2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
For return on investment in registered nursing, no school beat Western Iowa Tech Community College this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Students borrow a median of $22,597 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $63,214 early in their careers. Set against $22,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Iowa Area Community College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,600 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $58,096 early in their careers. Set against $15,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshalltown Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,935. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $61,954. That is a strong return on a $17,935 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kirkwood Community College earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,957 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $64,461. Set against $22,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $24,142 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $56,923. Set against $24,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #6 for value in registered nursing this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,093 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $56,562. Set against $21,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $30,767. Registered Nursing graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $62,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,767 median debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, with out-of-state students paying around $7,770. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $57,546. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $23,292. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $58,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Creston ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Creston. Students from in state pay about $8,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Students borrow a median of $20,300 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $63,505 early in their careers. Set against $20,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #11 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,496 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $59,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Western Community College landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $27,938. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $65,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Lakes Community College landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. Students from in state pay about $7,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,872 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $30,750. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $61,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ellsworth Community College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Ellsworth Community College is a small public school located in the town of Iowa Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Ellsworth Community College earn a median of $58,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Iowa Community College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,650. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,886. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa State University came in at #16 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,495 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Burlington. Students from in state pay about $6,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,288. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $61,159. Set against $22,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Lukes College came in at #18 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, St Lukes College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,335. Students borrow a median of $24,063 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from St Lukes College generally make around $71,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Lukes College admits about 80% of applicants.
Graceland University Lamoni ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. In-state tuition and fees average $19,848. Students borrow a median of $30,754 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered 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. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,811 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $96,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Coe College landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,666. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Coe College earn a median of $67,769 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Coe College admits about 64% of applicants.
Clarke University came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,910. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Clarke University generally make around $84,977. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Briar Cliff University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,642 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $29,918. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $61,105. Set against $29,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand View University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $64,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
William Penn University came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,750. Students borrow a median of $28,341 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $39,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 35 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.
