A school's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is the cleanest signal Iowa applicants have, and a key part of how to choose a nursing program, because every graduate sits the same licensing exam. Among the schools ranked here, rates run from 93.9% at Southwestern Community College to 100% at Indian Hills Community College. Indian Hills' 100% rests on 62 test-takers, Kirkwood's 96.5% on 422.
The order below leans mainly on first-time NCLEX-RN results, with accreditation and completion as tie-breakers.
A gap of a few points can reflect only a handful of students in a small cohort, so read each rate alongside program size and a nursing school cost comparison.
Top NCLEX-RN Outcomes: 10 Iowa Nursing Schools Ranked
Iowa's 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN results give prospective nurses a rare, program-by-program look at how well the state's nursing schools prepare graduates for licensure. The ten schools below are ordered by our overall Iowa nursing school ranking, and each card flags the degree level, the first-time pass rate, and the reporting window behind the number. Where the state's 2025 program-level table does not list a school's results, the card falls back to the most recent pass-rate figure available to us.
How we ranked these
- Institutional graduation rates
- Retention and program completion
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Accreditation and state approval
- Net price and graduate debt
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
Indian Hills Community College
#1Ottumwa, IA · ~$11,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 100% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Career changers set on the associate degree route
Indian Hills keeps the decision simple for students who want an associate degree route to RN licensure rather than a four-year BSN. The program awards an Associate in Applied Science and is listed as either an Associate Degree in Nursing or an Associate of Science in Nursing. Its reported first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate stands at 100%, one of the strongest figures among Iowa associate degree programs.
- Offered as an Associate Degree in Nursing or an Associate of Science in Nursing
- A.A.S. pathway that prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam
Northeast Iowa Community College
#2Calmar, IA · $7,000 – $8,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Licensed practical nurses seeking ADN advanced standing
Northeast Iowa Community College's associate degree nursing program spans 82 credits and mixes classroom instruction with clinical time in hospitals, long-term care centers, and acute care units. High-fidelity manikins that mimic real vital signs and symptoms let students practice handling emergencies before they ever touch a patient. Current LPNs can enter with advanced standing, and the most recent reported first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 98.5%.
- 82 credit hours completed in about 24 months
- Fall and spring start dates
- TEAS or HESI entrance exam required
- 2.2 GPA minimum plus prerequisite courses
- Advanced standing for current licensed practical nurses
- Kibbie Grant of up to $4,500 per year for eligible students
- RN to BSN: 64 credits transfer to partner four-year colleges
- $21,226 total program tuition as listed by the college
Northwestern College
#3Orange City, IA · ~$26,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.5% (2-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Faith-minded undergrads wanting a residential campus BSN
Northwestern's BSN blends a faith-based liberal arts campus with more than 700 clinical hours and a required senior capstone. Students rotate through rural hospitals and urban clinics, can join cross-cultural medical mission trips, and have access to paid summer internships and personal nurse mentoring. The reported first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 98.5%.
- CCNE accredited, with a path to finish in three years
- More than 700 clinical hours plus a required senior capstone
- Paid summer internships and cross-cultural medical mission trips
- Free tutoring from science faculty and one-on-one nurse mentoring
- Nurses Christian Fellowship chapter on campus
Allen College
#4Waterloo, IA · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.9% (3-yr weighted avg)
Allen College built its BSN around flexibility: a 12-month accelerated track, a 24-month traditional track, and a part-time hybrid option for working adults. Students complete 540 to 585 clinical and simulation hours and finish with a one-on-one preceptorship, with rotations that include Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines. The Iowa Board of Nursing's 2025 results list a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 34 Allen candidates, though a second Allen line in the same report shows 92.9% with no explanation from the board.
- Three BSN tracks: 12-month accelerated, 24-month traditional, part-time hybrid
- 540 to 585 clinical and simulation hours
- Final-semester preceptorship working one-on-one with an RN
- Clinical rotations at Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines
- Rolling admissions with full-time and part-time options
- Hybrid track requires Iowa residency
Kirkwood Community College
#5Cedar Rapids, IA · $5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
Kirkwood's ADN trains students in a model hospital lab and places them in clinical rotations at leading local health centers across medical-surgical, maternal-child, pediatric, and mental health settings. The 77-credit program starts three times a year, requires a CNA certificate before entry, and feeds graduates into partner RN to BSN programs. Its 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 97.4% across 78 candidates.
- 77 credit hours, with total program tuition of $17,633
- $229 per credit
- Three start dates each year: fall, spring, and summer
- CNA certificate required before entry
- Clinical rotations at leading local health centers
- Training in a state-of-the-art model hospital environment
- Transfer agreements into partner RN to BSN programs
Mount Mercy University
#6Cedar Rapids, IA · $20,000 – $25,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.7% (2-yr weighted avg)
Mount Mercy offers a CCNE-accredited BSN that can be finished in as little as two years, with rolling admissions and no entrance exam. A clinical simulation lab, the MercyReady education assistance program, and the UnityPoint Health Career Launch partnership connect students to employers before graduation, and a BSN to MSN pathway keeps graduate study in reach. The most recent reported first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 96.7%, alongside a reported 96% job placement rate.
