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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Registered Nursing in Iowa

18 Ranked Colleges
1,236 Degrees Awarded
$11,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 for an Associate in Iowa” ranking.

Registered Nursing is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 259,493 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across Iowa, there were 2,554 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 1,236 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,684 and $18,179 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa” ranking looked at 18 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the registered nursing program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for an Associate in Iowa” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa

The colleges and universities below are the best for iowa associate degree registered nursing students.

Top 18 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Registered Nursing in Iowa

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Western Iowa Tech Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 95 diplomas to qualified associates’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Western Iowa Tech Community College, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Iowa Tech Community College is $7,201 for iowa associate degree registered nursing students.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Western Iowa Tech Community College

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Des Moines Area Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa list. Des Moines Area Community College is a large school located in Ankeny, Iowa that handed out 184 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree registered nursing students list, DMACC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend DMACC is $10,076 for iowa associate degree registered nursing students.

Read more about Registered Nursing at DMACC

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwest Iowa Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa list. Northwest Iowa Community College is located in Sheldon, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 50 associates’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree registered nursing students list, Northwest Iowa Community College has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwest Iowa Community College is $12,125 for Iowa Associate Degree Registered Nursing students.

Full Northwest Iowa Community College Registered Nursing Report

#4

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Kirkwood Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa list. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this fairly large public school awarded 142 degrees to qualified associates’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

Kirkwood Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kirkwood Community College is $10,939 for Iowa Associate Degree Registered Nursing students.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Kirkwood Community College

#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Iowa Area Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa. Mason City, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s registered nursing degrees to 44 students in 2019-2020.

North Iowa Area Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list. It costs about $8,409 for iowa associate degree registered nursing students per year to attend North Iowa Area Community College.

Full North Iowa Area Community College Registered Nursing Report

#10 in overall quality

Iowa Central Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa ranking. Fort Dodge, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s registered nursing degrees to 61 students in 2019-2020.

Iowa Central Community College also took the #10 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Central Community College is $10,102 for Iowa Associate Degree Registered Nursing students.

Full Iowa Central Community College Registered Nursing Report

#12 in overall quality

Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa ranking. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges is a medium-sized public school situated in Davenport, Iowa. It awarded 103 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges also made our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $10,650 for iowa associate degree registered nursing students per year to attend Eastern Iowa Community Colleges.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

#8

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa
#7 in overall quality

Southeastern Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa list. Southeastern Community College is located in West Burlington, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 64 associates’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southeastern Community College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $7,223 for iowa associate degree registered nursing students per year to attend Southeastern Community College.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Southeastern Community College

#9

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
#8 in overall quality

Iowa Western Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa ranking. Council Bluffs, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s registered nursing degrees to 119 students in 2019-2020.

Iowa Western Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Western Community College is $11,477 for Iowa Associate Degree Registered Nursing students.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Iowa Western Community College

#11 in overall quality

Northeast Iowa Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa list. NICC is a small public school situated in Calmar, Iowa. It awarded 95 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

NICC also took the #11 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NICC is $10,505 for Iowa Associate Degree Registered Nursing students.

Full Northeast Iowa Community College Registered Nursing Report

#15 in overall quality

Indian Hills Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa ranking. Indian Hills Community College is located in Ottumwa, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 associates’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree registered nursing students list, IHCC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indian Hills Community College is $7,217 for Iowa Associate Degree Registered Nursing students.

Read more about Registered Nursing at IHCC

#1 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Mercy College of Health Sciences did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa list. Mercy College of Health Sciences is a small school located in Des Moines, Iowa that handed out 31 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Mercy College of Health Sciences also made our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Mercy College of Health Sciences is $21,989 for Iowa Associate Degree Registered Nursing students.

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 student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#13

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa
#13 in overall quality

Hawkeye Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa ranking, coming in at #13. Hawkeye Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Waterloo, Iowa. It awarded 73 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Hawkeye Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list. The estimated yearly cost for Hawkeye Community College is $11,495 for Iowa Associate Degree Registered Nursing students.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Hawkeye Community College

#14

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa
#14 in overall quality

Marshalltown Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa ranking, coming in at #14. Marshalltown Community College is a small school located in Marshalltown, Iowa that handed out 21 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marshalltown Community College, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Marshalltown Community College is $7,456 for iowa associate degree registered nursing students.

Full Marshalltown Community College Registered Nursing Report

#15

Ellsworth Community College

Iowa Falls, Iowa
#17 in overall quality

Ellsworth Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa ranking. This small school is located in Iowa Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 17 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree registered nursing students list, Ellsworth has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $11,198 for iowa associate degree registered nursing students per year to attend Ellsworth Community College.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Ellsworth

#16 in overall quality

Southwestern Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Creston, Iowa, this small public school handed out 38 diplomas to qualified associates’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SWCC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SWCC is $9,013 for iowa associate degree registered nursing students.

Full SWCC Registered Nursing Report

#17

St Luke's College

Sioux City, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, St Luke’s College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa list. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 45 degrees to qualified associates’s registered nursing students in 2019-2020.

St Luke’s College also made our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $22,114 for iowa associate degree registered nursing students per year to attend St Luke’s College.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full St Luke’s College Registered Nursing Report

#18

Iowa Lakes Community College

Estherville, Iowa
#18 in overall quality

Iowa Lakes Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools for an Associate in Iowa ranking. This small school is located in Estherville, Iowa, and it awarded 23 associates’s registered nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our iowa associate degree registered nursing students list, Iowa Lakes Community College has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Iowa” ranking. It costs about $10,509 for Iowa Associate Degree Registered Nursing students per year to attend Iowa Lakes Community College.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Iowa Lakes Community College

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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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