RN programs in Iowa
20 RN programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free
16 schools offer these RN programs, and Iowa has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.
Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care and teach patients and their families about health conditions. To work as one, you graduate from an approved nursing program (a bachelor's or associate degree in nursing, or a hospital diploma) and pass a licensing exam for your state nursing license.1 In Iowa, 3 of the 20 programs take students without a high school diploma, and 4 are taught partly or fully online.
See the 20 programsHow much do RN programs cost in Iowa?
- Two-year degrees (13 programs)
- $14,746 to $18,060most of them, usually 75 to 90 weeks long
- Bachelor's degrees (7 programs)
- $45,542 to $112,440most of them, usually 61 to 120 weeks long
What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.
In the typical program
- Finished the program
- 71%
- Working 6 months later
- 91%
- Earned a year, estimated
- about $57,000
- Length
- 74 to 93 weeks
Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Iowa may also offer RN programs. How these figures are made
RN programs in Des Moines, Davenport, Cedar Rapids and other Iowa cities
Choosing an area filters the list below. 3 more programs are in 3 other areas, 3 in smaller cities and towns and 1 online.
All 20 RN programs in Iowa approved for WIOA funding
Filters
20 programs
Nursing
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$47,400Price if you pay yourself$18,060Program website, Nursing at Kirkwood Community CollegeMore details about Nursing at Kirkwood Community College
- Finished
- 20%
- Working at 6 months
- 88%
- Earned in a quarter
- $11,855
- Length
- 96 weeks, 20 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $10,442
- Students counted
- 4,059
- a year, estimated
- $47,400
- price
- $18,060
Associate Degree Nursing, AAS
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny
Education and courses
Earned a year, estimated$57,100Price if you pay yourself$15,540Program website, Associate Degree Nursing, AAS at Des Moines Area Community CollegeMore details about Associate Degree Nursing, AAS at Des Moines Area Community College
- Finished
- 57%
- Working at 6 months
- 92%
- Earned in a quarter
- $14,265
- Length
- 80 weeks, 21 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $5,052
- Students counted
- 1,575
- a year, estimated
- $57,100
- price
- $15,540
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Mercy College of Health Sciences
Des Moines
Education and courses
Earned a year, estimated$58,700Price if you pay yourself$37,926Program website, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Mercy College of Health SciencesMore details about Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Mercy College of Health Sciences
- Finished
- 97%
- Working at 6 months
- 83%
- Earned in a quarter
- $14,675
- Length
- 52 weeks, 10 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,086
- Students counted
- 952
- a year, estimated
- $58,700
- price
- $37,926
Nursing
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
Davenport
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$49,100Price if you pay yourself$15,600Program website, Nursing at Eastern Iowa Community CollegesMore details about Nursing at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
- Finished
- 71%
- Working at 6 months
- 83%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,286
- Length
- 88 weeks, 16 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,050
- Students counted
- 914
- a year, estimated
- $49,100
- price
- $15,600
Nursing
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$58,600Price if you pay yourself$161,080Program website, Nursing at Mount Mercy UniversityMore details about Nursing at Mount Mercy University
- Finished
- 71%
- Working at 6 months
- 91%
- Earned in a quarter
- $14,655
- Length
- 120 weeks, 16 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $4,800
- Students counted
- 718
- a year, estimated
- $58,600
- price
- $161,080
Nursing - AAS
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$57,000Price if you pay yourself$14,746Program website, Nursing - AAS at Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeMore details about Nursing - AAS at Western Iowa Tech Community College
- Finished
- 47%
- Working at 6 months
- 85%
- Earned in a quarter
- $14,252
- Length
- 78 weeks, 21 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,988
- Students counted
- 629
- a year, estimated
- $57,000
- price
- $14,746
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Mercy College of Health Sciences
Des Moines
Education and courses
Earned a year, estimated$50,900Price if you pay yourself$77,280Program website, Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Mercy College of Health SciencesMore details about Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Mercy College of Health Sciences
- Finished
- 80%
- Working at 6 months
- 85%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,715
- Length
- 120 weeks, 11 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $3,436
- Students counted
- 604
- a year, estimated
- $50,900
- price
- $77,280
Associate Degree Nursing *ADN.AAS
Northeast Iowa Community College
Calmar
Education and courses
Earned a year, estimated$66,100Price if you pay yourself$17,955Program website, Associate Degree Nursing *ADN.AAS at Northeast Iowa Community CollegeMore details about Associate Degree Nursing *ADN.AAS at Northeast Iowa Community College
- Finished
- 85%
- Working at 6 months
- 94%
- Earned in a quarter
- $16,536
- Length
- 92 weeks, 21 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $3,530
- Students counted
- 508
- a year, estimated
- $66,100
- price
- $17,955
Associate Degree Nursing
Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$55,900Price if you pay yourself$17,472Program website, Associate Degree Nursing at Iowa Central Community CollegeMore details about Associate Degree Nursing at Iowa Central Community College
