by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Western Iowa Tech Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,597 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshalltown Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,935. Early-career nursing graduates make about $61,954. That is a strong return on a $17,935 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Iowa Central Community College one of the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,093. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $56,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Kirkwood Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,957. Nursing graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $64,461 early in their careers. Set against $22,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hawkeye Community College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,292. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $58,835. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,600. Early-career nursing graduates make about $58,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Creston earned the #7 position for value in nursing this year. Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public school located in the town of Creston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $20,300. Early-career nursing graduates make about $63,505. Set against $20,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #8 for value in nursing this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $19,496 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $59,181. That is a strong return on a $19,496 median debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $57,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College placed #10 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $24,142 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $56,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,288 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $61,159 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ellsworth Community College earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,125. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ellsworth Community College generally make around $58,487. That is a strong return on a $22,125 median debt.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,767 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,338. Set against $30,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,938 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $65,268 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Lakes Community College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,392, compared with $7,872 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Iowa Lakes Community College earn a median of $61,157 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt.
Iowa State University landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,496 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $54,204. That is a strong return on a $23,496 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Iowa Community College landed the #17 spot for nursing value this year. Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheldon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $7,650. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College generally make around $62,453. Set against $20,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Graceland University Lamoni earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,848. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $30,754. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Graceland University Lamoni generally make around $97,582. That is a strong return on a $30,754 median debt. Graceland University Lamoni admits about 81% of applicants.
Coe College landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Coe College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $54,666 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Coe College generally make around $67,769. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Mercy University earned the #20 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,878. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Nursing graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $66,647 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mount Mercy University admits about 82% of applicants.
St Lukes College earned the #21 position for value in nursing this year. St Lukes College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,335. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,063 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,064. Set against $24,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa landed the #22 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,811 in student loans. Nursing graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $96,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University came in at #23 for value in nursing this year. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $35,004. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,224. That is a strong return on a $35,004 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Grand View University earned the #24 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,762 in tuition and fees. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $64,042 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand View University admits about 99% of applicants.
Luther College came in at #25 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,120. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $75,533. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.