Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in Iowa
- 31
- Schools
- $51,019
- Avg. Earnings
- 52%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,456
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,599
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 31 schools run from $27,981 to $71,901, a 2.6× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Marshalltown Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $41,010 in median earnings against $8,059 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Marshalltown Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $8,059 a year in net price.
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Drake University graduates 76% of its students, versus a 52% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Northwest Iowa Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.19× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Northwest Iowa Community College ($50,776 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Drake University ($71,901), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Marshalltown Community College costs $8,059 a year and Wartburg College costs $32,908. Yet their graduates earn $41,010 and $56,201, nowhere near the $24,849 price gap.
- On value, Marshalltown Community College beats Drake University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Marshalltown Community College and Drake University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $53K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Northwest Iowa Community College #1 overall | $50,776 ▲ +0% vs avg | $14,800 | 57% | 81 |
| 2 Mount Mercy University #2 overall | $60,787 ▲ +19% vs avg | $20,168 | 57% | 78 |
| 3 Iowa Central Community College #3 overall | $42,046 ▼ -18% vs avg | $9,328 | 43% | 77 |
| $59,850 ▲ +17% vs avg | $23,097 | 73% | 75 | |
| $64,762 ▲ +27% vs avg | $22,531 | 74% | 74 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in Iowa
This analysis ranks 31 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $51,019 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 52% and an average net price of $19,456.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Marshalltown Community College — Net Price: $8,059 | Graduation Rate: 40%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Drake University — 76% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Drake University — Median alumni earnings: $71,901
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$52,559
Median earnings (10yr)
52%
Median graduation rate
$20,942
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Health-professions programs sit at the center of one of the country’s most acute labor stories. An aging population and chronic shortages in nursing and allied health mean these programs are, in effect, staffing the health system. The schools that rise here pair classroom training with real clinical placements and strong licensure pass rates. That pairing is the difference between holding a credential and holding a job.
Across the 31 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $52,559 ten years after they first enrolled, about $4,559 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 52%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $20,942 a year, with about $22,500 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 31% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.3%.
What we’re seeing: demographic pressure keeps demand high, and programs with embedded clinical networks convert that demand into employment fastest. Northwest Iowa Community College leads the list, and graduates across these programs earn a median of $52,559 ten years after enrollment. The constraint is not jobs. It is clinical capacity and licensure throughput, and that is where the strongest programs pull away.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Northwest Iowa Community College lands at #1 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (70/100). Graduates earn a median $50,776 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,800 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Mount Mercy University lands at #2 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $60,787 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,168 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Iowa Central Community College lands at #3 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $42,046 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,328 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Luther College lands at #4 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $59,850 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,097 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
University of Iowa lands at #5 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $64,762 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,531 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Hawkeye Community College lands at #6 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $42,849 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,649 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Northeast Iowa Community College lands at #7 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $41,306 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,272 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Kirkwood Community College lands at #8 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $41,016 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,705 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of Northern Iowa lands at #9 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $55,177 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,901 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Saint Ambrose University lands at #10 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $59,531 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,691 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Drake University lands at #11 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $71,901 a decade after enrolling, 41% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,127 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Simpson College lands at #12 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $59,274 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,936 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Upper Iowa University lands at #13 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $52,766 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,942 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Iowa Western Community College lands at #14 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $42,793 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,629 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Graceland University-Lamoni lands at #15 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $47,361 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,504 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Marshalltown Community College lands at #16 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $41,010 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,059 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Indian Hills Community College lands at #17 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $40,507 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,693 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Grand View University lands at #18 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $52,824 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,774 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Coe College lands at #19 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $57,125 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,745 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Clarke University lands at #20 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $55,396 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,479 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Briar Cliff University lands at #21 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $54,475 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,907 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Morningside University lands at #22 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $55,494 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,320 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Wartburg College lands at #23 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $56,201 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,908 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Dordt University lands at #24 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $52,559 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,807 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Iowa Lakes Community College lands at #25 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $43,108 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,933 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
William Penn University lands at #26 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $48,936 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,601 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Ellsworth Community College lands at #27 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $40,562 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,451 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Mercy College of Health Sciences lands at #28 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (34/100). Graduates earn a median $62,234 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,924 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Northwestern College lands at #29 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $49,802 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,907 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
University of Dubuque lands at #30 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $51,190 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,386 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Maharishi International University lands at #31 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (64/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (46/100). Graduates earn a median $27,981 a decade after enrolling, 45% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,956 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 31 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Nursing is a vital field that offers stable career opportunities, especially in Iowa where the demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow. With so many nursing programs available, prospective students are likely weighing their options carefully. Here, we highlight the best nursing colleges in Iowa, showcasing what each has to offer in terms of outcomes and program focus.
The schools on this list stand out for their commitment to student success, measured through key metrics like graduation rates, average earnings, and student debt levels. For instance, we see average earnings across these institutions at $50,635, with a graduation rate of 52% — figures that give insight into the potential return on investment for students entering the nursing profession. By examining these outcomes, students can make informed choices about which programs might best fit their needs.
Take North Iowa Area Community College and Mount Mercy University, for example. North Iowa boasts average earnings of $43,462 and a graduation rate of 58%, while Mount Mercy leads with $60,787 in earnings but a higher net price of $20,168 and a grad rate of 57%. Each school offers unique trade-offs between cost, potential earnings, and completion rates, illustrating the importance of aligning program selection with individual career goals and financial situations.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 25 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.3%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Clarke University leads the group at 3.4%, with Morningside University (1.8%) and Marshalltown Community College (1.8%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 7.4% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Upper Iowa University enrolls the most, at 14.9%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 21.9% across the list, peaking at 49% at Clarke University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.58, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Drake University is highest at 1.82.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Despite overall positive outcomes, there's a notable difference between North Iowa Area Community College and Iowa Central Community College. North Iowa students earn an average of $43,462, with a graduation rate of 58%, while Iowa Central graduates earn $42,046 but only have a 43% graduation rate. This highlights how even small differences in earnings and completion rates can impact a student’s prospects.
If you’re navigating your options after reviewing this list, consider your own priorities. Weigh factors like location, the specific nursing program that aligns with your career goals, and financial considerations such as net price and debt levels. Each student's situation is unique, and finding the right fit goes beyond just numbers.
Looking at the broader picture, investing in a nursing education can lead to a stable career and a secure financial future. As we see with the earnings data, a good nursing program can provide a pathway to a rewarding life. For one family, choosing the right college means not just a degree, but a foundation for their loved one's career and financial stability.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in Iowa: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in Iowa ranking? +
Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, IA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in Iowa ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $50,776 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 57% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Drake University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $71,901 ten years after enrollment, well above the $51,019 average across the 31 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Marshalltown Community College leads: graduates earn a median $41,010 against net price of about $8,059 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Drake University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 76%, compared with a 52% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $19,456 a year across the 31 ranked schools with cost data. Marshalltown Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $8,059. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in Iowa ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 31 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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