Overview of Nursing Schools in Iowa
- There are 31 nursing schools in Iowa. The CCNE accredits 16 nursing schools and the ACEN accredits 9 schools in Iowa.
- Typically, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) will take between 18 to 24 months to complete, and a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) will take about 4 years to complete.
- The average NCLEX passing rate range for ADN students in Iowa is between 65.28% and 96.53%.
- The average NCLEX passing rate range for BSN students in Iowa is between 68.38% and 95.85%.
- The average annual salary for registered nurses is between $52,080 to $111,220 a year.
- Registered Nurses (RN) throughout the country and in Iowa can expect a favorable job growth of 15 percent from 2016 to 2026 which much faster than the average for all occupations.
Recommended Nursing Schools for Iowa
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
About Nursing Schools in Iowa
The field of nursing is constantly evolving and has become a part of the grand conversation in the healthcare industry. There is a high need for registered nurses who have obtained a BSN but, only half of current RNs have done so. Iowa is working hard to change this statistic. Since 2000, the American Nurses Association Board of Directors believed that a BSN should be a standard requirement for those entering the nursing profession. This debate has been constantly debated but many states are in favor of this legislation being passed. Nursing schools in Iowa have responded to this need by introducing accelerated courses for nurses to transition from an RN to a BSN in a small amount of time through on-sites classes, online programs, or a combination of both.
In our Iowa RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key Iowa RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.
In the State of Iowa, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.
Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.
BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Iowa RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN
Compare RN Programs | ADN | BSN |
---|---|---|
Number of Nursing Programs | 15 | 18 |
Average NCLEX Passing Rate | 85.27% | 86.41% |
NCLEX Passing Rate Range | 65.28% to 96.53% | 68.38% to 95.85% |
Best Ranked RN Programs in Iowa
To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Iowa and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.
To create our rankings, we evaluated 13 ADN degree programs and 16 BSN degree programs in Iowa. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Iowa to provide our state rankings. View our methodology.
Best Nursing Schools (BSN) in Iowa
University of Dubuque
Pass Rate
- 2000 University Ave, Dubuque, IA - 52001
- (563) 589-3000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.92%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor
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University Information
Total Faculty: 109
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $950
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 95%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $24,252
Percent Admitted: 79%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 29%
Graduation Rate: 46%
Allen College
Pass Rate
- 1990 Heath St, Waterloo, IA - 50703-1999
- (319) 226-2000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.36%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, LPN to BSN, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate, RN to MSN
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University Information
Total Faculty: 43
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,200
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: N/A
Average Grant or Scholarship: $2,024,380
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: N/A
Northwestern College
Pass Rate
- 101 Seventh St SW, Orange City, IA - 51041
- (712) 707-7000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.33%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor
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University Information
Total Faculty: 78
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,160
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 100%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $21,658
Percent Admitted: 74%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 33%
Graduation Rate: 69%
University of Iowa
Pass Rate
- 101 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, IA - 52242-1316
- (319) 335-3500
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.80%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, CNL, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, BSN to PhD, MSN, MSN to DNP
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University Information
Total Faculty: 2768
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $9,942
Book and Supplies: $950
Percent Received Aid: 87%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $8,778
Percent Admitted: 84%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 22%
Graduation Rate: 72%
North Iowa Area Community College
Pass Rate
- 500 College Dr, Mason City, IA - 50401
- (641) 423-1264
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.90%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
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University Information
Total Faculty: 67
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $5,971
Book and Supplies: $1,044
Percent Received Aid: 96%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,576
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 52%
Coe College
Pass Rate
- 1220 First Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA - 52402-5092
- (319) 399-8000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.88%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor
