# Best Nursing Colleges in Iowa

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 31 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-iowa

## Methodology

Nursing programs in Iowa ranked by outcomes and program concentration

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Iowa Central Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/iowa-central-community-college) | Fort Dodge, IA | 43% | $42,046 | $9,328 | $11,000 | 0.26x |
| 2 | [Mount Mercy University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mount-mercy-university) | Cedar Rapids, IA | 57% | $60,787 | $20,168 | $23,699 | 0.39x |
| 3 | [North Iowa Area Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-iowa-area-community-college) | Mason City, IA | 58% | $43,462 | $10,010 | $9,500 | 0.22x |
| 4 | [Northeast Iowa Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northeast-iowa-community-college) | Calmar, IA | 50% | $41,306 | $11,272 | $12,000 | 0.29x |
| 5 | [Kirkwood Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kirkwood-community-college) | Cedar Rapids, IA | 42% | $41,016 | $9,705 | $12,000 | 0.29x |
| 6 | [Hawkeye Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hawkeye-community-college) | Waterloo, IA | 38% | $42,849 | $9,649 | $12,000 | 0.28x |
| 7 | [Eastern Iowa Community College District](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-iowa-community-college-district) | Davenport, IA | 39% | $39,060 | $14,017 | $12,739 | 0.33x |
| 8 | [Luther College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/luther-college) | Decorah, IA | 73% | $59,850 | $23,097 | $27,000 | 0.45x |
| 9 | [Indian Hills Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/indian-hills-community-college) | Ottumwa, IA | 40% | $40,507 | $10,693 | $10,500 | 0.26x |
| 10 | [University of Iowa](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-iowa) | Iowa City, IA | 74% | $64,762 | $22,531 | $22,500 | 0.35x |
| 11 | [Saint Ambrose University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-ambrose-university) | Davenport, IA | 62% | $59,531 | $24,691 | $25,000 | 0.42x |
| 12 | [Clarke University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/clarke-university) | Dubuque, IA | 56% | $55,396 | $24,479 | $26,717 | 0.48x |
| 13 | [University of Northern Iowa](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-northern-iowa) | Cedar Falls, IA | 68% | $55,177 | $15,901 | $19,691 | 0.36x |
| 14 | [Graceland University-Lamoni](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/graceland-university-lamoni) | Lamoni, IA | 40% | $47,361 | $18,504 | $21,212 | 0.45x |
| 15 | [Upper Iowa University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/upper-iowa-university) | Fayette, IA | 38% | $52,766 | $20,942 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 16 | [Drake University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/drake-university) | Des Moines, IA | 76% | $71,901 | $29,127 | $23,000 | 0.32x |
| 17 | [Grand View University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grand-view-university) | Des Moines, IA | 55% | $52,824 | $21,774 | $22,500 | 0.43x |
| 18 | [Coe College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/coe-college) | Cedar Rapids, IA | 62% | $57,125 | $18,745 | $27,000 | 0.47x |
| 19 | [Briar Cliff University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/briar-cliff-university) | Sioux City, IA | 48% | $54,475 | $23,907 | $23,250 | 0.43x |
| 20 | [Simpson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/simpson-college) | Indianola, IA | 64% | $59,274 | $21,936 | $26,000 | 0.44x |
| 21 | [Northwestern College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwestern-college) | Orange City, IA | 65% | $49,802 | $25,907 | $23,249 | 0.47x |
| 22 | [Iowa Lakes Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/iowa-lakes-community-college) | Estherville, IA | 36% | $43,108 | $13,933 | $12,000 | 0.28x |
| 23 | [Dordt University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dordt-university) | Sioux Center, IA | 68% | $52,559 | $25,807 | $21,500 | 0.41x |
| 24 | [Morningside University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/morningside-university) | Sioux City, IA | 52% | $55,494 | $31,320 | $26,028 | 0.47x |
| 25 | [William Penn University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/william-penn-university) | Oskaloosa, IA | 31% | $48,936 | $22,601 | $22,415 | 0.46x |
| 26 | [Wartburg College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wartburg-college) | Waverly, IA | 66% | $56,201 | $32,908 | $27,000 | 0.48x |
| 27 | [Ellsworth Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ellsworth-community-college) | Iowa Falls, IA | 40% | $40,562 | $11,451 | $10,000 | 0.25x |
| 28 | [Mercy College of Health Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mercy-college-of-health-sciences) | Des Moines, IA | 56% | $62,234 | $26,924 | $14,745 | 0.24x |
| 29 | [University of Dubuque](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-dubuque) | Dubuque, IA | 41% | $51,190 | $23,386 | $25,750 | 0.5x |
| 30 | [Southwestern Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwestern-community-college) | Creston, IA | 56% | $40,129 | $9,871 | $10,975 | 0.27x |
| 31 | [Maharishi International University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maharishi-international-university) | Fairfield, IA | 34% | $27,981 | $14,956 | $24,781 | 0.89x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Nursing Colleges in Iowa." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-iowa

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.