Nursing Programs in Des Moines, IA

2027 Best Nursing Schools in Des Moines

Rankings help prospective students compare programs based on objective data, simplifying the search for quality nursing education. With that in mind, Registerednursing.org is proud to present the Best Nursing Schools in Des Moines for 2024. Our rankings rely exclusively on NCLEX pass rates to ensure a fair and data-driven evaluation. For a complete explanation of our methodology, see https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

The available data for Des Moines programs covers 2024, providing a snapshot of current performance.

• 2024: 96.39% average pass rate (166 students)

Yearly Nursing Graduates

The region's nursing programs produced 166 graduates in 2024.

• 2024: 166 graduates

Top Performing Schools

Des Moines Area Community College is the only school with sufficient data, achieving a high average pass rate.

• Des Moines Area Community College: 96.39% average pass rate (166 students, 1 year of data)

Pass Rate by Program Size

The dataset places the program in the large category, demonstrating consistent outcomes for larger cohorts.

• Large (>100 students): 96.39% average pass rate (166 students)

#1

Mercy College of Health Sciences

Des Moines, IA - Private 4-year - mchs.edu

Associate - Associate of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Designed to launch registered nursing careers in two years, Mercy College's Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) combines general education with nine nursing courses, including pharmacology, pathophysiology, and patient care management. The 80-credit, ACEN-accredited program includes clinical rotations at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and other Iowa health systems. Students can attend part-time over seven semesters, with flexible scheduling for working adults. The 2024 ADN cohort posted an 82.5% NCLEX-RN pass rate among 40 students, and 100% of graduates found jobs within a year. An optional pathway allows students to earn an LPN while completing the ASN, and the curriculum integrates servant leadership and a capstone project for well-rounded practice.

• ACEN, Iowa Board of Nursing accredited
• 6-Semester program
• Complete in in just two years
• 80 total credit hours
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts fall/spring
• 82% licensure pass rate
• 100% job placement rate
• 2.7 GPA minimum
• $75,330 median earnings

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Mercy College of Health Sciences offers a three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) built for early immersion, with nursing courses from day one. The 67-credit CCNE-accredited curriculum spans pharmacology, pediatrics, mental health, maternal-newborn care, and population health, plus leadership, informatics, and a capstone. Students log 607.5 clinical hours beginning the first semester at top Des Moines facilities. Faculty average over 23 years of clinical experience. Graduates of the 2024 BSN cohort achieved a 91.87% NCLEX-RN pass rate (246 test-takers), with 100% job placement. The program also gives LPNs four academic credits toward the BSN and starts in fall or spring. Minimum GPA is 2.7.

• 3-Year program
• Complete in as little as three years
• 67 total credit hours
• Full-time and part-time options
• Starts fall/spring
• 88% licensure pass rate
• 100% job placement rate
• 2.7 GPA minimum
• $75,330 median earnings
• Prerequisite courses required

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#2

Grand View University

Des Moines, IA - Private 4-year - grandview.edu

Bachelor's - Nursing BSN

Campus Based - Visit Website

Grand View University's BSN prelicensure program prepares students for registered nursing careers across diverse healthcare settings. The curriculum includes community and public health, behavioral health, geriatrics, and research, preparing graduates to care for an aging, diverse population. Through in-person classes, students gain clinical experience and may participate in a nursing living-learning community. The program offers full-time and part-time options. Graduates work in hospitals, long-term care, school health, and primary care. The program achieved an 87.5% NCLEX pass rate in 2024 (32 students). Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church and military-friendly, Grand View emphasizes holistic care and health policy.

• Full-time and part-time options
• Living-learning community available
• In-person program format

#3

Iowa State University

Ames, IA - Public 4-Year - iastate.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Iowa State University's hybrid RN-to-BSN program serves licensed RNs seeking advancement. Blending online coursework with one Tuesday on-campus session, the curriculum covers research, leadership, population health, and self-care. It develops culturally responsive care and clinical judgment without requiring ACT or SAT—applicants need an active RN license. New fall cohorts allow full-time completion in two semesters or part-time in four. Zero textbook fees for nursing courses ease costs. ACEN accreditation prepares graduates for public health, informatics, forensic nursing, and health policy roles. Because students are already RNs, NCLEX pass rates do not apply.

