by our College Data Analytics TeamNursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for nursing students pursuing a degree.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing education in Iowa.
Our analysis ranked University Of Iowa the best school in the country for a degree in nursing. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Iowa awarded about 310 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $96,368 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,811. Read more about the nursing program at University Of Iowa
Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Iowa State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 15 nursing degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Iowa State University
Luther College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing, ranking #3. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. About 71% of students finish within six years. Luther College awarded about 46 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Luther College earn around $75,533 in the first couple years of their career. Luther College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Luther College
Saint Ambrose University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 95 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $66,151 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Saint Ambrose University
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Western Iowa Tech Community College awarded about 86 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $63,214 early in their careers. Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates carry a median of $22,597 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Western Iowa Tech Community College
Northwestern College Iowa earned the #6 position for nursing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Orange City. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern College Iowa awarded about 30 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $71,479 in their early career. Northwestern College Iowa graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Northwestern College Iowa
Mount Mercy University landed the #7 spot for nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. About 58% of students finish within six years. Mount Mercy University awarded about 81 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $66,647 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in nursing from Mount Mercy University
Briar Cliff University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 48 nursing degrees were awarded at Briar Cliff University in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Briar Cliff University earn around $61,105 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,918. Read more about the nursing program at Briar Cliff University
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 181 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $59,181 early in their careers. Des Moines Area Community College graduates carry a median of $19,496 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Des Moines Area Community College
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #10 among the best nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Calmar. About 74 nursing degrees were awarded at Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn around $57,546 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,562. Get the full nursing details for Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar
Hawkeye Community College earned the #11 position for nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 122 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Hawkeye Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $58,835 in their early career. Hawkeye Community College graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Hawkeye Community College
Graceland University Lamoni placed #12 among the best nursing schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Lamoni. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Graceland University Lamoni awarded about 161 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Graceland University Lamoni generally make around $97,582. Typical student debt for the program is $30,754. See the full nursing program report for Graceland University Lamoni
Allen College earned the #13 position for nursing this year. Located in the city of Waterloo, Allen College is a small private not-for-profit university. Allen College awarded about 155 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Allen College earn around $84,647 in the first couple years of their career. Allen College graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Allen College
William Penn University placed #14 among the best nursing schools. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit institution. William Penn University graduates 33% of students within six years. William Penn University awarded about 23 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from William Penn University earn around $39,727 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,341 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for William Penn University
Iowa Western Community College came in at #15 for nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Iowa Western Community College awarded about 110 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $65,268 in their early career. Iowa Western Community College graduates carry a median of $27,938 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Iowa Western Community College
Kirkwood Community College placed #16 among the best nursing schools. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Kirkwood Community College awarded about 144 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Kirkwood Community College earn around $64,461 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,957 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Kirkwood Community College
Morningside College placed #17 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 59 nursing degrees were awarded at Morningside College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $84,126 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Morningside College
North Iowa Area Community College earned the #18 position for nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. North Iowa Area Community College awarded about 35 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $58,096 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,600 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from North Iowa Area Community College
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. About 125 nursing degrees were awarded at Eastern Iowa Community College District in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $62,338 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,767. Read more about the nursing program at Eastern Iowa Community College District
Iowa Central Community College landed the #20 spot for nursing this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Iowa Central Community College awarded about 80 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Iowa Central Community College earn around $56,562 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,093 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Iowa Central Community College
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #21 among the best nursing schools. Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheldon. Northwest Iowa Community College awarded about 39 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College generally make around $62,453. Typical student debt for the program is $20,886. Read more about the nursing program at Northwest Iowa Community College
Mercy College Of Health Sciences ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Mercy College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Mercy College Of Health Sciences graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 325 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mercy College Of Health Sciences in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Mercy College Of Health Sciences earn a median of $65,088 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $33,893. Get the full nursing details for Mercy College Of Health Sciences
Dordt College landed the #23 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 19 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Dordt College earn around $71,680 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Dordt College
St Lukes College landed the #24 spot for nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux City. St Lukes College awarded about 60 nursing degrees in the most recent data 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. Get the full nursing details for St Lukes College
University Of Dubuque ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dubuque graduates 40% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dubuque in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $66,628. University Of Dubuque graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at University Of Dubuque
These schools also placed among the best for nursing this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.