Iowa has more than a dozen colleges producing BSN graduates, from the University of Iowa to small private colleges with strong reputations. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top five.
Imagine you grew up in Iowa and want to stay close to home for nursing school. You could choose a Big Ten university in Iowa City or a small private college where your lecturers know your name. These numbers help you weigh the options.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Iowa that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Iowa nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Iowa | Iowa City | Public | 75% | 232 | $76,816 | $11,622 |
| 2 | Luther College | Decorah | Private nonprofit | 68% | 46 | $81,045 | $54,250 |
| 3 | Northwestern College | Orange City | Private nonprofit | 66% | 30 | $70,007 | $38,360 |
| 4 | Saint Ambrose University | Davenport | Private nonprofit | 65% | 95 | $72,619 | $38,113 |
| 5 | Mercy College of Health Sciences | Des Moines | Private nonprofit | 59% | 276 | $76,437 | $18,024 |
| 6 | Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids | Private nonprofit | 55% | 71 | $75,229 | $42,772 |
| 7 | Clarke University | Dubuque | Private nonprofit | 55% | 20 | $74,349 | $42,420 |
| 8 | Grand View University | Des Moines | Private nonprofit | 52% | 34 | $73,065 | $36,136 |
| 9 | Morningside University | Sioux City | Private nonprofit | 51% | 24 | $80,862 | $41,190 |
| 10 | Briar Cliff University | Sioux City | Private nonprofit | 47% | 25 | n/a | $39,064 |
| 11 | Graceland University-Lamoni | Lamoni | Private nonprofit | 43% | 63 | $79,916 | $22,040 |
| 12 | William Penn University | Oskaloosa | Private nonprofit | 36% | 23 | n/a | $30,800 |
| 13 | Upper Iowa University | Fayette | Private nonprofit | 32% | 46 | $80,032 | $20,000 |
Also offering a BSN in Iowa (not ranked: either a comparable graduation rate isn’t reported, often because they mainly enrol transfer, upper-division or adult students, or they’re for-profit career colleges whose college-wide rates aren’t comparable with universities):
| College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen College | Waterloo | Private nonprofit | n/a | 112 | $74,963 | n/a |
| St Luke’s College | Sioux City | Private nonprofit | n/a | 26 | $79,182 | $24,460 |
Top Iowa nursing schools reviewed
1. University of Iowa
The University of Iowa College of Nursing in Iowa City is one of the top public nursing schools in the Midwest, linked to University of Iowa Health Care, one of the largest academic medical centres in the country.
- Graduation rate: 75%, number 1 in Iowa on our list
- Programme size: about 232 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $76,816 one year after graduating
- Cost: $11,622 in-state tuition ($33,710 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 84%
2. Luther College
Luther College in Decorah is a small Lutheran liberal arts college with a nursing programme known for high graduation rates.
- Graduation rate: 68%, number 2 in Iowa on our list
- Programme size: about 46 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $81,045 one year after graduating
- Cost: $54,250 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 72%
3. Northwestern College
Northwestern College in Orange City is a small Christian college in northwest Iowa offering a personal nursing education.
- Graduation rate: 66%, number 3 in Iowa on our list
- Programme size: about 30 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $70,007 one year after graduating
- Cost: $38,360 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 80%
4. Saint Ambrose University
St. Ambrose University in Davenport is a Catholic university in the Quad Cities offering a BSN with regional clinical placements.
- Graduation rate: 65%, number 4 in Iowa on our list
- Programme size: about 95 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $72,619 one year after graduating
- Cost: $38,113 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 77%
5. Mercy College of Health Sciences
Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines is a specialist health sciences college focused on nursing and allied health.
- Graduation rate: 59%, number 5 in Iowa on our list
- Programme size: about 276 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, one of the largest in the state
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $76,437 one year after graduating
- Cost: $18,024 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 100%
Ways to become a registered nurse in Iowa
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the Iowa Board of Nursing. Iowa is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence lets you practise in other compact states.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Iowa offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 15 colleges in Iowa produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 1,123 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Iowa nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
University of Iowa has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 75%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in Iowa?
Mercy College of Health Sciences produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 276 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in Iowa?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $70,007 to $81,045, with a typical (median) figure of about $76,437. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in Iowa?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $11,622 to $11,622 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Iowa Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the Iowa Board of Nursing website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Iowa Board of Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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