Find Nursing Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa

Find Schools Near

2023 Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa

15 Schools Ranked
$5,924 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$17,337 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.

The Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 15 schools in Iowa to see which undergraduate certificate 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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

$6,120 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,283 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Northeast Iowa Community College the best school in Iowa for nursing students working on their undergraduate certificate.

Students from Iowa who attend NICC full time pay an average of $6,120 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,840. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from NICC accumulate an average of $15,283 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

NICC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Northeast Iowa Community College Report

#2

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa
$6,090 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,255 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 15 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Southeastern Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list.

In-state students pay an average of $6,090 in tuition and fees if they attend Southeastern Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,240. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,255 in student loans.

Southeastern Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Southeastern Community College Report

#3

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa
$5,977 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,286 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Hawkeye Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa list.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Hawkeye Community College is $5,977. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,524. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Hawkeye Community College accumulate an average of $15,286 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Hawkeye Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 41% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Hawkeye Community College

$6,540 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,120 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 15 schools in Iowa that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwest Iowa Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Northwest Iowa Community College is $6,540. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,840. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $14,120 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Northwest Iowa Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 68% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Northwest Iowa Community College

$4,802 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,541 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their undergraduate certificate.

In-state students pay an average of $4,802 in tuition and fees if they attend Western Iowa Tech Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,826. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,541 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that Western Iowa Tech Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

$5,971 Average Tuition & Fees

North Iowa Area Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #6 on the list.

Students from Iowa who attend North Iowa Area Community College full time pay an average of $5,971 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,547.

North Iowa Area Community College is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read More…

#7

Iowa Central Community College

Fort Dodge, Iowa
$6,000 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,673 Avg Student Debt

Iowa Central Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate nursing programs.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Iowa Central Community College is $6,000. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,650. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Iowa Central Community College accumulate an average of $11,673 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Iowa Central Community College. In 2019-2020 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Iowa Central Community College

#8

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
$6,330 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,734 Avg Student Debt

Iowa Western Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa list.

Students from Iowa who attend Iowa Western Community College full time pay an average of $6,330 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,480. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $12,734 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Iowa Western Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Iowa Western Community College Report

#9

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa
$5,040 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,664 Avg Student Debt

Marshalltown Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #9 on the list.

Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $5,040 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Marshalltown Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,448. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $22,664 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Marshalltown Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Marshalltown Community College

$16,753 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best undergraduate certificate nursing programs.

Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges accumulate an average of $16,753 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Eastern Iowa Community Colleges does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

$16,511 Avg Student Debt

Des Moines Area Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #11 on the list.

On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $16,511 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at DMACC. In fact, around 63% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#12

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
$5,308 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,474 Avg Student Debt

Kirkwood Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa list.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Kirkwood Community College is $5,308. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,072. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from Kirkwood Community College accumulate an average of $19,474 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Kirkwood Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Kirkwood Community College Report

$6,060 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,035 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Southwestern Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their undergraduate certificate.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SWCC is $6,060. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,270. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,035 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at SWCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Southwestern Community College Report

$19,190 Avg Student Debt

Indian Hills Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa ranking.

On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $19,190 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at IHCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 36% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Indian Hills Community College

#15

Iowa Lakes Community College

Estherville, Iowa
$6,844 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,327 Avg Student Debt

Iowa Lakes Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in Iowa list.

Full-time students from Iowa pay an average of $6,844 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Iowa Lakes Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,196. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,327 in student loans.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Iowa Lakes Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Iowa Lakes Community College

Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools in the Plains States Region

View Best Nursing Undergraduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 15 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.

Featured Schools

Find Nursing Schools Near You

Our free matching tool for schools matches students with nursing schools across the U.S.