- Finished
- 64%
- Working at 6 months
- 97%
- Earned in a quarter
- $13,963
- Length
- 75 weeks, 24 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $3,785
- Students counted
- 465
- a year, estimated
- $55,900
- price
- $17,472
Associate of Science in Nursing
St. Luke's College
Sioux City
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$47,100Price if you pay yourself$14,440Program website, Associate of Science in Nursing at St. Luke's CollegeMore details about Associate of Science in Nursing at St. Luke's College
- Finished
- 66%
- Working at 6 months
- 94%
- Earned in a quarter
- $11,769
- Length
- 72 weeks, 25 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,200
- Students counted
- 260
- a year, estimated
- $47,100
- price
- $14,440
Associate of Science in Nursing
Mercy College of Health Sciences
Des Moines
Education and courses
Earned a year, estimated$50,300Price if you pay yourself$58,880Program website, Associate of Science in Nursing at Mercy College of Health SciencesMore details about Associate of Science in Nursing at Mercy College of Health Sciences
- Finished
- 85%
- Working at 6 months
- 91%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,563
- Length
- 90 weeks, 12 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,710
- Students counted
- 248
- a year, estimated
- $50,300
- price
- $58,880
Associate Degree Nursing
Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa
Prerequisite courses
Earned a year, estimated$57,000Price if you pay yourself$26,318Program website, Associate Degree Nursing at Indian Hills Community CollegeMore details about Associate Degree Nursing at Indian Hills Community College
- Finished
- 71%
- Working at 6 months
- 91%
- Earned in a quarter
- $14,246
- Length
- 96 weeks, 12 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 232
- a year, estimated
- $57,000
- price
- $26,318
Associate Degree Nursing (E/MVADN) CIP: 513801.0200 ITSO: 03.02.11.03
Iowa Valley Community College District
Marshalltown
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$60,000Price if you pay yourself$12,3764 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Associate Degree Nursing (E/MVADN) CIP: 513801.0200 ITSO: 03.02.11.03 at Iowa Valley Community College DistrictMore details about Associate Degree Nursing (E/MVADN) CIP: 513801.0200 ITSO: 03.02.11.03 at Iowa Valley Community College District
- Finished
- 83%
- Working at 6 months
- 99%
- Earned in a quarter
- $15,005
- Length
- 44 weeks, 14 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,384
- Students counted
- 224
- a year, estimated
- $60,000
- price
- $12,376
- trained with WIOA funding
- 4
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Basic / Traditional
Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Rock Island, IL
Education and courses
Classes are outside Iowa; Iowa approved the program for its funding.
Earned a year, estimated$54,000Price if you pay yourself$55,425Program website, Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Basic / Traditional at Trinity College of Nursing & Health SciencesMore details about Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Basic / Traditional at Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences
- Finished
- 81%
- Working at 6 months
- 71%
- Earned in a quarter
- $13,489
- Length
- 90 weeks, 20 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $4,591
- Students counted
- 213
- a year, estimated
- $54,000
- price
- $55,425
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
St. Luke's College
Based in Sioux City, IA
Associate's degree
Earned a year, estimated$64,600Price if you pay yourself$8,000Program website, Bachelor of Science in Nursing at St. Luke's CollegeMore details about Bachelor of Science in Nursing at St. Luke's College
- Finished
- 64%
- Working at 6 months
- 94%
- Earned in a quarter
- $16,145
- Length
- 64 weeks, 15 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $200
- Students counted
- 178
- a year, estimated
- $64,600
- price
- $8,000
Associate Degree Nursing
Southwestern Community College
Creston
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$67,500Price if you pay yourself$16,880Program website, Associate Degree Nursing at Southwestern Community CollegeMore details about Associate Degree Nursing at Southwestern Community College
- Finished
- 83%
- Working at 6 months
- 98%
- Earned in a quarter
- $16,864
- Length
- 78 weeks, 25 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $3,227
- Students counted
- 174
- a year, estimated
- $67,500
- price
- $16,880
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Clarke University
Dubuque
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$48,900Price if you pay yourself$147,600Program website, Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Clarke UniversityMore details about Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Clarke University
- Finished
- 66%
- Working at 6 months
- 97%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,216
- Length
- 120 weeks, 16 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $9,720
- Students counted
- 171
- a year, estimated
- $48,900
- price
- $147,600
Associate Degree Nursing
Northwest Iowa Community College
Sheldon
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$64,600Price if you pay yourself$9,640Program website, Associate Degree Nursing at Northwest Iowa Community CollegeMore details about Associate Degree Nursing at Northwest Iowa Community College
- Finished
- 51%
- Working at 6 months
- 85%
- Earned in a quarter
- $16,161
- Length
- 84 weeks, 27 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,359
- Students counted
- 150
- a year, estimated
- $64,600
- price
- $9,640
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Accelerated
Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Rock Island, IL
Bachelor's degree
Classes are outside Iowa; Iowa approved the program for its funding.
