2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa

1

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

Our analysis ranked University Of Iowa the best school in the country for a degree in registered nursing. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 232 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $96,368 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,811 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Iowa

2

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 15 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $53,900 in their early career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Iowa State University

3

Luther College
Decorah, IA

Luther College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. 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 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Luther College earn around $75,533 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Luther College

4

Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA

Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Saint Ambrose University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Saint Ambrose University awarded about 95 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $66,151 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full registered nursing program report for Saint Ambrose University

5

Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City, IA

Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Western Iowa Tech Community College awarded about 86 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $63,214. Typical student debt for the program is $22,597. Read more about the registered nursing program at Western Iowa Tech Community College

6

Northwestern College Iowa
Orange City, IA

Northwestern College Iowa placed #6 among the best registered nursing schools. 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. Northwestern College Iowa awarded about 30 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $71,479 early in their careers. Northwestern College Iowa graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Northwestern College Iowa

7

Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA

Mount Mercy University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 71 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Mount Mercy University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $66,647. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full registered nursing details for Mount Mercy University

8

Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA

Briar Cliff University placed #8 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 48% of students finish within six years. Briar Cliff University awarded about 25 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $61,105 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,918. Get the full registered nursing details for Briar Cliff University

9

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Des Moines Area Community College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 181 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Des Moines Area Community College earn around $59,181 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,496. Read more about the registered nursing program at Des Moines Area Community College

10

Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar
Calmar, IA

Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #10 among the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Calmar. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar awarded about 74 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $57,546. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar

11

Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA

Hawkeye Community College earned the #11 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 122 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Hawkeye Community College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $58,835 early in their careers. Hawkeye Community College graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Hawkeye Community College

12

Graceland University Lamoni
Lamoni, IA

Graceland University Lamoni placed #12 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. There were roughly 63 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Graceland University Lamoni in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $97,582 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,754. See the full registered nursing program report for Graceland University Lamoni

13

Allen College
Waterloo, IA

Allen College earned the #13 position for registered nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waterloo. There were roughly 112 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Allen College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered 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. See the full registered nursing program report for Allen College

14

William Penn University
Oskaloosa, IA

William Penn University landed the #14 spot for registered nursing this year. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. About 33% of students finish within six years. William Penn University awarded about 21 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered 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. Get the full registered nursing details for William Penn University

15

Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs, IA

Iowa Western Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. There were roughly 110 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Iowa Western Community College earn around $65,268 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,938. Get the full registered nursing details for Iowa Western Community College

16

Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College earned the #16 position for registered nursing this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. There were roughly 144 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $64,461 in their early career. Kirkwood Community College graduates carry a median of $22,957 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Kirkwood Community College

17

Morningside College
Sioux City, IA

Morningside College earned the #17 position for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux City. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Morningside College awarded about 24 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Morningside College generally make around $84,126. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000. Read more about the registered nursing program at Morningside College

18

North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City, IA

North Iowa Area Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. 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 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $58,096 early in their careers. North Iowa Area Community College graduates carry a median of $15,600 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for North Iowa Area Community College

19

Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA

Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #19 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Eastern Iowa Community College District awarded about 125 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $62,338 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,767 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Eastern Iowa Community College District

20

Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA

Iowa Central Community College placed #20 among the best registered nursing schools. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. About 80 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Iowa Central Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $56,562. Typical student debt for the program is $21,093. See the full registered nursing program report for Iowa Central Community College

21

Northwest Iowa Community College
Sheldon, IA

Northwest Iowa Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Sheldon. There were roughly 39 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northwest Iowa Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $62,453 in their early career. Northwest Iowa Community College graduates carry a median of $20,886 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Northwest Iowa Community College

22

Mercy College Of Health Sciences
Des Moines, IA

Mercy College Of Health Sciences earned the #22 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Mercy College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 325 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Mercy College Of Health Sciences in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Mercy College Of Health Sciences generally make around $65,088. Typical student debt for the program is $33,893. See the full registered nursing program report for Mercy College Of Health Sciences

23

Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Sioux Center. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Dordt College awarded about 19 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $71,680 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Dordt College

24

St Lukes College
Sioux City, IA

St Lukes College came in at #24 for registered nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux City. St Lukes College awarded about 60 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of St Lukes College earn a median of $71,064 early in their careers. St Lukes College graduates carry a median of $24,063 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from St Lukes College

25

University Of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA

University Of Dubuque ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. University Of Dubuque awarded about 17 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $66,628. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Dubuque