Compare Iowa's top-ranked nursing programs by cost, outcomes, and NCLEX performance — updated for 2026.
Hiring demand for registered nurses in Iowa continues to climb, with the state projecting steady openings across both metro hospital networks and rural health systems through the end of the decade.
Top BSN programs in the state regularly report first-time NCLEX pass rates above 90%, while tuition and net price differ by tens of thousands of dollars between public and private institutions. Early-career earnings for BSN graduates can shift meaningfully depending on practice setting and region. For Iowa students, the practical tension is clear: a nursing education that fits your budget and career goals requires weighing cost, measurable outcomes, and long-term pay before enrolling.
Iowa's nursing education landscape blends large public research universities, private liberal arts colleges, and affordable community colleges, giving students multiple paths into the field. From direct-admit BSNs at Big Ten schools to accelerated LPN-to-RN bridges on two-year campuses, the state offers programs with strong NCLEX pass rates and competitive long-term earnings. These 2026 rankings evaluate each school on net price, graduation rates, program format, and alumni earnings to help you choose the right fit.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA | $11,000 – $33,000/yr | Undergraduates seeking direct-admit BSN at research university | |
The University of Iowa offers a nationally ranked BSN program that is transitioning to a direct-admission model for freshmen entering fall 2027 and beyond, phasing out the older standard admission route. With clinical experiences led by world-renowned faculty, the program emphasizes early hands-on learning and interprofessional collaboration at a major research health sciences campus. A Direct Entry MSN is available for career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree, completing in just 20 months.
| |||||
| #2 | Iowa State University | Ames, IA | $19,000/yr (net price) | Working RNs needing hybrid two-semester BSN | |
Iowa State University's RN-to-BSN program is designed specifically for working registered nurses who hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing. The hybrid format combines online coursework with on-campus sessions, allowing completion in just two semesters of full-time study. The curriculum focuses on research, leadership, population health, and self-care, preparing graduates for expanded roles in diverse healthcare settings.
| |||||
| #3 | Northwest Iowa Community College | Sheldon, IA | ~$15,000/yr (est.) | LPNs bridging to RN in just one year | |
Northwest Iowa Community College offers an accelerated Associate Degree Nursing pathway specifically for Licensed Practical Nurses looking to become Registered Nurses. The one-year, campus-based program includes online general education options and features a 100% job placement rate. Students gain hands-on clinical experience in medical-surgical, geriatric, obstetrical, and pediatric settings, with the Future Ready Iowa Scholarship potentially covering full tuition.
| |||||
| #4 | Southwestern Community College | Creston, IA | $10,000/yr | ||
Southwestern Community College's Associate Degree Nursing program in Creston is a campus-based option for individuals who have already completed a practical nursing program. With 93% LPN and 90% RN NCLEX pass rates, the curriculum combines classroom learning with hands-on clinical experience focused on the nursing process and health-illness continuum. The Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship may make this an affordable path to RN licensure.
| |||||
| #5 | Mercy College of Health Sciences | Des Moines, IA | $27,000/yr | ||
Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines offers both a three-year campus-based BSN and a two-year ASN with flexible evening/weekend classes. The BSN immerses students in clinical rotations from the first semester and boasts an 86.7% NCLEX pass rate and 100% job placement. LPNs receive advanced standing credits, while the ASN provides a direct route to RN licensure with a pathway to an online RN-to-BSN completion.
| |||||
| #6 | Dordt University | Sioux Center, IA | $25,000 – $30,000/yr | ||
Dordt University's BSN program blends a concept-based curriculum with over 570 clinical hours in diverse settings, all grounded in a Christian worldview. The Sioux Center campus program reports a 100% NCLEX pass rate historically and emphasizes servant leadership, ethical practice, and individualized mentoring. Students benefit from low instructor-to-student ratios and state-of-the-art simulation labs.
| |||||
| #7 | Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown, IA | ~$8,000/yr (est.) | ||
Marshalltown Community College provides an Associate Degree Nursing program with a strong emphasis on hands-on patient care in varied clinical settings. The campus-based curriculum is accredited by the Iowa Board of Nursing and meets licensure requirements for both Iowa and Illinois. Graduates report an average annual salary of $62,571, and affordable in-state tuition combined with financial aid makes this an accessible entry into the profession.
