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2027 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa

35 Colleges in the United States
2,249 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
$66,577 Avg Early-Career Salary

Registered Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their registered nursing programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Registered 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 registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Registered Nursing

1
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

No school ranked higher than University Of Iowa this year for registered nursing. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 217 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Iowa earn around $96,368 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,811 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Iowa

2

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. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Iowa State University awarded about 13 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at Iowa State University

3

Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. About 81 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College earn around $63,214 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,597. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Western Iowa Tech Community College

4
Luther College crest
Luther College
Decorah, IA

A rank of #4 makes Luther College one of the top schools for registered nursing. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Decorah. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Luther College awarded about 33 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Luther College earn a median of $75,533 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Luther College

5

Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Saint Ambrose University, which ranked #5. 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%. There were roughly 78 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $66,151 early in their careers. Saint Ambrose University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Saint Ambrose University

6
Mount Mercy University crest
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA

Mount Mercy University placed #6 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 73 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Mount Mercy University in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $66,647 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full registered nursing details for Mount Mercy University

7
Allen College crest
Allen College
Waterloo, IA

Allen College came in at #7 for registered nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waterloo. Allen College awarded about 95 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Allen College earn a median of $84,647 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Read more about the registered nursing program at Allen College

8

Des Moines Area Community College came in at #8 for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. About 175 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent 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. Get the full registered nursing details for Des Moines Area Community College

9
Briar Cliff University crest
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA

Briar Cliff University placed #9 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Briar Cliff University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $61,105 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,918 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Briar Cliff University

10
Morningside College crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, IA

Morningside College placed #10 among the best registered nursing schools. 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. There were roughly 38 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Morningside College 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

11

Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #11 spot for registered nursing this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Calmar. About 63 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $57,546. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar

12

Iowa Western Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Iowa Western Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. There were roughly 102 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $65,268 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,938 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Iowa Western Community College

13

Graceland University Lamoni ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. Graceland University Lamoni awarded about 44 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Graceland University Lamoni generally make around $97,582. Typical student debt for the program is $30,754. Get the full registered nursing details for Graceland University Lamoni

14
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College earned the #14 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. About 136 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered 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. See the full registered nursing program report for Kirkwood Community College

15

Northwestern College Iowa placed #15 among the best registered nursing schools. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 27 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern College Iowa 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. See the full registered nursing program report for Northwestern College Iowa

16

Iowa Central Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 97 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Central Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $56,562. Students borrow a median of $21,093 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Iowa Central Community College

17

Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #17 spot for registered nursing this year. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. There were roughly 122 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Iowa Community College District in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $62,338 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,767. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Eastern Iowa Community College District

18

Northwest Iowa Community College placed #18 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 36 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Northwest Iowa Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College generally make around $62,453. Northwest Iowa Community College graduates carry a median of $20,886 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Northwest Iowa Community College

19

North Iowa Area Community College placed #19 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 41 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at North Iowa Area Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $58,096. Typical student debt for the program is $15,600. More information about a degree in registered nursing from North Iowa Area Community College

20

University Of Dubuque ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dubuque graduates 40% of students within six years. About 18 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Dubuque in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Dubuque earn around $66,628 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,750. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Dubuque

21
Dordt College crest
Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College earned the #21 position for registered nursing this year. Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Sioux Center. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Dordt College awarded about 23 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $71,680. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Dordt College

22
St Lukes College crest
St Lukes College
Sioux City, IA

St Lukes College earned the #22 position for registered nursing this year. St Lukes College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. There were roughly 46 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at St Lukes College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $71,064 in their early career. St Lukes College graduates carry a median of $24,063 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at St Lukes College

23

Mercy College Of Health Sciences landed the #23 spot for registered nursing this year. 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. About 274 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Mercy College Of Health Sciences in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Mercy College Of Health Sciences earn around $65,088 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $33,893. Get the full registered nursing details for Mercy College Of Health Sciences

24

Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best registered nursing schools. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Burlington. There were roughly 55 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Southeastern Community College West Burlington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $61,159. Southeastern Community College West Burlington graduates carry a median of $22,288 in student loans. Get the full registered nursing details for Southeastern Community College West Burlington

25

Upper Iowa University placed #25 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Upper Iowa University graduates 33% of students within six years. Upper Iowa University awarded about 54 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $70,224 in their early career. Upper Iowa University graduates carry a median of $35,004 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Upper Iowa University

Rest of the Top 35 Registered Nursing Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing ranking:

26
27
Coe College crest
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA
28
29
Grand View University crest
Grand View University
Des Moines, IA
30
Clarke University crest
Clarke University
Dubuque, IA
31
32
33
34
35

View All Registered 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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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