Earned a year, estimated$60,200Price if you pay yourself$53,158Program website, Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Accelerated at Trinity College of Nursing & Health SciencesMore details about Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Accelerated at Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences
- Finished
- 93%
- Working at 6 months
- 74%
- Earned in a quarter
- $15,052
- Length
- 58 weeks, 30 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $5,615
- Students counted
- 64
- a year, estimated
- $60,200
- price
- $53,158
Nursing, A.A.S.
North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$18,773Program website, Nursing, A.A.S. at North Iowa Area Community CollegeMore details about Nursing, A.A.S. at North Iowa Area Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 75 weeks, 21 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $5,219
- Students counted
- Not reported
- a year, estimated
- Not reported
- price
- $18,773
No programs match these filters.
How to pay for RN programs in Iowa
WIOA funding can pay for RN programs in Iowa
Every program on this page is approved for WIOA funding: public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It can pay for training for eligible adults, people who lost their job and young people.2People on public assistance, with a low income or lacking basic skills come first, and veterans have priority.3Your state or local area may limit how much WIOA pays and for how long. If a program costs more, a Pell Grant, a scholarship or severance pay can cover the rest.4
Ask at an American Job Center
Eligibility rules apply, and services vary from state to state. Your local American Job Center can tell you whether you qualify. The Department of Labor's page links to the center finder, or call 1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627).5
Financial aid and grants for RN programs
Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67
GI Bill for RN programs
Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8
The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.
Does WIOA pay for job training? Who qualifies and how to apply
Quick facts: RN programs in Iowa
- programs with a price cost under $15,000
- 5 of 20
- lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
- 24th of 37
- other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
- 12 of 29
- RN programs here, against the typical state's 13
- 20 vs 13
State comparisons use the same figures as the RN programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).
Where the Iowa RN program numbers come from
Which Iowa RN programs are on this list?
These are the RN programs Iowa approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Iowa offers.
How Iowa RN program prices are reported
The price is tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported it. "Trained with WIOA funding" on a program counts the people whose training there WIOA paid toward through a training account in program year 2024; the file never gives counts under 3, so a program without the line may still take WIOA students. It does not say how much of the price WIOA covered. Prices under $100 are treated as not reported, because the file holds many blanks entered as $0. Check the current price with the school.
What the graduate results of these programs measure
The figures at the top of this page are the middle program among those that report results: half did better, half did worse. Results describe students who left each program in recent years: the share who finished, the share working in the second quarter after leaving, and the middle earnings of those working in that quarter. States report earnings for that one quarter because they take them from the wage reports employers file every three months. The yearly figure here is that quarter times four, rounded to the nearest $100: an estimate, and an early one, since it is measured about half a year after training. The quarter as reported is under "More details" on each program. Results are withheld for small programs, and they describe past students, so they are no guarantee.
Why do some RN programs say "Not reported"?
Where a school or the state left a field empty, or the Department of Labor withheld it, the page says "Not reported". Nothing here is estimated to fill a gap.
Why the kind of school is left off each program
The file also records whether a school is public, private or nonprofit, but those entries are wrong too often to print next to a school's name, so this page leaves them out.
Other training in Iowa
- CDL training33 programs
- CNA classes25 programs
- Medical assistant training13 programs
- Phlebotomy training11 programs
- Welding classes50 programs
- HVAC training13 programs
- Medical billing and coding training15 programs
- LPN programs12 programs
- EMT classes22 programs
- Electrician training5 programs
- Dental assistant programs11 programs
- Auto mechanic classes19 programs
- Pharmacy technician training10 programs
- Plumbing school3 programs
- CNC machinist training10 programs
- Carpentry classes12 programs
- Heavy equipment operator training2 programs
- Diesel mechanic training8 programs
- Cybersecurity training11 programs
- IT training20 programs
- Project management certification6 programs
Sources for the facts about RN programs in Iowa
Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses
- US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
- US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
- Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
- US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
- US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
- US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List