Board-reported · 2025

NCLEX Pass Rates — Iowa Nursing Schools (2025)

As of 2025, 24 Iowa schools reported first-time RN NCLEX pass rates of 68.8–100.0%, per Iowa Board of Nursing — NCSBN 2025 RN NCLEX EOY Report 4. Dataset average 86.8% (national reference 86.7%). Only display-eligible cohorts of 10+ first-time candidates are shown.

Iowa average: 86.8%; +0.1 pts vs national
National: 86.7%; NCSBN 2025
Schools reported: 24; Cohorts of 10 or more
At 90% or higher: 10

Board-reported outcomes

Every Iowa program the board reports, ranked by first-time pass rate. Schools listed on this site link to their profiles.

10 of 24

First-time RN NCLEX pass rates for Iowa, ranked by pass rate. National average 86.7% marked on each bar.
#	School	Credential	Pass rateNational 86.7% marked	N	Status
1	Allen College	—	100.0%	34	Board only
2	Iowa Lakes Community College	—	100.0%	24	On site
3	Luther College	—	100.0%	17	Board only
4	Kirkwood Community College	—	97.4%	78	On site
5	Mt Mercy University	—	96.5%	29	Board only
6	University of Iowa	—	93.8%	97	Board only
7	Des Moines Area Community College	—	93.8%	129	On site
8	Southeastern Community College	—	93.3%	30	Board only
9	The University of Dubuque	—	93.3%	15	Board only
10	North Iowa Area Community College	—	91.4%	35	On site
11	Western Iowa Tech Community College	—	89.7%	29	On site
12	Morningside College	—	88.9%	18	Board only
13	Grand View University	—	87.5%	32	Board only
14	Mercy College BSN	—	86.3%	117	Board only
15	Northwest Iowa Community College	—	81.8%	11	Board only
16	Eastern Iowa Community College District	—	81.3%	16	Board only
17	St Ambrose University	—	81.1%	37	Board only
18	Iowa Western Community College	—	80.0%	45	Board only
19	Mercy College	—	80.0%	20	Board only
20	St Lukes College	—	80.0%	20	Board only
21	Iowa Central Community College	—	76.5%	34	Board only
22	Dordt College	—	72.2%	18	Board only
23	Hawkeye Community College	—	70.6%	34	Board only
24	Purdue Global UniversityCedar Rapids	—	68.8%	32	Board only

Source: Iowa Board of Nursing — NCSBN 2025 RN NCLEX EOY Report 4. Last verified Oct 1, 2026.

Programs accepting applications

Compare Iowa ADN and BSN programs

The pre-licensure programs that lead to the NCLEX-RN. Check each school against the board-reported table above.

Next step in Iowa

All nursing programs in IowaEvery accredited Iowa ADN, BSN, and LPN program in one directory, with pass rates where reported.
Fastest nursing programs in IowaAccelerated BSN, LPN-to-RN, and short ADN routes, with program length in months.
Affordable programs in IowaCompare listed tuition in Iowa once you have the pass-rate picture.
Programs for working adults in IowaFlexible online and hybrid tracks for students who need to keep working.
Online nursing programs in IowaDidactic coursework online with local clinicals — same-state authorization still applies.
RN-to-BSN in IowaAlready licensed? Bridge to a BSN without repeating NCLEX prep.

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Iowa programs with strong pass rates you can apply to

On-site listings from our directory with first-time pass rates at or near the top of the table. Board-reported rates above remain the source for licensure outcomes.

Iowa Lakes Community College
100.0% first-time RN
See start dates and apply
Kirkwood Community College
97.4% first-time RN
See start dates and apply
Des Moines Area Community College
93.8% first-time RN
See start dates and apply

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.

What is the average NCLEX pass rate for Iowa nursing schools?

The average NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for schools in Iowa is 86.8%, compared to the national average of 86.7%. Display-eligible school rates in our table range from 68.8% to 100.0%. Source: Iowa Board of Nursing — NCSBN 2025 RN NCLEX EOY Report 4.

How do I find nursing schools with high NCLEX pass rates in Iowa?

Use the board-reported table on this page — 24 Iowa board-reported first-time RN rates from cohorts of 10+ candidates. Compare those rates against the state average (86.8%) and the national reference (86.7%). Small cohorts under 10 candidates are excluded because 100% rates from tiny samples are statistically unreliable.

Which programs are included in the NCLEX outcomes table for Iowa?

The primary table lists 24 board-reported first-time RN NCLEX rates (latest year, N≥10): 5 live-directory schools and 19 board-reported names not in our live directory. A secondary directory section may list programs serving Iowa that also publish a program-level figure — treat board data as authoritative for licensure outcomes.

Compare nursing programs in Iowa

Iowa nursing reference

RN salary data$77,780 average (BLS).Nursing schools Scholarships License requirements Admission requirements How to become a nurse Nursing shortage & outlook For working adults LPN to RN RN to BSN FNP programs PMHNP programs Nurse midwife programs MSN programs DNP programs CRNA programs

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