Most Affordable Nursing Programs in Iowa (2026)

177 of 192 accredited nursing programs in Iowa list total tuition in our 2026 directory — lowest listed cost $8,100 . Average RN wages in Iowa run $77,780 (4.3% RN job growth projected), so community-college ADN and public-university BSN paths often pay back within a few years.

Key takeaways for Iowa tuition

  • Listed tuition ranges from $8,100 to $120,000 total.
  • Compare tuition against the school's board-reported NCLEX pass rate — the cheapest program is not always the best value.

Partner programs in Iowa.

Directory totals below remain the source. These listings are sponsored.

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Compare tuition and financial aid for Iowa nursing programs

All Iowa nursing programs with published tuition, sorted low to high
ProgramDeliveryTuition (total)Duration (months)
American Public University SystemRN-BSNOnline$8,10015
Florida State UniversityRN-BSNOnline$9,00012
University of South FloridaRN-BSNOnline$9,60015
University of Alabama at BirminghamRN-BSNOnline$9,60012
American Public University SystemMSNOnline$9,72024
Ohio State UniversityRN-BSNOnline$9,90012
University of Illinois ChicagoRN-BSNOnline$10,20015
Capella UniversityRN-BSNOnline$10,40018
Arizona State UniversityRN-BSNOnline$10,57015
University of CincinnatiRN-BSNOnline$10,80012
University of Maryland — BaltimoreRN-BSNOnline$11,40015
University of Michigan — FlintRN-BSNOnline$11,52012
Aspen UniversityRN-BSNOnline$11,70016
University of Texas at ArlingtonRN-BSNOnline$11,94012
Michigan State UniversityRN-BSNOnline$12,00015
Keiser UniversityRN-BSNOnline$12,00015
Indiana State UniversityRN-BSNOnline$12,60012
Excelsior UniversityRN-BSNOnline$12,90018
Penn State World CampusRN-BSNOnline$13,20018
National UniversityMSNOnline$13,50024
National UniversityMSNOnline$13,50024
Purdue University GlobalRN-BSNOnline$13,50018
National UniversityRN-BSNOnline$13,50018
Mercy College of Health SciencesRN-BSNOnline$14,00012
Joyce University of Nursing and Health SciencesRN-BSNOnline$14,40018
Excelsior UniversityADNOnline$14,56024
Liberty UniversityRN-BSNOnline$14,82018
Mount Mercy UniversityRN-BSNOnline$15,00012
Allen CollegeRN-BSNOnline$15,00012
Briar Cliff UniversityRN-BSNOnline$15,00012
Herzing UniversityRN-BSNOnline$15,00018
Southern New Hampshire UniversityRN-BSNOnline$15,12015
Maryville UniversityRN-BSNOnline$15,90018
Rasmussen UniversityRN-BSNOnline$16,00018
University of PhoenixRN-BSNOnline$16,20024
Gonzaga UniversityRN-BSNOnline$16,20018
Western Governors UniversityRN-BSNOnline$16,80018
University of CincinnatiMSNOnline$16,92024
University of CincinnatiMSNOnline$16,92024
University of South FloridaMSNOnline$17,28024
National UniversityMSNOnline$18,00030
Western Governors UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Indiana State UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Florida State UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Florida State UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Indiana State UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Western Governors UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Aspen UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Western Governors UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Aspen UniversityMSNOnline$18,00024
Marquette UniversityRN-BSNOnline$18,00018
Arizona State UniversityMSNOnline$18,48018
Arizona State UniversityMSNOnline$18,48018
Grand Canyon UniversityRN-BSNOnline$18,90012
Maryville UniversityMSNOnline$19,08024
Gonzaga UniversityMSNOnline$19,44024
Capella UniversityRN-BSNOnline$19,80024
Liberty UniversityMSNOnline$19,98024
Liberty UniversityMSNOnline$19,98024
Chamberlain UniversityRN-BSNOnline$20,4609
University of Michigan — FlintMSNOnline$20,73624
University of Michigan — FlintMSNOnline$20,73624
University of Michigan — FlintMSNOnline$20,73624
Drexel UniversityRN-BSNOnline$20,85018
Herzing UniversityMSNOnline$21,00024
Herzing UniversityMSNOnline$21,00024
DePaul UniversityRN-BSNOnline$21,00018
Sacred Heart UniversityRN-BSNOnline$21,00018
Michigan State UniversityMSNOnline$21,60024
Excelsior UniversityMSNOnline$21,60024
Mercy College of Health SciencesMSNOnline$22,00024
West Coast UniversityRN-BSNOnline$22,00018
Grand Canyon UniversityMSNOnline$22,05024
Grand Canyon UniversityMSNOnline$22,05024
Grand Canyon UniversityMSNOnline$22,05024
George Washington UniversityRN-BSNOnline$22,50018
