2025 Best Nursing Schools in Iowa
31
Colleges in Iowa
2,901
Nursing Degrees Awarded
$84,107
Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #3 in popularity,
nursing is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.
For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools in Iowa to determine which ones were the best for nursing students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 2,901 degrees in nursing during the 2021-2022 academic year.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Nursing School
Your choice of nursing school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for nursing schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
Pick Your Nursing Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Nursing Schools in Iowa list, to help you choose the best school for you.
If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat.
Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.
Best Schools for Nursing in Iowa
Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the nursing degree levels they offer.
10 Top Iowa Schools in Nursing
Every student pursuing a degree in nursing has to look into University of Iowa. Iowa is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Iowa City. A Best Colleges rank of #80 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.
There were approximately 307 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $82,796 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a degree in nursing from University of Iowa
Allen College is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing. Located in the city of Waterloo, Allen College is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
There were approximately 179 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Allen College in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program state that they receive average early career wages of $78,359.
More information about a degree in nursing from Allen College
Bachelors
Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN
Program Name
With the affordable and transfer-friendly online RN to BSN program at Southern New Hampshire University, you can build upon your prior educational journey and enhance your professional experience in a program designed to fit around your schedule.
More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
It is difficult to beat Graceland University - Lamoni if you wish to pursue a degree in nursing. Graceland Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit university located in the remote area of Lamoni. A Best Colleges rank of #700 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Graceland Lamoni is a great university overall.
There were approximately 235 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Graceland Lamoni in the most recent data year. Nursing degree recipients from Graceland University - Lamoni earn a boost of around $12,265 over the average earnings of nursing graduates.
More information about a degree in nursing from Graceland University - Lamoni
Every student who is interested in nursing has to look into Mercy College of Health Sciences. Located in the city of Des Moines, Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
There were roughly 294 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mercy College of Health Sciences in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, nursing degree recipients generally earn about $65,982 in their early careers.
More information about a degree in nursing from Mercy College of Health Sciences
Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #88 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Iowa State is a great university overall.
There were roughly 11 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in nursing from Iowa State University
Located in the large suburb of Ankeny, DMACC is a public college with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #408 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means DMACC is a great college overall.
There were roughly 178 nursing students who graduated with this degree at DMACC in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career wages of $59,181.
More information about a degree in nursing from Des Moines Area Community College
Located in the city of Davenport, St. Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #756 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means St. Ambrose University is a great university overall.
There were roughly 69 nursing students who graduated with this degree at St. Ambrose University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $66,151 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in nursing from Saint Ambrose University
Bachelors
Degree Type
BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN
Program Name
At Southern New Hampshire University, we understand the demands placed on today's nursing professionals. When it comes to your education, consider saving money and time by electing the RN to MSN pathway. Eligible students will complete graduate courses within their undergraduate program. This pathway allows you to gain a BSN along the way and ultimately shorten your time within the MSN Nursing Education or Population Healthcare tracks.
More information about a degree in BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College is a public college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #795 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Southeastern Community College is a great college overall.
There were approximately 50 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, nursing degree recipients usually earn about $61,159 in their early careers.
More information about a degree in nursing from Southeastern Community College
Iowa Central Community College is a small public college located in the town of Fort Dodge. A Best Colleges rank of #498 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Iowa Central Community College is a great college overall.
There were about 76 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Central Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make around $56,562 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in nursing from Iowa Central Community College
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
14th
Most Popular In IA
56
Nursing Degrees Awarded
Briar Cliff is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Sioux City.
There were approximately 56 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Briar Cliff in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in nursing from Briar Cliff University