- CCNE accredited; completion possible in as little as two years
- No entrance exam required, and admission is test optional
- 3.5 GPA minimum plus prerequisite coursework
- MercyReady and UnityPoint Health Career Launch employer partnerships
- MMU Plus pathway from the BSN into the MSN
- $0 application fee; students receive scholarships or grants
- Clinical Simulation Laboratory for hands-on practice
- Military benefits and employer tuition reimbursement accepted
Iowa Lakes Community College
#7Estherville, IA · $7,000 – $8,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Iowa Lakes runs a five-term, 76-credit ADN with simulation labs, hospital clinical rotations, and an LPN to ADN pathway that awards eight credits for prior learning. Partnerships with four-year colleges give graduates a clear route to a BSN, and a clinical preceptorship closes out the program. The 2025 state results show a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across 24 candidates.
- Five-term program totaling 76 credit hours
- Fall and summer start dates; ACT entrance exam required
- 2.5 GPA minimum plus prerequisite courses
- LPN to ADN pathway awards eight credits for prior learning
- Clinical preceptorship included before graduation
- Partnerships with four-year colleges for BSN completion
University of Iowa
#8Iowa City, IA · $11,000 – $33,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 94.9% (2-yr weighted avg)
The University of Iowa admits up to 168 nursing students a year, splitting them roughly evenly between direct admission for high-achieving high schoolers and standard admission. The BSN is CCNE accredited and full-time, with a curriculum that feeds into graduate study through the college's DNP and PhD pathways. The 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 93.81% across 97 candidates.
- CCNE accredited, full-time enrollment
- Admits up to 168 students a year: up to 84 direct, up to 84 standard
- Direct admission for first-year applicants with a 3.80 high school GPA
- From fall 2027, at least 70% of BSN admits must be Iowans under scheduled state law
- RN to BSN requires an Iowa RN license and a 3.00 cumulative GPA
- 3+1 agreements let community college graduates finish the RN to BSN in three semesters
- Transfer admission is scheduled to phase out after spring 2027
Southwestern Community College
#9Creston, IA · ~$10,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 93.9% (3-yr weighted avg)
Southwestern uses a ladder structure: students complete the practical nursing year, earn licensure, then continue into the RN portion of the associate degree. Clinicals run twice a week at area health care facilities, coursework covers pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and pediatrics, and graduates can articulate into BSN programs. The most recent reported first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 93.9%.
- Two-year ladder program starting with the practical nursing year
- One start date each year, in the fall
- Clinical experiences twice a week at area health care facilities
- Eligible for the Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship
- Articulation agreements into BSN programs
- Student nurse organization on campus
North Iowa Area Community College
#10Mason City, IA · ~$10,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 94.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
NIACC's ADN spans five terms of nursing theory plus anatomy, microbiology, nutrition, and psychology, with clinical rotations at hospitals, clinics, and nursing facilities. Two entry routes serve new students and licensed practical nurses, and evening and weekend clinical shifts help students who work. The 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 91.4% across 35 candidates.
- 72.5 credit hours across five terms
- Two entry routes: new students and licensed practical nurses
- 2.0 GPA minimum; ACT entrance exam required
- Nurse aide certification and criminal background check required
- Evening and weekend clinical rotations at hospitals and clinics
- Summer and fall start dates
- RN to BSN progression pathways
Behind the Scores: Pass Rates First, Then Accreditation and Completion
Iowa's Board of Nursing counts 35 associate-degree and 26 bachelor's-degree prelicensure RN program sites, and graduates of every one of them must pass the same licensing exam. That shared finish line is why comparing NCLEX pass rates by school is the most honest signal of how well a school prepares students. Brochures vary. The exam does not.
Read Pass Rates Across Several Years
A single year can mislead. In a small cohort, two or three students can swing a pass rate by double digits. Look at results over about three years, weighted by how many graduates actually tested, before deciding a program is consistently strong or slipping, and use How to Read NCLEX-RN Pass Rate Data to make sense of the numbers.
Board Approval vs. National Accreditation
Iowa requires Board approval for any prelicensure nursing program operating in the state, and that approval can run up to six years between reviews. National accreditation is a separate layer and is not required for Board approval.1 ACEN commonly accredits associate-degree programs: Des Moines Area Community College holds ACEN accreditation for its ADN program,2 and North Iowa Area Community College holds ACEN accreditation for its ADN program.3 CCNE more often accredits bachelor's programs. Accreditation matters when you transfer credits, apply to graduate school, or job hunt, since many employers and BSN or MSN programs expect a nationally accredited degree.