Regis CollegeRN-BSNOnline$22,50018
Seton Hall UniversityRN-BSNOnline$22,50018
University of CincinnatiMSNHybrid$22,56036
Indiana State UniversityMSNHybrid$23,00036
Purdue University GlobalMSNOnline$23,62530
Purdue University GlobalMSNOnline$23,62530
Purdue University GlobalMSNOnline$23,62530
University of Texas at ArlingtonMSNOnline$24,12024
University of Texas at ArlingtonMSNOnline$24,12024
University of Texas at ArlingtonMSNOnline$24,12024
Gonzaga UniversityMSNOnline$24,30030
Drexel UniversityMSNOnline$25,02024
Drexel UniversityMSNOnline$25,02024
Maryville UniversityMSNOnline$25,44030
University of Maryland — BaltimoreMSNOnline$25,92024
Liberty UniversityMSNOnline$26,64036
American Public University SystemBSNOnline$27,00036
Michigan State UniversityMSNOnline$27,00030
Capella UniversityMSNOnline$27,00030
Capella UniversityMSNOnline$27,00030
Walden UniversityRN-BSNOnline$27,71024
Penn State World CampusMSNOnline$27,72024
Penn State World CampusMSNOnline$27,72024
Liberty UniversityDNPOnline$28,62036
Aspen UniversityBSNOnline$28,80036
Excelsior UniversityBSNOnline$30,00036
Grand Canyon UniversityDNPOnline$30,00036
Allen CollegeMSNHybrid$30,00030
Grand Canyon UniversityMSNOnline$30,62536
Chamberlain UniversityMSNOnline$30,78024
Chamberlain UniversityMSNOnline$30,78024
Chamberlain UniversityMSNOnline$30,78024
University of Michigan — FlintDNPOnline$31,10436
Drexel UniversityMSNOnline$31,27530
Briar Cliff UniversityMSNHybrid$32,00030
Mount Mercy UniversityMSNHybrid$32,00030
Keiser UniversityMSNOnline$32,00030
St. Ambrose UniversityMSNHybrid$32,00030
Capella UniversityRN-MSNOnline$32,40036
Briar Cliff UniversityMSNHybrid$33,00030
University of CincinnatiDNPHybrid$33,84036
University of PhoenixMSNOnline$34,56024
University of PhoenixMSNOnline$34,56024
University of PhoenixMSNOnline$34,56024
Regis CollegeMSNOnline$35,10024
Western Governors UniversityBSNOnline$35,70036
Maryville UniversityDNPOnline$36,00036
Purdue University GlobalDNPOnline$36,00036
Joyce University of Nursing and Health SciencesMSNOnline$36,00036
Sacred Heart UniversityMSNOnline$36,00024
University of Texas at ArlingtonDNPOnline$36,12036
Penn State World CampusDNPOnline$36,96036
Gonzaga UniversityDNPOnline$38,88036
Michigan State UniversityDNPOnline$39,60036
Loyola University ChicagoMSNOnline$39,60024
Chamberlain UniversityMSNOnline$40,02036
Walden UniversityMSNOnline$40,48830
Walden UniversityMSNOnline$40,48830
Mercy College of Health SciencesBSNOn Campus$41,08016
Arizona State UniversityDNPHybrid$42,00036
West Coast UniversityMSNOnline$42,00036
Seton Hall UniversityMSNOnline$42,00024
DePaul UniversityMSNOnline$42,00024
Allen CollegeBSNOn Campus$45,00016
National UniversityBSNOnline$45,00036
Chamberlain UniversityDNPOnline$45,00036
Drexel UniversityDNPOnline$45,00036
Sacred Heart UniversityMSNOnline$46,00030
University of PhoenixMSNOnline$46,08036
Capella UniversityDNPOnline$46,80042
Regis CollegeMSNOnline$46,80030
Mount Mercy UniversityBSNOn Campus$48,00016
St. Ambrose UniversityBSNOn Campus$48,00016
Walden UniversityMSNOnline$48,15036
Southern New Hampshire UniversityBSNOnline$50,40048
Simmons UniversityMSNOnline$50,40024
Walden UniversityDNPOnline$51,00048
University of PhoenixDNPOnline$51,84036
Joyce University of Nursing and Health SciencesBSNOnline$52,00036
George Washington UniversityMSNOnline$52,20024
George Washington UniversityMSNOnline$52,20024
Johns Hopkins UniversityMSNOnline$54,00024
Allen CollegeDNPHybrid$55,00042
Mount Mercy UniversityDNPHybrid$55,00042
Johns Hopkins UniversityMSNOnline$58,00024
Allen CollegeBSNOn Campus$60,00048
Regis CollegeDNPOnline$60,00036
Sacred Heart UniversityDNPOnline$65,00036
Simmons UniversityMSNOnline$67,20036
Mercy College of Health SciencesBSNOn Campus$70,00048
University of PennsylvaniaMSNOnline$72,00024
Walden UniversityPhDOnline$72,00060
George Washington UniversityMSNOnline$72,50036
Simmons UniversityDNPOnline$75,00036
George Washington UniversityDNPOnline$78,00036
University of PennsylvaniaMSNOnline$86,00024
Johns Hopkins UniversityDNPOnline$88,00036
University of PennsylvaniaDNPOnline$108,00036
Briar Cliff UniversityBSNOn Campus$110,00048
Mount Mercy UniversityBSNOn Campus$118,00048
St. Ambrose UniversityBSNOn Campus$120,00048

Source: MyNursingSchools program directory totals as of 2026-08-21. Programs without published tuition are omitted. Net price after aid may differ — confirm with each school.

