10 Best Online Nursing Programs in Iowa 2026

<h3 id="section---1.UniversityOfIowa">1. University of Iowa</h3><p>The University of Iowa in Iowa City offers multiple nursing degrees accessible through online learning. </p><p>Students acquire skills in providing patient care for diverse populations with their Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. </p><p>Its Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) program advances nurses' careers and helps them thrive in the healthcare industry. An online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is also available. </p><h3 id="section---2.MorningsideUniversity">2. Morningside University</h3><p>Morningside University in Sioux City has many distance learning options, including its Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing geared toward individuals with an associate degree. </p><p>An online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with tracks in direct patient care and transformative leadership is also available, and it is the university's first doctoral program. </p><p><b>It also has an MSN with the following concentrations:</b> </p><ul><li>clinical nurse leader </li><li>family primary care nurse practitioner </li><li>adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner </li></ul><h3 id="section---3.MercyCollegeOfHealthSciences">3. Mercy College of Health Sciences</h3><p>Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines has a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree accessible through online education. </p><p>Registered nurses holding active licenses to practice can enroll. It covers course topics such as holistic nursing and leadership and management theories. </p><p>It is one of the few Iowa online nursing degree programs based on Catholic values, which considers previous nursing education and experience. The cost is $2,679 per semester. </p><h3 id="section---4.MountMercyUniversity">4. Mount Mercy University</h3><p>Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids delivers its online nursing degrees in an on-demand format, making them very flexible and convenient for working professionals. </p><p>Their RN to BSN is highly recognized and is Iowa's oldest bachelor's degree in nursing program. It provides a values-based education and real-world experience and requires a valid RN license to enroll. </p><p><b>Its Master of Science in Nursing offers the following areas of emphasis:</b> </p><ul><li>nurse administration </li><li>health advocacy </li><li>nurse education </li></ul><h3 id="section---5.SaintAmbroseUniversity">5. Saint Ambrose University</h3><p>Saint Ambrose University in Davenport provides high-quality student-centered education and incorporates innovative learning methods in its programs. It offers two bachelor's degrees in nursing via online learning. </p><p>Their Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing is for current LPNs seeking a bachelor's degree to further their education in the field. </p><p>It also has an online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program for individuals who currently hold an RN license. </p><h3 id="section---6.BriarCliffUniversity">6. Briar Cliff University</h3><p>Briar Cliff University in Sioux City presents a Catholic perspective with its online nursing degree programs in Iowa. </p><p>Their Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree prepares students for nurse educator and case manager nurse jobs and can be completed in two years. </p><p>Its Doctor of Nursing Practice takes certified nurse practitioners to the next level of their careers. Students finish this program in about two years, and it requires 480 practicum hours. </p><h3 id="section---7.NorthwesternCollege">7. Northwestern College</h3><p>Northwestern College in Orange City offers a faith-based Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree through online learning. </p><p>This affordable program costs $350 per credit, and students complete it in one year through its accelerated format. It requires a total of 124 credits to graduate. </p><p><b>Examples of courses covered in this Iowa online nursing degree program include:</b> </p><ul><li>nursing science and informatics </li><li>cross-cultural populations </li><li>lifespan health assessment </li><li>nursing leadership </li><li>pathophysiology </li><li>biostatistics </li></ul><h3 id="section---8.St.LukeSCollege">8. St. Luke's College</h3><p>St. Luke's College in Sioux City has an online RN to BSN completion program. This top-ranked degree provides a learner-focused education in a convenient and flexible format. </p><p>It is ideal for registered nurses seeking to advance their careers and obtain management roles. A total of 120 credit hours are required for graduation, and students can enroll in part-time or full-time studies. </p><p><b>Coursework includes topics such as:</b> </p><ul><li>health assessment </li><li>pathophysiology </li><li>leadership in healthcare </li><li>proactive nursing </li></ul><h3 id="section---9.WilliamPennUniversity">9. William Penn University</h3><p>William Penn University in Oskaloosa teaches essential leadership skills and evidence-based practices through its Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. </p><p>Students learn crucial nursing knowledge to succeed in diverse environments within the constantly changing world of healthcare and are prepared to provide holistic patient-centered care. The tuition cost is $483 per credit. </p><p><b>Courses in this online nursing program cover subjects such as:</b> </p><ul><li>community health </li><li>informatics </li><li>pathophysiology </li><li>leadership and management </li></ul><h3 id="section---10.PurdueUniversity">10. Purdue University</h3><p>Purdue University has an online global campus offering an Associate of Science in Nursing for Iowa residents that prepares them for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). </p><p>Students participate in online coursework and then complete their lab and simulation requirements in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, or Council Bluffs, Iowa. </p><p>This associate degree in nursing program requires 116 credits at a cost of $315 per credit. Full-time students complete it in one and a half years. </p><h2 id="section---TypesOfNursingProgramsOfferedOnlineInIowa">Types of Nursing Programs Offered Online in Iowa</h2><p>Different types and levels of credentials are accessible through online nursing programs in Iowa. Many offer choices of specialization areas such as clinical nurse leader or family primary care nurse practitioner. </p><p>These undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees provide the necessary educational requirements to advance the skills and knowledge of nursing professionals at various stages of their careers. </p><p><b>The nursing programs offered online in Iowa include the following types of degrees:</b> </p><ul><li>Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing </li><li>Master of Science in Nursing </li><li>Doctor of Nursing Practice </li></ul><p>With online learning, students can also enroll in <a href="https://learn.org/articles/self_paced_rn_to_bsn.html">self-paced RN to BSN programs</a> and more from other states. </p><h2 id="section---WhatAreTheEducationalRequirementsForANursingDegree">What Are the Educational Requirements for a Nursing Degree?</h2><p><a href="https://learn.org/articles/what_education_do_i_need_to_become_nurse.html">Educational requirements for nurses</a>, specifically for earning an online bachelor's degree in the state of Iowa, include completing about 120 credit hours. For a master's degree, students must finish at least 30 credit hours. </p><p>A Doctor of Nursing Practice requires a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing, a certain number of clinical practice hours, and more. </p><p>These requirements differ per nursing program, and students should check with their chosen school for specifics. </p><h2 id="section---LicensingRequirementsForNursesInIowa">Licensing Requirements for Nurses in Iowa</h2><p>Licensure requirements for nurses in Iowa include meeting the approval of the Iowa Board of Nursing. </p><p>As a starting point, students must graduate from a board-approved RN or LPN program to be considered for a nursing license. Then they must pass the proper National Council Licensure Examination. </p><p>In addition, applicants undergo thorough background and criminal checks to become licensed nurses in Iowa. </p><h2 id="section---StartYourNursingDegreeOnline">Start Your Nursing Degree Online</h2><p>Students have several ways to start an Iowa online nursing degree today and embark on a rewarding career with these many choices of accredited programs accessible through the flexibility and convenience of distance education. Learn more about the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/easiest_rn_to_bsn_online.html">easiest RN to BSN programs online</a> available and how you can start or advance your nursing career today.</p>