Iowa Nursing Schools and Programs
Selecting then applying to nursing schools in Iowa can be a time consuming task. For those just getting started in Nursing, we suggest that you focus on your near term Iowa education goals and licensing requirements. The first question to ask yourself is: Do I want to begin my career as a Nursing Assistant, Practical Nurse, or Iowa Registered Nurse?
Iowa Registered Nurse programs generally lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing or Bachelor Degree in Nursing which typically last 2 to 4 years.
Finding the best Nurse Practitioner school in Iowa before you become a Registered Nurse, for example, may bog down the school selection and application process. Furthermore, many four year undergraduate colleges routinely accept transfer credits for prerequisites often called pre-nursing courses.
While earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN, ASN) or Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BDN, BSN) is an important milestone for nurses, many Iowa nursing school students gain meaningful work experience and an income upon completion of a shorter Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Practical Nursing program in the state of Iowa.
To help students search for the best nursing school in Iowa, we have outlined some key questions to ask. Below on this page you will find the following:
- How do I become a nurse in Iowa?
- Is Iowa a nursing compact state?
- How long is nursing school in Iowa?
- How much does nursing school in Iowa cost?
- Is it hard to get into a Iowa nursing school?
- List of nursing schools in Iowa.
How do I become a nurse in Iowa?
If you want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of Iowa, you will need to complete a Practical Nurse training program. Practical Nursing programs generally last 1 to 1.5 years. Upon completion of your Iowa practical nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-PN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-PN exam, you will apply for a Practical Nurse license from the Iowa Board of Nursing.
If you want to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Iowa, you will need to complete a Registered Nurse training program. Registered Nurse programs generally last 2 to 4 years. Upon completion of your Iowa registered nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-RN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you will apply for a Registered Nurse license from the Iowa Board of Nursing.
Is Iowa a nursing compact state?
Yes, Iowa is part of the nursing license compact. Iowa recently enacted the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC) agreement which allows nurses to practice in all but a handful of states. This means that a Iowa Licensed Practical Nurse or a Iowa Registered Nurse can now apply for a multi-state nursing license.
How long is nursing school in Iowa?
The amount of time you spend in a Iowa nursing school will vary based upon the career path you choose. You can become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in as little as 6 to 12 weeks. Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1 to 1.5 years, a Iowa Registered Nurse (RN) in 2 to 4 years, or stay in nursing school longer to become a Nurse Practitioner in 6 to 8 years.
Above on this page we created a tabular image which summarizes how long nursing school is in Iowa. That image includes the number of nurses employed in the state of Iowa, along with the average wages earned at each education level.
Notice that in the state of Iowa, far greater numbers are employed as a Registered Nurse (RN) compared to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Notice also that a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Iowa earns far more in wages compared to a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Use the nursing program acronyms CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD to help identify which Iowa nursing schools offer the length of program you desire.
How much does nursing school in Iowa cost?
Tuition for a nursing school in Iowa will cost between $4,000 to $6,000 per year for state residents seeking a two year Associate degree, an ADN or ASN, for example. The larger public four year colleges and universities in Iowa cost more between $6,000 to $9,000 per year for state residents seeking their Bachelor Degree in Nursing, a BDN or BSN.
To help reduce the cost of nursing school in Iowa, a student can generally take their pre-nursing courses at a smaller two year college. Then, transfer those credits into the larger four year college or university of your choice. Each college has their own method of awarding transfer credits for pre-nursing coursework. You will need to plan ahead and question the receiving school before you start your first pre-nursing class.
Is it hard to get into a Iowa nursing school?
We list the quoted acceptance rate provided by each Iowa nursing school. A college acceptance rate is calculated by dividing the number of accepted students by the number of total applicants. Reviewing the list of nursing schools in Iowa provided below, we can see the acceptance rates range from about 50% to 100% or Open. SAT and ACT scores are displayed on each individual nursing school page.
If you are having trouble getting accepted into a Iowa nursing school due to a below average GPA, SAT, or ACT score, here are two strategies which might help: 1) take your pre-nursing courses at your local community college then reapply later as a transfer student with an above average GPA, and, 2) get your Nursing Assistant or Practical Nurse license to help you gain experience and stand out from other college applicants.
