Nursing Schools in Iowa
17 Iowa schools offer Nursing. Average graduate earnings run 12% below the national average — something worth factoring in alongside tuition, location, and program fit.
Nursing Training in Iowa: What You Need to Know
Local program supply
Iowa has 17 schools offering Nursing programs, concentrated in 2 cities including {'city': 'Sioux City', 'city_slug': 'sioux-city', 'count': 1, 'avg_earn': 63214.0}, {'city': 'Davenport', 'city_slug': 'davenport', 'count': 1, 'avg_earn': 62338.0}. Most students attend within 60 miles of home — local choice matters more than national rankings.
Earnings vs. national
Nursing graduates in Iowa earn approximately $60,882/year on average, which is -12% below the national average for this trade. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Iowa-specific licensing
Most skilled trades require a state-issued license or certification before you can work independently. Requirements vary substantially by state. Verify Iowa-specific licensing through the relevant state board (Department of Labor, Contractors Board, or trade-specific licensing body). Apprenticeship hours often count toward licensure.
How Iowa compares
Average TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing programs in Iowa is 78/100. Cost of living, wage levels, and program supply all vary by state — see the school list below ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score, which combines earnings, debt, and job-market demand.
Nursing Programs in Iowa
All 17 Iowa schools offering Nursing, ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click a school to see full earnings projections and program details.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IA |
77 |
| 2 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA |
79 |
| 3 | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City, IA |
80 |
| 4 | Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport, IA |
81 |
| 5 | Marshalltown Community College Marshalltown, IA |
80 |
| 6 | Southeastern Community College West Burlington, IA |
77 |
| 7 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA |
78 |
| 8 | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IA |
76 |
| 9 | Ellsworth Community College Iowa Falls, IA |
78 |
| 10 | North Iowa Area Community College Mason City, IA |
77 |
| 11 | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar, IA |
83 |
| 12 | Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IA |
79 |
| 13 | Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge, IA |
78 |
| 14 | Southwestern Community College Creston, IA |
76 |
| 15 | Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville, IA |
75 |
| 16 | Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon, IA |
76 |
| 17 | Mercy College of Health Sciences Des Moines, IA |
69 |
Where Nursing Programs Cluster in Iowa
Cities with the most Nursing programs — useful if you want to minimize commute or relocate within state.
| City | Schools | Avg Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA | 1 | $63,214/yr |
| Davenport, IA | 1 | $62,338/yr |
Compare Nursing in Other States
Considering a nearby state? Here's how Iowa compares to others with strong Nursing offerings.