A public college or university is an institution primarily supported by state funds and governed by state-appointed boards and trustees. There are many benefits to attending a public college or university. For example, if you attend a public institution in your home state, you will earn a big break on tuition costs. As a state resident, you'll also have a higher chance of admittance than out-of-state applicants. Public universities and colleges tend to be larger and therefore have more program options than private institutions.

With so many excellent public nursing schools in Iowa, there’s no need to travel far to receive a top-notch nursing education.

The University of Iowa is the state’s flagship university and the largest public educational institution in the state. The school offers twenty different nursing programs spanning the baccalaureate, graduate certificate, master's, and doctoral levels. Students at the University of Iowa can choose from diverse specializations including family practice nursing, psychiatric and mental health nursing, and nurse anesthesia.

Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) is Iowa’s largest two-year college, with six campuses throughout the Des Moines metropolitan area. The full-service Urban campus, specializing in the arts and sciences, is the jewel in DMACC’s crown and much praised for its facilities.

Favorite Healthcare Staffing and MedPro Staffing are two of the largest medical staffing agencies in Iowa. Both firms are in constant recruitment, seeking placements in hospitals and private care facilities around the state.

With so many fantastic public education options so close to home, there’s no need to delay your nursing career. To get you started, we’ve compiled this list of the top public nursing schools in Iowa.

Cedar Rapids

Kirkwood Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Purdue University Global - Cedar Rapids
  • Associate of Science in Nursing
School City Programs offered
Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Purdue University Global - Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids
  • Associate of Science in Nursing

Des Moines

Des Moines Area Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Purdue University Global - Des Moines
  • Associate of Science in Nursing
School City Programs offered
Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Purdue University Global - Des Moines Urbandale
  • Associate of Science in Nursing

Other Iowa cities

Eastern Iowa Community College District
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Hawkeye Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Indian Hills Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Iowa Central Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Iowa Lakes Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Iowa Valley Community College District
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Iowa Western Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
North Iowa Area Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Northeast Iowa Community College District
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Northwest Iowa Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Southeastern Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Southwestern Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
University of Iowa
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Anesthesia Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Baccalaureate PhD
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Western Iowa Tech Community College
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
School City Programs offered
Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Hawkeye Community College Waterloo
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Iowa Valley Community College District Marshalltown
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
North Iowa Area Community College Mason City
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Northeast Iowa Community College District Calmar
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Southeastern Community College West Burlington
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Southwestern Community College Creston
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
University of Iowa Iowa City
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Anesthesia Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate DNP
  • Post-Baccalaureate PhD
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Category: 
Iowa