List Of Nursing Schools In Iowa
Below is our complete list of accredited nursing schools in Iowa. In general, these schools offer campus based CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD, and more nursing programs approved by the Iowa Board Of Nursing.
Click the name of any Iowa nursing school below to view the cost to attend, SAT and ACT scores, college or university characteristics, student body profile, satellite map of the surrounding area, and to view any additional nursing program information we have available in our database.
Allen College
1990 Heath St,
Waterloo,
IA
50703
319-226-2000
Allen College is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Waterloo, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Waterloo, Iowa campus for Allen College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 497. In-state tuition and fees were $20,008 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, RN-to-MSN, Post-MSN, DNP, PhD
- Tuition Cost $20,008
Briar Cliff University
3303 Rebecca Street,
Sioux City,
IA
51104
712-279-5321
Briar Cliff University is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Sioux City, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Sioux City, Iowa campus for Briar Cliff University is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 927. In-state tuition and fees were $34,498 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD
- Tuition Cost $34,498
- Room and Board $9,910
- Acceptance Rate Open
Clarke University
1550 Clarke Drive,
Dubuque,
IA
52001
563-588-6300
Clarke University is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Dubuque, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Dubuque, Iowa campus for Clarke University is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 965. In-state tuition and fees were $38,060 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, Nurse Educator, Nurse Practitioner
- Tuition Cost $38,060
- Room and Board $10,600
- Acceptance Rate 85%
- ACT Score 18-23
Coe College
1220 First Avenue NE,
Cedar Rapids,
IA
52402
319-399-8000
Coe College is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa campus for Coe College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,264. In-state tuition and fees were $50,664 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN
- Tuition Cost $50,664
- Room and Board $10,920
- Acceptance Rate Open
Des Moines Community College, Ankeny
2006 South Ankeny Boulevard, Ankeny, IA 50023
Des Moines Community College, Ankeny is a institution with a campus in Ankeny, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN, LPN-to-RN
Des Moines Community College, Boone
1125 Hancock Drive, Boone, IA 50036
Des Moines Community College, Boone is a institution with a campus in Boone, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN
Des Moines Community College, Carroll
906 North Grant Road, Carroll, IA 51401
Des Moines Community College, Carroll is a institution with a campus in Carroll, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN
Dordt University
700 7th St SE,
Sioux Center,
IA
51250
712-722-6000
Dordt University is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Sioux Center, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Sioux Center, Iowa campus for Dordt University is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,861. In-state tuition and fees were $34,600 for the most recent reporting period. …
- Tuition Cost $34,600
- Room and Board $10,990
- Acceptance Rate 88%
- ACT Score 21-28
Grand View University
1200 Grandview Ave,
Des Moines,
IA
50316
515-263-2800
Grand View University is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Des Moines, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Des Moines, Iowa campus for Grand View University is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,827. In-state tuition and fees were $32,068 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN
- Tuition Cost $32,068
- Room and Board $10,956
- Acceptance Rate 98%
Iowa Wesleyan University
601 North Main Street,
Mount Pleasant,
IA
52641
319-385-8021
Iowa Wesleyan University is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Mount Pleasant, Iowa campus for Iowa Wesleyan University is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 871. In-state tuition and fees were $34,700 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN
- Tuition Cost $34,700
- Room and Board $11,340
- Acceptance Rate 81%
- ACT Score 16-22
Luther College
700 College Drive,
Decorah,
IA
52101
563-387-2000
Luther College is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Decorah, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Decorah, Iowa campus for Luther College is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,610. In-state tuition and fees were $48,160 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN
- Tuition Cost $48,160
- Room and Board $10,670
- Acceptance Rate 75%
- ACT Score 22-29
Mercy College of Health Sciences
928 6th Ave,
Des Moines,
IA
50309
515-643-3180
Mercy College of Health Sciences is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Des Moines, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Des Moines, Iowa campus for Mercy College of Health Sciences is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 911. In-state tuition and fees were $16,632 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: ASN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN
- Tuition Cost $16,632
- Acceptance Rate 97%
Morningside University
1501 Morningside Ave,