💡 Value check: At an average RN salary of $77,780/year in Iowa, a program that gets you licensed and working typically pays for itself within 2 months — even when it isn’t the cheapest option on the list.

Getting the Best Value from Nursing School in Iowa

Affordable is not the same as cheapest. The best-value program in Iowa is the one with the lowest cost per outcome — weigh tuition against the NCLEX first-time pass rate and job placement, not sticker price alone. A public in-state BSN or a community-college ADN with a strong pass rate often beats a rock-bottom program that graduates fewer of its students.

Net price is what matters, so stack aid against the sticker. Pell Grants, Iowa state nursing scholarships, and hospital tuition reimbursement (RN-to-BSN is frequently employer-funded) move the real cost far more than a small difference in listed tuition. File the FAFSA before you enroll to see your true out-of-pocket number.

Measure payback, not price. At Iowa’s average RN wage a well-chosen program typically pays for itself within a few years — so a mid-priced degree that gets you licensed and hired quickly can be the better financial decision than the cheapest option on the page.

Career Outlook for Iowa Nurses

Affordability is only half the equation — demand and earning ceiling determine how quickly a program pays for itself.

Job Growth (2022–2032)
4.3%

At or near the 6% national average. Demand remains stable across most specialties.

Avg Hourly Rate
$37.39

Per hour (BLS). Overtime and travel nursing contracts pay a significant premium above this base.

NP Practice Authority
full

Iowa grants full independent practice to NPs — no physician oversight required, maximizing earning potential for MSN/DNP graduates.

Job growth and hourly rate: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. NP practice authority: AANP 2024.

Already licensed? Next credentials for Iowa nurses

Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in Iowa often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving Iowa include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. Iowa grants nurse practitioners full practice authority: NPs can evaluate patients, diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications — including controlled substances — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing, without a required physician collaboration agreement.

compare Iowa nursing tuitionIowa NCLEX pass ratesNursing scholarships in IowaFastest Programs in IowaAccelerated BSN in IowaBest Schools in IowaAll programs in IowaOnline Programs in IowaPrograms for working adults in IowaRN-to-BSN in IowaFNP programs in IowaNursing Salary in Iowa
How much does nursing school cost in Iowa?
Across 177 Iowa nursing programs with listed total tuition, the lowest listed total is $8,100 as of 2026-08-21. RN-to-BSN bridge options are often among the lower totals; traditional BSN and graduate pathways cost more. Confirm net price with each school after aid. Source: MyNursingSchools program directory as of 2026-08-21. Last verified 2026-08-21.
What are the cheapest nursing schools in Iowa with financial aid?
The lowest listed total tuition among Iowa programs in our directory is $8,100. Accredited programs can qualify for federal aid through FAFSA. Ask each school for a net-price estimate rather than relying on a generic aid flag. Source: U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); MyNursingSchools program directory as of 2026-08-21. Last verified 2026-08-21.
Are affordable nursing programs in Iowa as good as expensive ones?
Price is not a quality ranking. Compare first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates — NCSBN reported 86.7% nationally in 2025 (91.2% in 2024). ACEN or CCNE accreditation is the floor for federal aid and licensure eligibility, regardless of sticker price. Source: NCSBN, 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics (first-time, U.S.-educated candidates). Last verified 2026-08-26.
How strong is the nursing job market in Iowa?
Registered nurses in Iowa earn an average of $77,780 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024). National median RN pay is $93,600 (May 2024). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Last verified 2026-07-12.
What are the prerequisite requirements for nursing programs in Iowa?
Prerequisite and admissions thresholds for Iowa nursing programs vary by school. Among 69 programs with a published minimum GPA, cutoffs range from 2.00 to 3.80. Confirm current requirements with each program; fields without verified data are omitted here. Source: MyNursingSchools program directory admissions records as of 2026-08-21. Last verified 2026-08-21.

Compare nursing programs in Iowa

Iowa nursing reference

NCLEX pass ratesRN salary data$77,780 average (BLS).Nursing schoolsScholarshipsLicense requirementsAdmission requirementsHow to become a nurseNursing shortage & outlookFor working adultsLPN to RNRN to BSNFNP programsPMHNP programsNurse midwife programsMSN programsDNP programsCRNA programs

Nearby States

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