2025 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa
31
Colleges in Iowa
2,478
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
If you pursue a degree in
registered nursing, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #3 most popular program in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.
College Factual looked at 31 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 2,478 degrees in registered nursing to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Registered Nursing School
Your choice of registered 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 registered 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.
Registered Nursing Rankings by Degree Level
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you.
When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.
Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Iowa
The schools below may not offer all types of registered nursing degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.
10 Top Iowa Schools in Registered Nursing
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In IA
240
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
University of Iowa is a good option for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing. Iowa is a very 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 240 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from University of Iowa
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
5th
Most Popular In IA
121
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
Allen College is a good option for students interested in a degree in registered nursing. Located in the small city of Waterloo, Allen College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
There were approximately 121 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Allen College in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in registered 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
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In IA
294
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
Any student pursuing a degree in registered nursing needs to check out Mercy College of Health Sciences. Located in the medium-sized 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 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mercy College of Health Sciences in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Mercy College of Health Sciences
Iowa State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in registered nursing. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State is a public university with a fairly 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 approximately 11 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Iowa State University
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In IA
178
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
Located in the 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 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at DMACC in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Des Moines Area Community College
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
15th
Most Popular In IA
69
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
Graceland Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit university located in the rural 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 about 69 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Graceland Lamoni in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Graceland University - Lamoni
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
9th
Most Popular In IA
69
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
Located in the midsize 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 approximately 69 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at St. Ambrose University in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in registered 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
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
16th
Most Popular In IA
50
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
Located in the remote 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 schools nationwide means Southeastern Community College is a great college overall.
There were roughly 50 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern Community College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Southeastern Community College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
13th
Most Popular In IA
76
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
Iowa Central Community College is a small public college located in the remote town of Fort Dodge. A Best Colleges rank of #498 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Iowa Central Community College is a great college overall.
There were approximately 76 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Central Community College in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Iowa Central Community College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
12th
Most Popular In IA
89
Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
Located in the small city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public college with a medium-sized student population. This college ranks 32nd out of 37 schools for overall quality in the state of Iowa.
There were about 89 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Western Iowa Tech Community College