Sioux City,
IA
51106
712-274-5000
Morningside University is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Sioux City, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Sioux City, Iowa campus for Morningside University is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 2,249. In-state tuition and fees were $36,610 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN
- Tuition Cost $36,610
- Room and Board $10,720
- Acceptance Rate 71%
Mount Mercy University
1330 Elmhurst Drive NE,
Cedar Rapids,
IA
52402
319-363-8213
Mount Mercy University is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa campus for Mount Mercy University is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,526. In-state tuition and fees were $37,606 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN
- Tuition Cost $37,606
- Room and Board $10,636
- Acceptance Rate 75%
- ACT Score 18-24
North Iowa Area Community College
500 College Drive,
Mason City,
IA
50401
641-423-1264
North Iowa Area Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Mason City, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Mason City, Iowa campus for North Iowa Area Community College is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 2,479. In-state tuition and fees were $6,196 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: ASN
- Tuition Cost $6,196
- Room and Board $7,488
- Acceptance Rate Open
Saint Ambrose University
518 West Locust Street,
Davenport,
IA
52803
563-333-6000
Saint Ambrose University is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Davenport, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Davenport, Iowa campus for Saint Ambrose University is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 2,747. In-state tuition and fees were $34,570 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN
- Tuition Cost $34,570
- Room and Board $11,988
- Acceptance Rate 74%
- ACT Score 20-27
St Luke's College
2720 Stone Park Blvd,
Sioux City,
IA
51104
712-279-3149
St Luke's College is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Sioux City, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Sioux City, Iowa campus for St Luke's College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 196. In-state tuition and fees were $20,940 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: ASN
- Tuition Cost $20,940
- Acceptance Rate 80%
- ACT Score 15-19
University of Dubuque
2000 University Ave,
Dubuque,
IA
52001
563-589-3000
University of Dubuque is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Dubuque, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Dubuque, Iowa campus for University of Dubuque is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,776. In-state tuition and fees were $38,526 for the most recent reporting period. …
- Tuition Cost $38,526
- Room and Board $11,024
- Acceptance Rate 85%
Upper Iowa University
605 Washington St,
Fayette,
IA
52142
563-425-5200
Upper Iowa University is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Fayette, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Fayette, Iowa campus for Upper Iowa University is located in a Rural setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 3,072. In-state tuition and fees were $33,639 for the most recent reporting period. …
- Tuition Cost $33,639
- Room and Board $9,644
- Acceptance Rate 54%
- ACT Score 18-24
Western Iowa Tech Community College
4647 Stone Avenue,
Sioux City,
IA
51102
712-274-8733
Western Iowa Tech Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Sioux City, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. The Sioux City, Iowa campus for Western Iowa Tech Community College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 5,150. In-state tuition and fees were $4,922 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN
- Tuition Cost $4,922
- Room and Board $6,290
- Acceptance Rate Open
Western Iowa Tech Community College, Cherokee
200 Victory Drive,
Cherokee,
IA
51102
712-274-6400
Western Iowa Tech Community College, Cherokee is a institution with a campus in Cherokee, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN
Western Iowa Tech Community College, Denison
11 North 35th Street,
Denison,
IA
51442
712-274-6400
Western Iowa Tech Community College, Denison is a institution with a campus in Denison, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN
Western Iowa Tech Community College, Sheldon
Highway 18 West,
Sheldon,
IA
51201
712-274-6400
Western Iowa Tech Community College, Sheldon is a institution with a campus in Sheldon, Iowa. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Iowa Board of Nursing. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN
The nursing program acronyms CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD, etcetera used in our list of Iowa nursing schools may differ from the actual title published by the college or university.
Nursing schools in Iowa and other states, for example, may follow their own traditional degree naming convention, or, attempt to follow a newer naming convention trending nationwide.
Last updated: August 1, 2024
References:
- Iowa Nursing License Requirements. State of Iowa, Board of Nursing. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- Iowa State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- Tuition And Characteristics Of Iowa Colleges. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- Iowa Nurse Licensure Compact Status. NCSBN, National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Retrieved August 1, 2024.