2026 Best Nursing Schools in Iowa
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in Iowa? We have ranked 75 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Nursing Degree Search evaluated 69 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in Iowa
Explore the leading schools below:
Luther College earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in Iowa. This private not-for-profit school is set in Decorah, IA. Luther College graduates 71% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. The median Nursing program debt is $26,967. More on Luther College
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You'll be in good company at Northwestern College Iowa, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Orange City, IA, Northwestern College Iowa is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical Nursing student debt is $25,415. Read the full report on Northwestern College Iowa
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A rank of #3 makes University Of Iowa one of the top choices in Iowa. Located in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $24,463. Get the full University Of Iowa report
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Graceland University Lamoni came in at #4 on this year's Nursing ranking in Iowa. Located in Lamoni, IA, Graceland University Lamoni is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,848. Graceland University Lamoni Nursing students take on a median of $27,509 in debt. See the full Graceland University Lamoni profile
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The strong Nursing programs at Dordt College earned it the #5 place in Iowa. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sioux Center, IA. Dordt College posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,050. Typical Nursing student debt is $21,812. Read the full report on Dordt College
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Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar did well this year, earning the #6 position. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a public school based in Calmar, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Typical Nursing student debt is $14,348. Read the full report on Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar
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Saint Ambrose University placed #7 among Nursing schools in Iowa. Located in Davenport, IA, Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,528. Get the full Saint Ambrose University report
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North Iowa Area Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Mason City, IA, North Iowa Area Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. North Iowa Area Community College Nursing students take on a median of $12,043 in debt. Read more about North Iowa Area Community College
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Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Set in Sioux City, IA, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. The median Nursing program debt is $11,886. Read the full report on Western Iowa Tech Community College
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Morningside College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Sioux City, IA, Morningside College is a private not-for-profit institution. Morningside College graduates 50% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,519. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,281. See the full Morningside College profile
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Upper Iowa University placed #11 among Nursing schools in Iowa. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fayette, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. The median Nursing program debt is $34,059. Read more about Upper Iowa University
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Northwest Iowa Community College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Sheldon, IA, Northwest Iowa Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Students borrow a median of $12,271 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Northwest Iowa Community College
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Iowa State University landed the #13 spot in Iowa this year. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,495 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Iowa State University
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Des Moines Area Community College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Des Moines Area Community College
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Southeastern Community College West Burlington came in at #15 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in West Burlington, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,126. Get the full Southeastern Community College West Burlington report
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Iowa Central Community College did well this year, earning the #16 position. Iowa Central Community College is a public school based in Fort Dodge, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Iowa Central Community College
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Mount Mercy University did well this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cedar Rapids, IA. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $40,878. The median Nursing program debt is $27,709. More on Mount Mercy University
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Hawkeye Community College placed #18 among Nursing schools in Iowa. Located in Waterloo, IA, Hawkeye Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. The median Nursing program debt is $17,001. More on Hawkeye Community College
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Briar Cliff University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Briar Cliff University is a private not-for-profit school based in Sioux City, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,642. The median Nursing program debt is $29,918. See the full Briar Cliff University profile
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University Of Dubuque landed the #20 spot in Iowa this year. University Of Dubuque is a private not-for-profit school based in Dubuque, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. Students from in state pay about $42,095 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,204 to complete their Nursing program here. More on University Of Dubuque
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Iowa Western Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Council Bluffs, IA, Iowa Western Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Read the full report on Iowa Western Community College
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Grand View University placed #22 among Nursing schools in Iowa. Located in Des Moines, IA, Grand View University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,762. Graduates carry a median of $26,941 in student loans. Read more about Grand View University
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Kirkwood Community College did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Cedar Rapids, IA, Kirkwood Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,779 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Kirkwood Community College
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Marshalltown Community College landed the #24 spot in Iowa this year. Located in Marshalltown, IA, Marshalltown Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $11,577. Get the full Marshalltown Community College report
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Coe College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Coe College is a private not-for-profit school based in Cedar Rapids, IA. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,666. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Coe College report
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Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #26 spot in Iowa this year. Based in Davenport, IA, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Eastern Iowa Community College District Nursing students take on a median of $15,995 in debt. Get the full Eastern Iowa Community College District report
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Clarke University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Clarke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dubuque, IA. About 56% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,910. Students borrow a median of $26,895 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Clarke University
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Southwestern Community College Creston ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Creston, IA, Southwestern Community College Creston is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,064, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Southwestern Community College Creston report
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Indian Hills Community College landed the #30 spot in Iowa this year. Based in Ottumwa, IA, Indian Hills Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $15,390. See the full Indian Hills Community College profile
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Iowa Lakes Community College landed the #31 spot in Iowa this year. Iowa Lakes Community College is a public school based in Estherville, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,392, with out-of-state students paying around $7,872. Iowa Lakes Community College Nursing students take on a median of $20,876 in debt. Read the full report on Iowa Lakes Community College
Request InformationDes Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read the full report on Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center
Request InformationMercy College Of Health Sciences placed #32 among Nursing schools in Iowa. Read the full report on Mercy College Of Health Sciences
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Allen College
Allen College placed #33 among Nursing schools in Iowa. Read more about Allen College
Request InformationCapri College Davenport landed the #34 spot in Iowa this year. Get the full Capri College Davenport report
Request InformationLa James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read more about La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology
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St Lukes College
St Lukes College placed #36 among Nursing schools in Iowa. See the full St Lukes College profile
Request InformationIowa School Of Beauty Des Moines ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read more about Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines
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Drake University
Drake University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read the full report on Drake University
Request InformationLa James International College Cedar Falls ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read the full report on La James International College Cedar Falls
Request InformationMercy St Lukes School Of Radiologic Technology came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Get the full Mercy St Lukes School Of Radiologic Technology report
Request InformationWartburg Theological Seminary ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read the full report on Wartburg Theological Seminary
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Grinnell College
Grinnell College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. See the full Grinnell College profile
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Central College
Central College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. See the full Central College profile
Request InformationPalmer College Of Chiropractic Davenport came in at #44 in this year's ranking. See the full Palmer College Of Chiropractic Davenport profile
Request InformationLa James International College Ft Dodge came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Read more about La James International College Ft Dodge
Request InformationBuena Vista University placed #46 among Nursing schools in Iowa. Get the full Buena Vista University report
Request InformationAveda Institute Des Moines placed #47 among Nursing schools in Iowa. Read the full report on Aveda Institute Des Moines
Request InformationEmmaus Bible College landed the #48 spot in Iowa this year. More on Emmaus Bible College
Request InformationPci Academy Iowa City ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Get the full Pci Academy Iowa City report
Request InformationEllsworth Community College placed #50 among Nursing schools in Iowa. Read more about Ellsworth Community College
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 69 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 75 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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