2026 Best Healthcare Schools in Iowa
Looking for the best Healthcare degree programs in Iowa? We have ranked 75 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Healthcare Degree Search reviewed 69 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Healthcare Degree Schools in Iowa
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Waldorf College to be the best Healthcare school in Iowa. Set in Forest City, IA, Waldorf College is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 24% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,978. The median Healthcare program debt is $24,622. Read the full report on Waldorf College
Request Information
Out of the 69 schools in Iowa in this year's ranking, Saint Ambrose University landed the #2 spot. Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit school based in Davenport, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete their Healthcare program here. More on Saint Ambrose University
Request Information
Out of the 69 schools in Iowa in this year's ranking, University Of Iowa landed the #3 spot. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. University Of Iowa Healthcare students take on a median of $24,463 in debt. More on University Of Iowa
Request Information
Out of the 69 schools in Iowa in this year's ranking, Northwestern College Iowa landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Orange City, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Typical Healthcare student debt is $25,415. Read more about Northwestern College Iowa
Request Information
The strong Healthcare programs at Luther College earned it the #5 place in Iowa. Set in Decorah, IA, Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. Luther College Healthcare students take on a median of $26,967 in debt. Read the full report on Luther College
Request Information
Iowa State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Read more about Iowa State University
Request Information
Graceland University Lamoni landed the #7 spot in Iowa this year. Based in Lamoni, IA, Graceland University Lamoni is a private not-for-profit institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,848. Graceland University Lamoni Healthcare students take on a median of $27,509 in debt. More on Graceland University Lamoni
Request Information
Upper Iowa University landed the #8 spot in Iowa this year. Located in Fayette, IA, Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,475. Students borrow a median of $34,059 to complete their Healthcare program here. See the full Upper Iowa University profile
Request Information
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #9 spot in Iowa this year. This public school is set in Calmar, IA. Students from in state pay about $6,780 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,770. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar Healthcare students take on a median of $14,348 in debt. Read more about Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar
Request Information
Morningside College placed #10 among Healthcare schools in Iowa. Based in Sioux City, IA, Morningside College is a private not-for-profit institution. Morningside College posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,519. Graduates carry a median of $27,281 in student loans. More on Morningside College
Request Information
North Iowa Area Community College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Mason City, IA, North Iowa Area Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Typical Healthcare student debt is $12,043. Read more about North Iowa Area Community College
Request Information
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #12 spot in Iowa this year. Set in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. The median Healthcare program debt is $22,635. Read the full report on University Of Northern Iowa
Request Information
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #13 among Healthcare schools in Iowa. Based in Sheldon, IA, Northwest Iowa Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,650. Northwest Iowa Community College Healthcare students take on a median of $12,271 in debt. See the full Northwest Iowa Community College profile
Request Information
Western Iowa Tech Community College placed #14 among Healthcare schools in Iowa. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public school based in Sioux City, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Western Iowa Tech Community College Healthcare students take on a median of $11,886 in debt. Read the full report on Western Iowa Tech Community College
Request Information
Hawkeye Community College placed #15 among Healthcare schools in Iowa. Located in Waterloo, IA, Hawkeye Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Get the full Hawkeye Community College report
Request Information
Mount Mercy University landed the #16 spot in Iowa this year. Located in Cedar Rapids, IA, Mount Mercy University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $40,878. Mount Mercy University Healthcare students take on a median of $27,709 in debt. More on Mount Mercy University
Request Information
Des Moines Area Community College did well this year, earning the #17 position. Des Moines Area Community College is a public school based in Ankeny, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Des Moines Area Community College Healthcare students take on a median of $14,956 in debt. More on Des Moines Area Community College
Request Information
Southeastern Community College West Burlington did well this year, earning the #18 position. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a public school based in West Burlington, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,420, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. The median Healthcare program debt is $16,126. Read more about Southeastern Community College West Burlington
Request Information
Iowa Central Community College landed the #19 spot in Iowa this year. Located in Fort Dodge, IA, Iowa Central Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans. More on Iowa Central Community College
Request Information
Briar Cliff University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Located in Sioux City, IA, Briar Cliff University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,642. Briar Cliff University Healthcare students take on a median of $29,918 in debt. Read the full report on Briar Cliff University
Request Information
