2027 Best Nursing Schools in Iowa
Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools to find the best for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Nursing in Iowa
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Nursing
University Of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. About 311 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Iowa earn around $96,368 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,811 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Iowa
Iowa State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. About 75% of students finish within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 13 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Iowa State University earn around $54,204 in the first couple years of their career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for Iowa State University
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #3. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Sioux City. Western Iowa Tech Community College awarded about 81 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College earn around $63,214 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,597 to complete this degree.
Read more about the nursing program at Western Iowa Tech Community College
Luther College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #4. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Decorah. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 33 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Luther College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $75,533 in their early career. Luther College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in nursing from Luther College
Saint Ambrose University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 78 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $66,151. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full nursing program report for Saint Ambrose University
Mount Mercy University placed #6 among the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. Mount Mercy University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 90 nursing degrees were awarded at Mount Mercy University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $66,647 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from Mount Mercy University
Allen College earned the #7 position for nursing this year. Set in the city of Waterloo, Allen College is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 145 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Allen College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Allen College generally make around $84,647. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for Allen College
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #8 for nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Des Moines Area Community College awarded about 175 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $59,181. Students borrow a median of $19,496 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from Des Moines Area Community College
Briar Cliff University came in at #9 for nursing this year. Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 39 nursing degrees were awarded at Briar Cliff University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Briar Cliff University generally make around $61,105. Typical student debt for the program is $29,918.
More information about a degree in nursing from Briar Cliff University
Morningside College landed the #10 spot for nursing this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 50% of students finish within six years. Morningside College awarded about 91 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $84,126 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000.
Read more about the nursing program at Morningside College
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Calmar. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar awarded about 63 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $57,546 in their early career. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans.
See the full nursing program report for Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar
Iowa Western Community College came in at #12 for nursing this year. Iowa Western Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. Iowa Western Community College awarded about 102 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Iowa Western Community College earn around $65,268 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,938 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from Iowa Western Community College
Graceland University Lamoni earned the #13 position for nursing this year. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Graceland University Lamoni awarded about 122 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Graceland University Lamoni generally make around $97,582. Students borrow a median of $30,754 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from Graceland University Lamoni
Kirkwood Community College placed #14 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. About 136 nursing degrees were awarded at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $64,461. Students borrow a median of $22,957 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Kirkwood Community College
Northwestern College Iowa came in at #15 for nursing this year. Located in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern College Iowa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Northwestern College Iowa earn around $71,479 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Northwestern College Iowa
Iowa Central Community College earned the #16 position for nursing this year. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 97 nursing degrees were awarded at Iowa Central Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Iowa Central Community College earn around $56,562 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,093.
More information about a degree in nursing from Iowa Central Community College
Eastern Iowa Community College District earned the #17 position for nursing this year. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. About 122 nursing degrees were awarded at Eastern Iowa Community College District in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $62,338. Students borrow a median of $30,767 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in nursing from Eastern Iowa Community College District
Northwest Iowa Community College earned the #18 position for nursing this year. Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheldon. Northwest Iowa Community College awarded about 36 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Northwest Iowa Community College earn around $62,453 in the first couple years of their career. Northwest Iowa Community College graduates carry a median of $20,886 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for Northwest Iowa Community College
North Iowa Area Community College earned the #19 position for nursing this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. North Iowa Area Community College awarded about 41 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $58,096 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,600.
More information about a degree in nursing from North Iowa Area Community College
University Of Dubuque ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. University Of Dubuque graduates 40% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dubuque in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of University Of Dubuque earn a median of $66,628 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,750.
More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Dubuque
Dordt College landed the #21 spot for nursing this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 74% of students finish within six years. Dordt College awarded about 23 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $71,680 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full nursing details for Dordt College
St Lukes College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. St Lukes College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. About 46 nursing degrees were awarded at St Lukes College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from St Lukes College earn around $71,064 in the first couple years of their career. St Lukes College graduates carry a median of $24,063 in student loans.
Read more about the nursing program at St Lukes College
Mercy College Of Health Sciences landed the #23 spot for nursing this year. Mercy College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 274 nursing degrees were awarded at Mercy College Of Health Sciences in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Mercy College Of Health Sciences generally make around $65,088. Mercy College Of Health Sciences graduates carry a median of $33,893 in student loans.
Get the full nursing details for Mercy College Of Health Sciences
Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #24 position for nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of West Burlington. Southeastern Community College West Burlington awarded about 55 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $61,159 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,288 to complete this degree.
See the full nursing program report for Southeastern Community College West Burlington
Upper Iowa University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best nursing schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Fayette. About 33% of students finish within six years. About 54 nursing degrees were awarded at Upper Iowa University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Upper Iowa University earn around $70,224 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,004.
Read more about the nursing program at Upper Iowa University
Rest of the Top 35 Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong nursing education:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 35 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
