Nursing in Iowa
Schools, Licensure and Requirements
Iowa has 55 nursing schools spread across 56 cities, giving students many options close to home whether they live in urban centers like Des Moines or rural areas. This wide geographic spread helps address the state’s nursing shortages in smaller communities while still feeding larger healthcare systems such as UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. These employers are some of the largest in Iowa and offer strong job markets for new nurses.
The state’s average NCLEX pass rate currently sits at about 85.7%, with individual schools ranging from roughly 81% to 93%. This rate is improving, but still slightly below the national average, indicating room for growth in some programs. Students should look closely at pass rates when evaluating schools, especially since some programs may have a stronger track record than others. Iowa’s nursing education tends to balance public institutions with a smaller number of private colleges, which helps keep tuition costs for LPN and ADN programs generally lower than in many other states. For example, LPN program tuition typically falls between $7,000 and $12,000, ADN programs are often in the $8,000 to $20,000 range, and BSN programs usually cost between $20,000 and $45,000, depending on whether you attend community colleges or private universities.
Iowa participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), meaning that once you earn your license here, you can practice in other compact states without applying for additional licenses. This makes it easier for nurses who want to live near state borders or move for work, though some roles may require local certification or employer-specific training.
Registered nurses in Iowa earn an average salary of about $74,600 per year. Entry-level or lower-demand areas may offer closer to $61,000, while specialists or those in urban hospitals can reach near $91,000. Licensed Practical Nurses earn around $55,800 on average. Advanced practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners, certified nurse anesthetists, and midwives, earn salaries ranging from $124,000 to over $227,000 annually. Salaries align with Iowa’s moderate cost of living, especially compared to national averages, but rural areas may pay less than urban centers.
Overall, Iowa’s nursing education and job market show steady demand with improving exam results, affordable tuition options, and good salary potential.
Quick Stats about Iowa
Top 10 Nursing Schools in Iowa
These are the highest-performing nursing schools in Iowa for 2025, ranked by their students' success on the NCLEX-RN exam. If you're choosing where to study, these programs have proven track records of preparing graduates to pass on their first attempt. See how we calculate rankings.
Iowa's NCLEX-RN Pass Rate vs. National Average
Compare Iowa's NCLEX-RN pass rates to the national average over the years, including the number of students who took the exam.
Iowa's NCLEX-PN Pass Rate vs. National Average
Compare Iowa's NCLEX-PN pass rates to the national average over the years, including the number of students who took the exam.
Browse Programs by Type
Browse all nursing programs available in Iowa, organized by degree type. Click any program to see schools offering that program with detailed information for easy comparison.
Undergraduate Programs
Masters Programs
Doctoral Programs
Nursing Scholarships for Iowa Students
Two scholarships are available through The American Legion for military families and high school students interested in government and citizenship. The American Legacy Scholarship offers financial help for college students who lost a parent on active military duty, while the High School Oratorical Scholarship rewards excellence in a constitutional speech contest, with awards up to $25,000. Deadlines and contest dates vary throughout the school year.
American Legacy Scholarship
- Amount: Depends on income from the trust; recipients may reapply
- Who can apply: Children or legally adopted children of U.S. active duty, Guard, or Reserve military personnel who died on active duty on or after September 11, 2001; must be high school seniors or graduates planning to attend college in the U.S.
- Deadline: Not specified (contact for application)
- How to apply: Request an application from The American Legion
- Additional requirements: For undergraduate study only; scholarship funds are meant to help bridge a financial gap in survivor’s benefits
High School Oratorical Scholarship Program
- Amount: From $50 in area contests to $25,000 for national first-place winner
- Who can apply: U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents under age 20 enrolled in grades 9-12 or junior high; must reside or attend school in the state of competition
- Deadline: Local contests by December 7; final national contest in mid-February (state) and May (national)
- How to apply: Enter at local American Legion posts or contact Department Headquarters at 800-365-8387
- Additional requirements: Contestants deliver speeches on the U.S. Constitution, including a prepared oration and assigned topic discourse; only one department contest allowed per contestant; national finalists cannot compete again
This scholarship is for residents of the Heartland Foundation service region, which includes the following counties:
- In Missouri - Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Platte, Ray, and Worth
- In Iowa - Decatur, Fremont, Page, Ringgold, and Taylor
- In Kansas - Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, and Nemaha
- In Nebraska - Nemaha and Richardson
To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be accepted and enrolled in 12 hours of study for a regular semester or equivalent full-time status in an approved nursing or health care-related program. Students enrolled in a pre-health program are not eligible.
The scholarship is for college students who are seeking admission to, or have been accepted into, a baccalaureate program in nursing at an accredited Iowa or Illinois college or university in the region. It is awarded to students with an agreement to work full-time at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, or Genesis Medical Center, Illinois Campus for two years upon completion of their degree.
Iowa State Board of Nursing
6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50321
Mailing Address
6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50321