graceland Lamoni. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Graceland Lamoni accumulate an average of $27,121 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Graceland Lamoni. During the 2019-2020 year, about 14% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Graceland University - Lamoni Report

#11

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa
$36,010 Average Tuition & Fees
$28,068 Avg Student Debt

University of Dubuque did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list.

The average tuition and fees at UD is $36,010. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,068 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that UD does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 18% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Dubuque

#12

Briar Cliff University

Sioux City, Iowa
$33,998 Average Tuition & Fees
$23,123 Avg Student Debt

Briar Cliff University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $33,998 to cover tuition and fees at Briar Cliff. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,123 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Briar Cliff. In fact, around 69% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#13

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa
$30,954 Average Tuition & Fees
$29,831 Avg Student Debt

Grand View University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs.

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $30,954 to cover tuition and fees at Grand View University. The school does not offer an in-state discount. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $29,831 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Grand View University does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 28% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Grand View University

#14

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
$48,822 Average Tuition & Fees
$25,555 Avg Student Debt

Coe College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs.

If you want to attend Coe, expect to pay an average of $48,822 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Coe accumulate an average of $25,555 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Full Coe College Report

#15

Iowa Wesleyan University

Mount Pleasant, Iowa
$33,650 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,096 Avg Student Debt

Iowa Wesleyan University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking.

The average tuition and fees at Iowa Wesleyan is $33,650. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,096 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Iowa Wesleyan. In 2019-2020 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#16

Clarke University

Dubuque, Iowa
$36,870 Average Tuition & Fees
$29,471 Avg Student Debt

Clarke University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Iowa ranking.

Clarke does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $36,870. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,471 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Clarke. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 10% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Clarke University

Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region

View Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 16 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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