University Of Dubuque came in at #21 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dubuque, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. In-state tuition and fees average $42,095. The median Healthcare program debt is $27,204. Get the full University Of Dubuque report
Request Information
Iowa Western Community College landed the #22 spot in Iowa this year. Located in Council Bluffs, IA, Iowa Western Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete their Healthcare program here. Get the full Iowa Western Community College report
Request Information
Brown Mackie College Quad Cities landed the #23 spot in Iowa this year. Brown Mackie College Quad Cities is a private for-profit school based in Davenport, IA. Brown Mackie College Quad Cities Healthcare students take on a median of $11,536 in debt. More on Brown Mackie College Quad Cities
Request Information
Grand View University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in Des Moines, IA, Grand View University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Graduates carry a median of $26,941 in student loans. Read more about Grand View University
Request Information
Marshalltown Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Marshalltown Community College is a public school based in Marshalltown, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Marshalltown Community College Healthcare students take on a median of $11,577 in debt. Read more about Marshalltown Community College
Request InformationRest of the Top 50 Best Healthcare Degree Schools in Iowa
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Kirkwood Community College landed the #26 spot in Iowa this year. Kirkwood Community College is a public school based in Cedar Rapids, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $15,779 to complete their Healthcare program here. Read the full report on Kirkwood Community College
Request Information
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #27 spot in Iowa this year. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a public school based in Davenport, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Read more about Eastern Iowa Community College District
Request Information
Clarke University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Based in Dubuque, IA, Clarke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Clarke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. Students from in state pay about $40,910 in tuition and fees. The median Healthcare program debt is $26,895. See the full Clarke University profile
Request Information
Indian Hills Community College came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Set in Ottumwa, IA, Indian Hills Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Indian Hills Community College Healthcare students take on a median of $15,390 in debt. Read more about Indian Hills Community College
Request Information
Iowa Lakes Community College landed the #30 spot in Iowa this year. Based in Estherville, IA, Iowa Lakes Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,392, with out-of-state students paying around $7,872. Students borrow a median of $20,876 to complete their Healthcare program here. More on Iowa Lakes Community College
Request InformationWilliam Penn University did well this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about William Penn University
Request InformationWartburg Theological Seminary placed #32 among Healthcare schools in Iowa. Get the full Wartburg Theological Seminary report
Request InformationMercy St Lukes School Of Radiologic Technology ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Get the full Mercy St Lukes School Of Radiologic Technology report
Request InformationPalmer College Of Chiropractic Davenport ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Read the full report on Palmer College Of Chiropractic Davenport
Request InformationLa James International College Cedar Falls came in at #35 in this year's ranking. More on La James International College Cedar Falls
Request InformationThe Salon Professional Academy Cedar Falls ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Read the full report on The Salon Professional Academy Cedar Falls
Request InformationLa James International College Ft Dodge landed the #37 spot in Iowa this year. More on La James International College Ft Dodge
Request Information
Coe College
Coe College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. See the full Coe College profile
Request InformationFaust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake landed the #39 spot in Iowa this year. Read the full report on Faust Institute Of Cosmetology Spirit Lake
Request InformationIowa School Of Beauty Sioux City ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. See the full Iowa School Of Beauty Sioux City profile
Request Information
Loras College
Loras College did well this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Loras College
Request InformationFaith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Faith Baptist Bible College And Theological Seminary
Request InformationLa James International College Davenport landed the #43 spot in Iowa this year. Get the full La James International College Davenport report
Request Information
Allen College
Allen College placed #44 among Healthcare schools in Iowa. Read more about Allen College
Request InformationAmerican Hair Academy came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Read more about American Hair Academy
Request InformationE Q School Of Hair Design placed #46 among Healthcare schools in Iowa. Read more about E Q School Of Hair Design
Request Information
St Lukes College
St Lukes College placed #47 among Healthcare schools in Iowa. See the full St Lukes College profile
Request InformationIowa School Of Beauty Des Moines did well this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Iowa School Of Beauty Des Moines report
Request Information
Simpson College
Simpson College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Get the full Simpson College report
Request InformationLa James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology placed #50 among Healthcare schools in Iowa. More on La James College Of Hairstyling And Cosmetology
Request InformationMore Healthcare Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 69 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 75 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
HealthcareDegreeSearch.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© HealthcareDegreeSearch.com – All Rights Reserved.