| |||||
| #8 | Southeastern Community College | West Burlington, IA | $12,000/yr | ||
Southeastern Community College in West Burlington offers a campus-based Associate of Applied Science in Nursing designed for those seeking a fast track into patient care. The program blends classroom theory with practical nursing skills and includes financial aid options to offset costs. Ideal for career changers, it serves as a stepping stone to further education or immediate employment in healthcare settings.
| |||||
| #9 | Saint Ambrose University | Davenport, IA | $25,000/yr | ||
Saint Ambrose University in Davenport provides a traditional on-campus BSN with a holistic care approach and an online LPN-to-BSN completion pathway. The BSN includes group clinicals, one-on-one preceptorship, and a capstone, requiring a 3.0 GPA and active CNA certification. The online track offers flexibility for working LPNs, with rolling admissions and clinical placements arranged in approved states.
| |||||
| #10 | Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Kirkwood Community College's campus-based ADN program in Cedar Rapids boasts a 96% NCLEX-RN pass rate over four years. Students complete comprehensive coursework in medical, surgical, geriatric, and pediatric nursing, with multiple clinical modalities for hands-on learning. A Certified Nursing Assistant certificate is required for admission, and the estimated total program cost of $29,572.10 includes access to scholarships and financial aid.
| |||||
Some nursing school rankings rely on subjective surveys or selective admissions figures; our approach is different. We built a transparent, data-driven model that measures value: what you pay, how many finish, and what graduates earn. All metrics come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
Our ranking formula weights four objective factors:
Because the data is drawn from all students at a college, the graduation rate and earnings metrics reflect the broader student body, not the nursing cohort alone. Still, a strong school-wide graduation record often signals effective student support that benefits nursing and non-nursing students alike. Net price gives a realistic snapshot, but your own cost will depend on your financial aid package and residency status.
You will not find NCLEX pass rates in the ranking formula. While pass rates are vital for licensure, they are not consistently reported in a way that allows fair, apples-to-apples comparisons across all schools. We cover NCLEX performance in a separate section below so you can weigh that data alongside the value metrics listed here.
For a deeper look at the methodology, the full criteria and weighting details are available on our methodology page.
Tuition for Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs in Iowa varies widely, from public universities with lower in-state rates to private colleges with higher sticker prices. The net price, which factors in financial aid and scholarships, offers a more realistic estimate of what students actually pay. Below is a comparison of tuition and net price for BSN programs across the state.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Northern Iowa | $9,936 | $21,712 | $15,901 |
| Iowa State University | $10,787 | $28,881 | $18,589 |
| Mount Mercy University | $40,878 | $40,878 | $20,168 |
| Buena Vista University | $41,798 | $41,798 | $18,846 |
| Coe College | $54,666 | $54,666 | $18,745 |
What are the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for BSN graduates in Iowa, and how do they stack up against national averages?
Understanding pass rates is a practical way to gauge how well a nursing program prepares students for licensure. Iowa's BSN programs consistently outperform national benchmarks, but rates vary by school and year, so it pays to dig into the numbers before you apply.
The Iowa Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for every prelicensure program in the state. You can usually locate these in the board's annual education reports or on their website under sections labeled 'Education' or 'Statistics'. Look for data that breaks down the number of first-time test-takers from each school along with the percentage who passed. Many individual BSN program websites also share their own pass rates for the most recent two to three years, often within an 'Outcomes' or 'Accreditation' page. Comparing what a school self-reports against the board's official figures can give you a more complete picture.
Recent data shows Iowa BSN graduates are well above the national curve. In the first quarter of 2026, first-time pass rates for BSN programs nationally stood at 87.89%, according to quarterly compilations from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Iowa's BSN programs collectively achieved a 93.16% first-time pass rate during the same period.1 Looking at full-year 2025 results, the overall U.S. first-time pass rate for all nursing programs, not just BSNs, was 86.7%, while the broader all-program national pass rate, which includes repeat test-takers, was lower at 69.1%.2 These figures underscore that Iowa BSN programs prepare students to pass the licensure exam on the first attempt at a rate significantly exceeding national norms.
The Iowa Hospital Association and state nursing organizations sometimes aggregate pass-rate data and provide side-by-side comparisons that are easier to scan than raw board reports. The NCSBN also releases annual reports with national benchmarks and state summaries, which can help you contextualize a school's performance beyond Iowa's borders. Just remember that pass rates are only one piece of the puzzle: clinical placement quality, faculty experience, graduation rates, and student satisfaction all matter as much once you start your career.
