Methodology +
Accredited Schools Online uses a proprietary blend of cost, quality, and student support services to determine overall rankings. The supporting data comes from reputable sources including the schools themselves. We focus our rankings on accredited and not-for-profit institutions.
Our data analysis team and higher education experts have worked together to create a scoring system that includes key qualitative and quantitative measures. The data attributes are then weighted based on relevance.
The scoring methodology includes factors such as:
- Cost & financial aid
- Number of programs and program offerings
- Student-teacher ratios
- Graduation rates
- Placement and support services offered
- Academic/Career counseling services
- Employment services
- And many others
These factors are assembled for each school and rated using a peer-based-value (PBV) calculation. PBV compares the cost of a program to the cost of other programs with the same (or similar) qualitative score and cost. PBV denotes the overall value or 'bang for your buck' of a college or degree program.
Methodology +
Accredited Schools Online uses a proprietary blend of cost, quality, and student support services to determine overall rankings. The supporting data comes from reputable sources including the schools themselves. We focus our rankings on accredited and not-for-profit institutions.
Our data analysis team and higher education experts have worked together to create a scoring system that includes key qualitative and quantitative measures. The data attributes are then weighted based on relevance.
The scoring methodology includes factors such as:
- Cost & financial aid
- Number of programs and program offerings
- Student-teacher ratios
- Graduation rates
- Placement and support services offered
- Academic/Career counseling services
- Employment services
- And many others
These factors are assembled for each school and rated using a peer-based-value (PBV) calculation. PBV compares the cost of a program to the cost of other programs with the same (or similar) qualitative score and cost. PBV denotes the overall value or 'bang for your buck' of a college or degree program.
Top Nursing Schools in Iowa
| Rank | School Name | Score | Tuition | Student/Teacher ratio | Program count | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Hills Community College | 95.25 | $$$$$ | 17:1 | 1 | 24% |
| 2 | Hawkeye Community College | 95.25 | $$$$$ | 15:1 | 3 | 28% |
| 3 | Northwest Iowa Community College | 95.00 | $$$$$ | 13:1 | 3 | 54% |
| 4 | Northeast Iowa Community College-Calmar | 94.75 | $$$$$ | 14:1 | 3 | 34% |
| 5 | Western Iowa Tech Community College | 94.00 | $$$$$ | 17:1 | 3 | 18% |
| 6 | Southwestern Community College | 94.00 | $$$$$ | 15:1 | 3 | 40% |
| 7 | Iowa Lakes Community College | 94.00 | $$$$$ | 15:1 | 3 | 48% |
| 8 | Eastern Iowa Community College District | 93.75 | $$$$$ | 17:1 | 3 | 28% |
| 9 | Kirkwood Community College | 93.50 | $$$$$ | 18:1 | 3 | 22% |
| 10 | Southeastern Community College | 92.50 | $$$$$ | 18:1 | 3 | 29% |
| 11 | North Iowa Area Community College | 92.50 | $$$$$ | 20:1 | 3 | 41% |
| 12 | Des Moines Area Community College | 92.25 | $$$$$ | 20:1 | 3 | 20% |
| 13 | Iowa Central Community College | 91.75 | $$$$$ | 20:1 | 3 | 37% |
| 14 | Iowa Western Community College | 90.75 | $$$$$ | 19:1 | 3 | 18% |
| 15 | Marshalltown Community College | 90.75 | $$$$$ | 26:1 | 1 | 18% |
| 16 | Ellsworth Community College | 90.75 | $$$$$ | 21:1 | 3 | 19% |
| Rank | School Name | Score | Tuition | Student/Teacher ratio | Program count | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allen College | 96.75 | $$$$$ | 9:1 | 2 | 75% |
| 2 | St Luke's College | 96.00 | $$$$$ | 5:1 | 11 | 100% |
| 3 | University of Iowa | 93.75 | $$$$$ | 16:1 | 1 | 70% |
| 4 | Mercy College of Health Sciences | 93.25 | $$$$$ | 8:1 | 7 | 41% |
| 5 | Clarke University | 93.25 | $$$$$ | 8:1 | 4 | 74% |
| 6 | Graceland University-Lamoni | 92.25 | $$$$$ | 13:1 | 3 | 54% |
| 7 | Grand View University | 91.00 | $$$$$ | 13:1 | 7 | 47% |
| 8 | Mount Mercy University | 91.00 | $$$$$ | 14:1 | 5 | 72% |
| 9 | Saint Ambrose University | 90.50 | $$$$$ | 11:1 | 7 | 57% |
| 10 | Iowa Wesleyan College | 90.25 | $$$$$ | 10:1 | 7 | 32% |
| 11 | Briar Cliff University | 90.00 | $$$$$ | 12:1 | 5 | 47% |
| 12 | Luther College | 90.00 | $$$$$ | 12:1 | 11 | 82% |
| 13 | Coe College | 89.75 | $$$$$ | 11:1 | 11 | 70% |
| 14 | University of Dubuque | 89.00 | $$$$$ | 13:1 | 11 | 48% |
| 15 | Morningside College | 89.00 | $$$$$ | 13:1 | 11 | 54% |
| 16 | Northwestern College | 88.50 | $$$$$ | 13:1 | 11 | 63% |
| 17 | Dordt College | 87.75 | $$$$$ | 15:1 | 11 | 66% |
| 18 | William Penn University | 86.75 | $$$$$ | 17:1 | 11 | 35% |
| 19 | Upper Iowa University | 86.00 | $$$$$ | 18:1 | 11 | 38% |
Browse Top Iowa Nursing Schools
Nursing schools are working to educate the next generation of nurses, and Iowa uses its public education system to offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs for aspiring RNs and advanced practice nurses. To explore nursing school in Iowa, both public and private, use the search tool below.