Know the Limits of the Numbers
Graduation rates and net price figures usually describe the whole institution, not the nursing program alone, so treat them as averages rather than quotes. Before applying, confirm current status on the Iowa Board of Nursing approved-programs list and the ACEN or CCNE directory, checking the exact credential and campus you plan to attend.
What Nursing School Costs in Iowa: Net Price, Debt, and First-Year Pay
How much does nursing school cost in Iowa? The lowest-cost route to an RN license is an associate degree (ADN) at a public community college. 2024 IPEDS and College Scorecard data put in-state tuition and fees at the schools below between $5,040 and $8,064 a year, with average net price after grants running from $8,770 at Western Iowa Tech to $13,933 at Iowa Lakes. Net price is a campus-wide figure that includes living costs, so it runs higher than tuition. Comparable figures for BSN programs at public universities and private colleges are not shown in this table. Program-level median debt, estimated monthly loan payments, and earnings one year after finishing are not yet published for these ADN programs, so we left them out rather than substitute campus-wide averages. Quick takeaways: Western Iowa Tech has the lowest average net price; Indian Hills pairs the lowest sticker tuition with a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate; and where schools publish a full program price, Kirkwood and DMACC both come in near $17,600, with Northeast Iowa at $21,226.
| School | Location | In-State Tuition and Fees (per year) | Average Net Price (per year) | Published Total Program Tuition | NCLEX-RN Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | Sioux City | $5,186 | $8,770 | N/A | 89.5% |
| Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge | $5,496 | $9,328 | N/A | 87.6% |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids | $6,176 | $9,705 | $17,633 | 96.5% |
| Southwestern Community College | Creston | $8,064 | $9,871 | N/A | 93.9% |
| North Iowa Area Community College | Mason City | $6,653 | $10,010 | N/A | 94.5% |
| Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa | $5,040 | $10,693 | N/A | 100% |
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny | $5,790 | $11,171 | $17,583 | 93.5% |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar | $6,780 | $11,272 | $21,226 | 98.5% |
| Southeastern Community College | West Burlington | $6,420 | $12,347 | N/A | 92.7% |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | Estherville | $7,392 | $13,933 | N/A | 97.2% |
Iowa by City
Explore other Iowa related topics
ADN or BSN? Picking Your RN Route in Iowa
Both prelicensure paths lead to the same NCLEX-RN exam and the same Iowa RN license. The main differences are time, cost, and how far the degree carries you later. Becoming an RN in Iowa takes about 2 years through an ADN or about 4 years through a BSN.
| Factor | ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) | BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical length | About 2 years | About 4 years |
| Typical cost | Lower overall, with community college tuition for a shorter program | Higher overall, with four years of college or university tuition |
| Where offered | Iowa community colleges, including DMACC, NIACC, Hawkeye, EICC, and the Marshalltown and Ellsworth campuses of Iowa Valley Community College District | Iowa universities and private colleges, such as the University of Iowa, Grand View, Allen College, Briar Cliff, and Mount Mercy |
| NCLEX-RN eligibility | Yes, graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN | Yes, graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN |
| Hiring and advancement outlook | Qualifies you for RN roles, though some employers favor or expect a BSN for advancement | Preferred by Magnet hospitals and required for most graduate nursing programs |
| Iowa transfer pathways | Iowa's Statewide Articulation Plan transfers 64 ADN credit hours (half a BSN), and most receiving programs require an RN license. Iowa State has 3+1 partnerships with 13 community colleges. The University of Iowa's 3+1 agreements allow BSN completion in as few as three semesters. DMACC graduates have a 3+1 pathway with Grand View, and Hawkeye graduates can continue online with Briar Cliff. | Grand View's concurrent-enrollment partnerships at select community colleges can allow BSN completion in as little as 1.5 to 2 semesters after the associate degree. Briar Cliff's online RN-to-BSN takes two years or less. |
| Best fit | Budget-focused students who want to start working sooner, then finish an RN-to-BSN | Students aiming for Magnet hospitals or graduate study |
Faster and Bridge Paths: Accelerated BSN, LPN-to-RN, and RN-to-BSN in Iowa
Bridge programs compress the RN pathway by giving you credit for schooling you already finished. Iowa offers three versions: second degree nursing programs for people who hold a degree in another field, LPN-to-RN advanced standing at community colleges, and online RN-to-BSN completion for licensed nurses with an associate degree.
Yes, Iowa Has Accelerated BSN Options
Several Iowa schools run second-degree or accelerated tracks, and most finish in about a year of full-time study.
- Allen College (Waterloo): 12 months across three consecutive semesters, campus-based, with nursing coursework beginning in August 2026. Applicants need roughly 70 prior general-education credits.