Earnings data for Iowa BSN program completers at 1 and 4 years post-graduation are not yet published in the College Scorecard. The figure below reflects median earnings for all graduates of Drake University 10 years after enrollment, the highest among top Iowa BSN schools, and may differ from BLS occupational wages for registered nurses.
Choosing between an online and on-campus BSN in Iowa affects your schedule, learning style, and budget. Both pathways meet the same educational standards and prepare you for the NCLEX-RN, but they differ in how you will complete coursework and clinical rotations.
An accelerated BSN in Iowa offers one of the fastest routes into professional nursing for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. Because program availability changes often, confirm the most current information directly with each school.
Accelerated and second-degree tracks are not always listed on general program pages. To identify active cohorts, visit the official nursing department website for each institution and search for “accelerated BSN” or “second-degree BSN.” Schools known to offer or have recently offered these pathways include:
Admissions offices can also confirm whether an accelerated option is accepting applications during the current cycle.
Most accelerated BSN programs in Iowa can be completed in 12 to 18 months of full-time, year-round study. The pace is intensive, often with limited breaks, and clinical rotations are embedded throughout.
Admission requirements vary by school but frequently include:
Additionally, some programs may require a certified nursing assistant (CNA) credential before clinicals begin. Because prerequisite grids and minimum GPA thresholds differ widely, prospective students should download the current academic catalog or application checklist from each school’s site rather than relying on older summaries.
Two external sources help cross-check whether a program is approved and actively enrolling. The Iowa Board of Nursing publishes a list of approved prelicensure nursing programs, including accelerated options, with details on program length and accreditation status. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) offers a searchable database of accelerated BSN programs by state, including direct links to program contacts. Using these resources alongside school websites helps ensure you find the most accurate, up-to-date pathway.
Selecting a nursing program in Iowa requires more than just comparing rankings; it demands careful verification of admission criteria, clinical partnerships, and accreditation standards. What looks good on a brochure may not align with your career goals, so a proactive approach saves time and money.
Each Iowa nursing school sets its own admission thresholds. Visit the official BSN admission page for programs like University of Iowa, Iowa State, or Allen College to find exact GPA minimums, prerequisite course lists, and standardized exam requirements. Many schools favor the TEAS, while others accept the HESI. For example, the University of Iowa's College of Nursing typically expects a competitive GPA in science prerequisites, but waiting for a summary site to update this information can lead to outdated advice. Always cross-reference the latest catalog year, as requirements can shift between cohorts.
Clinical rotations make up roughly half of a BSN curriculum, so where you train matters. Schools publish lists of clinical affiliation sites or community partners on their websites; look for a section often titled “Clinical Affiliations” or “Community Partners.” If it’s not publicly listed, contact the nursing department directly. For Iowa BSN students, major hospital systems that frequently partner with programs include UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (UIHC). Some rural-focused programs also partner with critical access hospitals and community clinics, offering diverse experiences. Verify that the placements align with your interest; for example, if you aim for pediatric nursing, ensure the program has relationships with a children’s hospital or pediatric units.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) provides a reliable big-picture view of nursing job growth and median pay, but it cannot tell you how a specific Iowa school’s graduates fare. For program-specific outcomes, like NCLEX pass rates, job placement within six months, or employer satisfaction, turn to each school’s admissions office. Some schools publish annual outcome reports; if not, ask an admissions advisor. Also, the Iowa Board of Nursing website offers aggregate NCLEX results by program, which is a key performance indicator.
When you have questions about accreditation, licensure, or educational standards, the Iowa Board of Nursing and the Iowa Nurses Association are authoritative resources. The Board’s site lists approved nursing programs and any disciplinary or status changes, while the Association can offer mentorship and insight into professional expectations. Always cross-reference what you learn there with the most current details on school websites, as official program pages reflect real-time updates better than third-party summaries.
While BSN-prepared nurses often start at higher pay in hospital systems, salaries can also differ between rural and urban areas across Iowa.
Iowa is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), meaning an Iowa RN license allows you to practice in other compact states without obtaining additional licenses. Follow these steps to earn your Iowa RN license.
Choosing the right nursing school in Iowa involves weighing factors like program cost, location, and NCLEX performance. These answers address the most common questions prospective students ask about nursing education in the Hawkeye State.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, Iowa offers additional nursing schools across the state. The directory below lists more BSN and ADN programs, grouped by region, to help you find an option that fits your location and goals.
