2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa ranking. Our analysis looked at 31 schools in Iowa to see which programs offered the best value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Nursing Schools in Iowa
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Western Iowa Tech Community College the best value school in Iowa for nursing students working on their degree. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution located in Sioux City, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 499 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Western Iowa Tech Community College are $4,826 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,142 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,155 during the early year of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Des Moines Area Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa list. Des Moines Area Community College is a large public school located in Ankeny, Iowa that handed out 504 degrees in 2020-2021.
DMACC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,440 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $16,577 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $64, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, DMACC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,576 during the early year of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Eastern Iowa Community College District. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa list. This medium-sized public school is located in Davenport, Iowa, and it awarded 114 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges are $5,904 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,463 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,028 during the early year of their career.
The excellent programs at North Iowa Area Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Iowa. North Iowa Area Community College is located in Mason City, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 178 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Iowa Area Community College are $8,547 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,157 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, North Iowa Area Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,111 during the early year of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northeast Iowa Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa list. NICC is a small public school situated in Calmar, Iowa. It awarded 182 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NICC are $6,840 per year. On average, students take out $15,283 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, NICC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,089 during the early year of their career.
In addition to its great value ranking, NICC is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in Iowa list.
Marshalltown Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa ranking. This small public school is located in Marshalltown, Iowa, and it awarded 43 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Marshalltown Community College are $5,448 per year. On average, students take out $18,972 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Marshalltown Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,535 during the early years of their career.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and it awarded 255 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Iowa Central Community College are $8,650 per year. On average, students take out $19,575 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $62, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Iowa Central Community College graduates make an average of $39,705 annually.
Southeastern Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa ranking. Southeastern Community College is a small public school situated in West Burlington, Iowa. It awarded 222 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southeastern Community College are $6,240 per year. On average, students take out $15,654 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Southeastern Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,945 during the early year of their career.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa list. Hawkeye Community College is located in Waterloo, Iowa and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 degrees to qualified students.
Hawkeye Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,524 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,679 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Hawkeye Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,877 during the early year of their career.
Kirkwood Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa list. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the fairly large public school awarded 192 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Kirkwood Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,072 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $19,882 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $59, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Kirkwood Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,090 during the early year of their career.
Northwest Iowa Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa ranking. Located in Sheldon, Iowa, the small public school awarded 84 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Northwest Iowa Community College are $6,840 a year. On average, students take out $15,751 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Northwest Iowa Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,199 during the early years of their career.
Indian Hills Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list. This small public school is located in Ottumwa, Iowa, and it awarded 49 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at IHCC are $6,000 per year. On average, students take out $17,709 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from IHCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,385 during the early years of their career.
Iowa Western Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the medium-sized public school awarded 318 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Iowa Western Community College are $6,480 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,104 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $97 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Iowa Western Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,271 during the early years of their career.
Morningside College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa list. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 79 students in 2020-2021.
Morningside undergraduate students pay an average of $35,270 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,099 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $208. During the early years of their career, Morningside graduates make an average of $51,189 annually.
Southwestern Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa list. SWCC is a public institution located in Creston, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 88 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SWCC are $6,270 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,500 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, SWCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,739 during the early year of their career.
University of Iowa ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa list. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, the large public school awarded 288 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Iowa undergraduate students pay an average of $31,905 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $23,563 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $379, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Iowa graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,430 during the early year of their career.
Iowa not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Nursing Schools in Iowa list.
Iowa State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa ranking. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 7 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Iowa State are $25,446 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,598 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $257, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Iowa State graduates make an average of $48,142 annually.
Graceland University - Lamoni did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. Graceland University - Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in Lamoni, Iowa that handed out 272 degrees in 2020-2021.
Graceland Lamoni undergraduate students pay an average of $31,920 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $27,121 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $180 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Graceland Lamoni graduates make an average of $54,336 annually.
Graceland Lamoni did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Nursing Schools in Iowa list.
Iowa Lakes Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa ranking. Iowa Lakes Community College is located in Estherville, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Iowa Lakes Community College are $7,196 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $19,230 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Iowa Lakes Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,031 during the early year of their career.
Briar Cliff University landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 88 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Briar Cliff are $33,998 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,123 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Briar Cliff graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,310 during the early year of their career.
Northwestern College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa list. NWC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Orange City, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 28 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NWC are $33,590 per year. After graduating from NWC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,021 during the early years of their career.
NWC also took the #2 spot in our Best Nursing Schools in Iowa rankings.
Clarke University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Clarke is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dubuque, Iowa. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 36 degrees in 2020-2021.
Clarke undergraduate students pay an average of $36,870 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $29,471 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Clarke graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,895 during the early year of their career.
Dordt University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa list. Dordt is located in Sioux Center, Iowa and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 degrees to qualified students.
Dordt undergraduate students pay an average of $33,590 in tuition and fees each year. Once they receive their degree, Dordt graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,809 during the early year of their career.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Dordt is ranked #5 for overall quality in Iowa.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa list. Located in Davenport, Iowa, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 90 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at St. Ambrose University are $33,570 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $27,244 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $401, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, St. Ambrose University graduates make an average of $50,094 annually.
St. Ambrose University excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in Iowa list.
Upper Iowa University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa ranking. UIU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fayette, Iowa. It awarded 111 degrees in 2020-2021.
UIU undergraduate students pay an average of $33,609 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $34,092 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UIU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,288 during the early years of their career.
Best Value Nursing Schools in the Plains States Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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