• ACEN accredited
• 2-Semester program
• Full-time and part-time options
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts fall
• Cohort-based structure
• No textbook fees for nursing courses
• One day per week on campus
• Designed for working registered nurses
• Accessible faculty

*Based on: IPEDS 2025, U.S. Department of Education. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Des Moines, IA

Changing jobs or beginning your first serious career can bring about a mix of emotions. Fortunately, for those entering nursing in Des Moines, IA, there are numerous colleges with low or zero-entry barriers so you can start your LPN to RN, ADN or BSN educational journey right away.

PN to RN Programs

Licensed Practical Nurses (PNs) support patient care in many ways yet nurses who are looking to provide greater assistance to their patients – and earn a higher wage – can do so by becoming an RN. In Iowa, a number of community colleges offer a seamless educational Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse path. For instance, Iowa Central Community College’s associate’s program includes Practical Nursing curriculum as its first year of study. As such, students can simply complete the second year of the program to sit for the NCLEX exam and become an RN.

ADN Programs

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs in Iowa allow students to get the foundational level of training they need to enter the field of nursing. Most programs are offered at junior or community colleges and expose students to clinical rotations in areas such as medical, surgical, OB-GYN, pediatrics and geriatrics. Des Moines Area Community College offers an ADN program that also prepares students for their RN.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

If you are confident that caring for others is your professional calling, then you may want to consider a direct-entry Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Des Moines, IA. Offered in hybrid online and on-ground formats and at a quickened pace, today’s BSN programs can often be earned in three instead of four years. Mercy College of Health Sciences, which has been educating nurses for over 100 years, offers an accredited three-year, concept-based BSN program that provides students with clinical experiences in acute and chronic care settings. The bachelor’s nursing program boasts that 88% of graduates receive a job offer within the first year.

Find out more about Iowa Accelerated BSN Programs.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Des Moines, IA

Registered nurses can better prepare themselves for an ever-changing workforce by completing an accelerated RN to BSN/MSN program. With many online, on-ground and blended educational formats to choose from, working nurses can earn their Bachelors of Science in Nursing or their Masters of Science in Nursing in less time.

RN to BSN Programs

Not surprisingly, top-notch hospitals and medical centers prefer to hire registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree, and this trend in healthcare is likely to persist in the years to come. Working RNs who wish to bolster their earning potential as well as strengthen their learnings can do so by completing RN to BSN programs in the Des Moines, Iowa region. Recognized nationally for their nursing programs, Grandview University offers an RN to BSN option for interested students.

Find out more about Iowa RN to BSN Programs.

RN to MSN Programs

Nurses who are truly ready to excel their careers can complete an RN to MSN bridge program in Iowa. Designed for students who are confident about their career paths in nursing, RN to MSN programs allow students to earn a both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in rapid succession. Graceland University, about an hour outside of Des Moines, offers an RN to MSN bridge program in an intensive, online format. By streamlining university admissions processes, students can save time – and save on tuition costs – in this unique bridge program.

Find out more about Iowa RN to MSN Programs.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Des Moines, IA

Nursing is both a calling and a vocation, and those registered nurses who wish to take on a more impactful role can do so by pursuing advanced practice educational programs. Universities in Iowa offer post-master’s certificates or even doctorate programs so nurses can work toward elevating their career – and their profession.

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

The demand for nurses extends beyond the hospital and into the college classroom where nursing instructors are needed to teach the next generation of RNs. Experienced nurses looking to become educators themselves can earn their Nurse Educator Graduate Certificate from Purdue University Global, located outside of Des Moines, IA. It also offers other post-grad certs such as Nurse Practitioner and Leadership.

Find out more about Iowa Post-Master's Certificate Programs and Iowa Nurse Practitioner Programs.

DNP Programs

Experienced nurses seeking to teach at the college level or play a leadership role in hospital administration may choose to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). In addition to MSN and post-grad certs, Purdue University Global offers a highly regarded DNP in an online format. From scientific research to nursing administration, the program prepares nurses to engage the profession at the highest levels.

Find out more about Iowa DNP Programs.