2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in Iowa. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,597 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $63,214. Set against $22,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $15,600. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $58,096. Set against $15,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshalltown Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,935. Early-career nursing graduates make about $61,954. Set against $17,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at Kirkwood Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,957. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $64,461. That is a strong return on a $22,957 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indian Hills Community College earned it the #5 place for nursing. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Nursing graduates carry a median of $24,142 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $56,923 early in their careers. Set against $24,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,093. Nursing graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $56,562 early in their careers. Set against $21,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #7 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $30,767. Nursing graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $62,338 early in their careers. Set against $30,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. In-state tuition and fees average $6,780, with out-of-state students paying around $7,770. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $57,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #9 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,292. Nursing graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $58,835 early in their careers. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Creston came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,064, compared with $8,316 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,300 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $63,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #11 among the best values for nursing. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,496 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $59,181. That is a strong return on a $19,496 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,938 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Lakes Community College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,392, compared with $7,872 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $61,157. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ellsworth Community College landed the #14 spot for nursing value this year. Ellsworth Community College is a small public school located in the town of Iowa Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,125. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Ellsworth Community College generally make around $58,487. That is a strong return on a $22,125 median debt.
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,886 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $62,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa State University landed the #16 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $23,495. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $53,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Burlington. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Students borrow a median of $22,288 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Southeastern Community College West Burlington earn a median of $61,159 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,288 median debt.
Graceland University Lamoni came in at #18 for value in nursing this year. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. Students from in state pay about $19,848 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $30,754. Nursing graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $97,582 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
St Lukes College landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, St Lukes College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,335 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $24,063. Nursing graduates of St Lukes College earn a median of $71,064 early in their careers. Set against $24,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Iowa landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,811 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $96,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Coe College landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $54,666. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $27,000. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,769. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Clarke University earned the #22 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,910. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Clarke University generally make around $84,977. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Briar Cliff University landed the #23 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,642. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $29,918. Nursing graduates of Briar Cliff University earn a median of $61,105 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,918 median debt.
Grand View University earned the #24 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,762. Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Grand View University generally make around $64,042. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
William Penn University earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,750. Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,341 in student loans. Nursing graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $39,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,341 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in nursing:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