- University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls): a new 12-month, campus-based track launched in August 2026 for bachelor's degree holders; applicants need 70 credits plus all nursing prerequisites.
- Iowa State University (Ames): 15 consecutive months starting each summer, primarily on campus. Admission requires a prior bachelor's degree, 63 prerequisite credits, and CNA certification.
- Mercy College of Health Sciences: 12 months over five terms in a hybrid format, with clinical sites across Des Moines, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Storm Lake. Expect roughly 68 credits and a 3.0 GPA in prior coursework.
- Drake University and St. Luke's College: both offer established 12-month, three-semester accelerated curricula.
Prerequisite lists vary by school, but Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics, Nutrition, and Lifespan Development show up repeatedly. Verify the exact list with each program before enrolling anywhere.
If You're Already Working in Nursing
LPNs should look at advanced-standing or LPN-to-RN bridge programs at Iowa's community colleges, which award credit for practical nursing coursework and licensure. ADN-prepared RNs who want a bachelor's without leaving the bedside are the natural fit for online RN to BSN bridge programs, which are built around working schedules.
Getting in: Typical Admission Requirements at Iowa Nursing Programs
Is it hard to get into nursing school in Iowa? It depends on how a program admits students. The University of Iowa shows both models: a direct-admission route for strong high school applicants and a competitive standard route for everyone else.
- Admission modelFirst-year University of Iowa applicants who list nursing as their intended major can earn direct admission. Others apply through standard admission, which is competitive.
- Minimum GPADirect admission requires a 3.80 cumulative GPA, weighted or unweighted. Standard admission requires at least a 3.0, but that minimum does not guarantee a seat.
- Test scoresDirect admission requires an ACT of 24 for Iowa residents (26 for nonresidents) or an SAT of 1160 (1230 for nonresidents). Scores are not superscored, and no nursing entrance exam is required.
- Prerequisite sciencesStandard-admission students must finish two chemistry courses, a biology course and physics before starting the major. Physics can be a year of high school physics or a college course.
- Other programsCommunity college ADN programs and private BSN colleges set their own rules. Ask each school about GPA cutoffs, TEAS or HESI A2 scores, CNA certification, background checks, immunizations and any waitlist.
What Iowa RNs Earn
Iowa employs about 34,420 registered nurses, and half of them earn more than the statewide median.
Five Steps From Nursing Graduate to Licensed Iowa RN
Licensure in Iowa runs on two parallel tracks: your application with the Iowa Board of Nursing and your NCLEX-RN registration with Pearson VUE. The Board does not promise a fixed timeline, so plan for several weeks, and possibly up to 8, once all your materials are in.
Iowa Board of Nursing and the Multistate License
RN Pay Across Iowa Metros: Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and More
Metro-level wage figures for Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and other Iowa areas are not available in the latest federal wage data, so the table below shows statewide pay for licensed RNs and related nursing roles. These are occupation-wide wages for working nurses, not earnings for graduates of any particular school. Iowa's roughly 34,420 RNs earn a median of $78,630, and the middle half earn between $68,290 and $85,940. Nurse practitioners, a common next step after a BSN and graduate study, reach a median of $130,160. Looking ahead, Iowa Workforce Development classifies RNs as a rapid-growth occupation with numerous job openings and projects RN employment to rise from 37,010 in 2024 to 40,415 in 2034, a 9.2% increase. It puts annual openings at about 1,090, though its own growth and turnover components add up to closer to 1,170.
| Occupation | Iowa Employment | 25th Percentile Wage | Median Annual Wage | 75th Percentile Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 34,420 | $68,290 | $78,630 | $85,940 | $80,540 |
| Nurse Practitioners | 3,240 | $122,720 | $130,160 | $141,940 | $136,940 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | 770 | $61,360 | $77,360 | $80,080 | $78,050 |
More Iowa RN Programs Worth a Look
Not every solid Iowa nursing program lands in the ranked list above, so this directory rounds out the picture with additional ADN and BSN options around the state. Entries are grouped by region and note the city, degree level, and delivery format for each, along with an average net price where one is available. Treat these as starting points for your own comparison rather than a second ranking.
Northwest Iowa
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Nursing - ADN | AAS
- Bachelor of Nursing
- RN to BSN (Registered Nursing)
- Nursing (BSN)
- Accelerated BSN (second degree)
- Associate of Science in Registered Nursing (ASN)
Northeast Iowa
- Nursing Major
- Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Central Iowa
- Associate Degree Nursing (Hospital)
- Associate Degree Nursing (Physician)
- Associate Degree Nursing (Pediatric)
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Nursing, AAS
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate of Science in Nursing
- Nursing BSN
Southeast Iowa
- Associate Degree Nursing - AAS
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Southwest Iowa
- Associate Degree Nursing