What It Takes to Get Licensed in Iowa
To legally practice nursing in Iowa, licensing is required. Nursing licenses are issued by the Iowa Board of Nursing, which is also charged with setting standards for the nursing practice and education in the state. Nurses looking to get a license can find an overview below:
Eligibility for Licensure
Iowa nurses must graduate from a recognized RN program to be eligible for a license. They then need to:
- Submit an application to sit for the licensure exam, fill out fingerprint cards and sign a waiver form for a background check, and pay a $143 fee for application and fingerprint processing
- Arrange for their nursing program to mail official transcripts directly to the Iowa Board of Nursing
- Simultaneously register to take the NCLEX-RN with the test administrator, Pearson VUE, and pay a $200 fee
Upon receipt of all materials by the state and Pearson VUE, applicants will receive authorization to test (ATT). They then have 90 days to schedule and pass the exam. Applicants who do not pass can reapply with the state and Pearson VUE to retake the exam.
Holders of RN licenses for another state can apply for licensure by endorsement. This requires a separate application, but a background check and waiver form are still required. Fees are slightly higher, adding up to $169. Applicants must also verify their original license, which can be done for many via NURSYS.com.
Keeping a License Active
Nursing licenses must be renewed online every three years between 30 and 60 days before the expiration date. The expiration date falls on the 15th of the nurse’s birth month. The fee is $99. During renewal, veteran nurses must be able to document 36 contact hours of continuing education; nurses who are renewing their Iowa license for the first time must document 24 hours.
Becoming an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner in Iowa
Nurse practitioners must first have an RN license from Iowa or a compact state before they can get an advanced registered nurse practitioner license, a title that encompasses 37 categories of health providers. Once they graduate from a master’s or advanced practice program in the specialty and get certified by a recognized national body in the specialty, they can apply to be a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife, or certified registered nurse anesthetist. To apply they must:
- Fill out an application
- Pay $81
- Verify their RN license (if held outside of Iowa)
- Prove they are currently certified in the specialty
- Have official transcripts mailed to the Iowa Board of Nursing
- Report any criminal offenses
Iowa does not issue temporary licenses to ARNPs, so it is vital to begin this process well in advance of starting to practice as an ARNP.
For renewal, advanced registered nurse practitioners must renew their RN licenses before renewing their advanced practice licenses. ARNPs do not need to do continuing education credits to renew their license beyond what is required by their national certifying body. Some advanced practice nurses, however, must do two hours of training every five years on reporting of child abuse.
The Iowa Board of Nursing offers more detailed information on Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Licensure. Visit the site for application forms, information on Compact renewal, and FAQs.
Nursing Salaries & Employment in Iowa
Like many other occupations, salary and employment for RNs in Iowa can vary greatly, depending on education, location, and type of employer. To get a sense of what the state has to offer registered nurses, review the statistics below:
Top-Paying Areas for RNs in Iowa
| Area | Hourly Median Wage | Annual Median Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City | $28.81 | $59,910 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $26.87 | $55,880 |
| Ames | $26.81 | $55,760 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $25.72 | $53,500 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL | $25.37 | $52,770 |
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $25.22 | $52,460 |
| Cedar Rapids | $24.77 | $51,510 |
| Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $24.41 | $50,770 |
| Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $24.24 | $50,420 |
| Dubuque | $23.61 | $49,110 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014
Iowa vs. National Numbers
- Iowa
- National
- Annual Salary (25th percentile)
- Annual Salary (median)
- Annual Salary (75th percentile)
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014 and Projections Central
Organizations & Resources: Iowa Nurses
As the Iowa chapter of the National Student Nurses’ Association, IANS is aimed at RNs. The organization provides professional support to nursing students at 11 schools.
The Iowa Board of Nursing is responsible for licensing nurses of all backgrounds. It is an essential resource for nurses getting an initial license or renewing an existing one.
IDDNA supports the work of nurses who provide care to the disabled patient population. The association runs conferences and holds quarterly meetings, making membership especially valuable for nurses looking to network.
The Iowa Nurses Association is a member of the American Nurses Assocation. It issues scholarships, offers continuing education courses and organizes an annual convention for Iowan nurses.
IONL acts as the voice of management in the nursing profession. To this end, it is focused on advocacy issues and promotes legislation that corresponds with the platform of its national association, the American Organization for Nurse Executives.
The Iowa chapter of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association works to strengthen the psychiatric nursing workforce. It appeals to members by proving both networking and continuing education programs.