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2022 Best Value Colleges for Registered Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in Iowa

33 Ranked Colleges
2,554 Degrees Awarded
$11,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 259,493 registered nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country.

Across Iowa, there were 2,554 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 33 colleges that offer a degree in registered nursing. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent registered nursing programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the registered nursing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Registered Nursing Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Registered Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in Iowa

#1

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southeastern Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. West Burlington, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 64 students in 2019-2020.

Southeastern Community College also took the #19 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southeastern Community College is $4,925 for iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Southeastern Community College

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school handed out 13 degrees to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $10,054 for iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Iowa State

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Western Iowa Tech Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k. This medium-sized school is located in Sioux City, Iowa, and it awarded 95 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Western Iowa Tech Community College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $5,665 for Iowa Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Full Western Iowa Tech Community College Registered Nursing Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Iowa Area Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Iowa Area Community College is a small public school situated in Mason City, Iowa. It awarded 44 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

North Iowa Area Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend North Iowa Area Community College is $6,551 for Iowa Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Registered Nursing at North Iowa Area Community College

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Des Moines Area Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. DMACC is a large school located in Ankeny, Iowa that handed out 184 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

DMACC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend DMACC is $7,776 for Iowa Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Des Moines Area Community College

#24 in overall quality

Northeast Iowa Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Calmar, Iowa, and it awarded 95 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

NICC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for NICC is $7,987 for iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Northeast Iowa Community College

#7

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Kirkwood Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this fairly large public school awarded 142 diplomas to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

Kirkwood Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $8,067 for iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kirkwood Community College.

Full Kirkwood Community College Registered Nursing Report

With a ranking of #8, Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northwest Iowa Community College is a small public school situated in Sheldon, Iowa. It awarded 50 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwest Iowa Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $9,985 for iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwest Iowa Community College.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Northwest Iowa Community College

#9

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa

Marshalltown Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Marshalltown Community College is a small public school situated in Marshalltown, Iowa. It awarded 21 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Marshalltown Community College is $5,073 for Iowa Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Marshalltown Community College

Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is a public institution located in Davenport, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 103 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Eastern Iowa Community College District is $8,406 for iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

With a ranking of #11, Iowa Central Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa Central Community College is located in Fort Dodge, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 61 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Iowa Central Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Central Community College is $7,979 for iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Iowa Central Community College

#12

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa

With a ranking of #12, Iowa Western Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa Western Community College is located in Council Bluffs, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 119 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

Iowa Western Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $9,341 for iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa Western Community College.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Iowa Western Community College

Indian Hills Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ottumwa, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 48 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Indian Hills Community College is $5,644 for Iowa Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full IHCC Registered Nursing Report

#14

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 214 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $12,975 for iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at University of Iowa

#15

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa

With a ranking of #15, Hawkeye Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Waterloo, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 128 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Hawkeye Community College is $9,084 for Iowa Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Hawkeye Community College Registered Nursing Report

Southwestern Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Southwestern Community College is a small school located in Creston, Iowa that handed out 38 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend SWCC is $6,914 for Iowa Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Southwestern Community College

#17

Iowa Lakes Community College

Estherville, Iowa

Iowa Lakes Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Estherville, Iowa, this small public school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Iowa Lakes Community College is $8,411 for iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Iowa Lakes Community College

#18

Ellsworth Community College

Iowa Falls, Iowa

With a ranking of #18, Ellsworth Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ellsworth is a public institution located in Iowa Falls, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $8,576 for iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ellsworth.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Ellsworth Community College

#19

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Coe College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Coe College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It awarded 23 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Coe also took the #21 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Coe is $14,590 for Iowa Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Coe

#20

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
#4 in overall quality

Northwestern College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NWC is a small school located in Orange City, Iowa that handed out 24 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

NWC also made our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $20,581 for Iowa Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwestern College.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full NWC Registered Nursing Report

Graceland University - Lamoni came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Graceland Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lamoni, Iowa. It awarded 96 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Graceland Lamoni has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $15,015 for Iowa Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Graceland University - Lamoni.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Graceland University - Lamoni

Mercy College of Health Sciences came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mercy College of Health Sciences is a small school located in Des Moines, Iowa that handed out 220 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Mercy College of Health Sciences not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $20,188 for iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mercy College of Health Sciences.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Mercy College of Health Sciences

#23

Dordt University

Sioux Center, Iowa

Dordt University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dordt University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sioux Center, Iowa. It awarded 21 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Dordt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Dordt is $24,967 for iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Dordt University Registered Nursing Report

#24

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa

Grand View University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Des Moines, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 48 students in 2019-2020.

Grand View University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $18,481 for iowa registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Grand View University.

Full Grand View University Registered Nursing Report

#25

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa

Luther College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Luther College is a small school located in Decorah, Iowa that handed out 39 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Luther also made our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $16,636 for Iowa Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Luther.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Luther College

Notes and References

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%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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