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University Information
Total Faculty: 128
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,000
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 100%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $34,875
Percent Admitted: 80%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 7%
Graduation Rate: 62%
Iowa Central Community College
Pass Rate
- One Triton Circle, Fort Dodge, IA - 50501
- (515) 576-7201
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.60%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 88
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $6,000
Book and Supplies: $1,520
Percent Received Aid: 94%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,180
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 34%
Mount Mercy University
Martin-Herold College of Nursing and Health
Pass Rate
- 1330 Elmhurst Dr NE, Cedar Rapids, IA - 52402-4797
- (319) 363-8213
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.65%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor, MSN
University Information
Total Faculty: 84
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,320
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 100%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $16,290
Percent Admitted: 76%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 25%
Graduation Rate: 57%
Southeastern Community College
Pass Rate
- 1500 West Agency Road, West Burlington, IA - 52655-0180
- (319) 752-2731
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.70%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
University Information
Total Faculty: 70
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $6,090
Book and Supplies: $1,298
Percent Received Aid: 85%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,804
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 33%
Additional List of Top Iowa Nursing Programs
Grade
|
University
|
Iowa Rank
|
Degree
|
---|---|---|---|
86.60 | Southwestern Community College | 6 | ADN |
85.70 | St Luke's College | 7 | ADN |
84.90 | Northwest Iowa Community College | 8 | ADN |
82.20 | Des Moines Area Community College | 9 | ADN |
76.70 | Hawkeye Community College | 10 | ADN |
75.50 | Western Iowa Tech Community College | 11 | ADN |
68.20 | Mercy College of Health Sciences | 12 | ADN |
67.10 | Eastern Iowa Community College Dist | 13 | ADN |
87.56 | Luther College | 7 | BSN |
85.69 | Morningside College | 8 | BSN |
83.14 | Mercy College of Health Sciences | 9 | BSN |
82.53 | Saint Ambrose University | 10 | BSN |
79.37 | Iowa Wesleyan University | 12 | BSN |
79.30 | Grand View University | 11 | BSN |
76.95 | Clarke University | 13 | BSN |
71.25 | Briar Cliff University | 14 | BSN |
Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Iowa
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Iowa
Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Iowa offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
Online NP Programs Liked by Iowa Nurses
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Iowa RN Licensing Requirements
Iowa has strict regulations nurses must complete in order to gain licensure. There are three ways a nursing candidate can obtain licensure: by exam, by endorsement, and in some cases, by completing a program abroad.
RN Licensure by Exam
Before a candidate can register for test, he/she must have received authorization to do so. The following items must be completed in order to be authorized to test:
- Completed Application for Exam
- Two fingerprint cards and signed waiver form (they must be received from the Iowa Board of Nursing to the nursing program.
- $93 application fee and $50 fee for fingerprint cards. Fees can be paid online, by check, or money order. All fees are non-refundable.
- Official transcripts
- Separate application submitted online to NCLEX which includes the $200 fee
RN Licensure by Endorsement
Nurses who have gained licensure in one of the other 50 states can obtain licensure in Iowa through an endorsement. The following documentation must be submitted in order to complete this process:
- Proof of graduation from a board-approved RN program
- Criminal background check
- Passing the NCLEX exam
- $169 fee payable to the Iowa Board of Nursing
- Verification of original license
RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad
In some cases, nurses who were educated abroad will be able to obtain licensure in the state of Iowa. In order to do so candidates must complete the Professional Report application of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools Credentials Evaluation Service (CES). In order for the report to be complete, the candidate must submit validation of license/ registration. Candidates will also be required to pass an English as a Foreign Language test. This does not apply to nurses who used a textbook and program that was presented in English.
Iowa State Board of Nursing
River Point Business Park
400 S.W. 8th Street
Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309-4685
(515) 281-3255
RN Salaries in Iowa
A lot of medical facilities prefer nurses that have obtained a Bachelor’s degree. Nurses who have completed a program are likely more knowledgeable when employed in some of the following areas:
- Areas requiring administrative and leadership skills
- Research departments that compile statistical nursing data
- Legal units to handle nursing problems and mishaps
There is a high need, not only for nurses, but also for educators to teach new nurses. By obtaining a BSN, you will be closer to becoming a MSN and becoming an educator if this is a desired path.
Iowa Registered Nursing Salaries
Iowa City has the highest hourly and annual median wage, while Des Moines highest RN employment for nurses. Almost all cities within Iowa are within 10% in salary range.
Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.