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2023 Best Healthcare Schools in Iowa

30 Schools Ranked
$42,838 Average Earnings
$26,017 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which healthcare program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Healthcare Degree Search has created its Best Healthcare Schools in Iowa ranking. Our analysis looked at 30 schools in Iowa to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for healthcare students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Healthcare Schools in Iowa

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Waldorf University

Forest City, Iowa
$52,483 Average Earnings
$26,000 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Waldorf University to be the best school for healthcare students in Iowa.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,000 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Waldorf graduates make an average of $52,483 annually.

Read full report on Waldorf University

#2

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, Iowa
$50,094 Average Earnings
$27,244 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Ambrose University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Healthcare Schools in Iowa list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,244 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $401, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, St. Ambrose University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,094 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Saint Ambrose University

#3

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
$50,430 Average Earnings
$23,563 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Iowa is a great place for healthcare students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,563 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $379 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Iowa, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,430 during the early years of their career.

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#4

Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa
$42,021 Average Earnings

The excellent programs at Northwestern College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best healthcare schools in Iowa.

Once they receive their degree, NWC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,021 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Northwestern College

#5

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa
$35,469 Average Earnings
$25,246 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Luther College is a great place for healthcare students.

Degree recipients from Luther accumulate an average of $25,246 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $283 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Luther, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,469 during the early years of their career.

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#6

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa
$48,142 Average Earnings
$23,598 Avg Student Debt

Iowa State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in Iowa list.

Degree recipients from Iowa State accumulate an average of $23,598 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $257, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Iowa State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,142 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Iowa State University

$54,336 Average Earnings
$27,121 Avg Student Debt

Graceland University - Lamoni landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

On average, students take out $27,121 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $180.After graduating from Graceland Lamoni, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,336 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Graceland University - Lamoni

#8

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, Iowa
$45,288 Average Earnings
$34,092 Avg Student Debt

Upper Iowa University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

Degree recipients from UIU accumulate an average of $34,092 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from UIU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,288 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Upper Iowa University

$36,089 Average Earnings
$15,283 Avg Student Debt

Northeast Iowa Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #9 on the list.

On average, students take out $15,283 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, NICC graduates make an average of $36,089 annually.

Read full report on Northeast Iowa Community College

#10

Morningside College

Sioux City, Iowa
$51,189 Average Earnings
$26,099 Avg Student Debt

Morningside College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in Iowa ranking.

Degree recipients from Morningside accumulate an average of $26,099 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $208 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Morningside, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,189 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Morningside College

$37,111 Average Earnings
$15,157 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, North Iowa Area Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for healthcare students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,157 in student loans.After graduating from North Iowa Area Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,111 during the early years of their career.

Full North Iowa Area Community College Report

#12

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
$40,810 Average Earnings
$22,939 Avg Student Debt

University of Northern Iowa came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in Iowa ranking.

On average, students take out $22,939 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $172 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UNI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,810 during the early year of their career.

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$48,199 Average Earnings
$15,751 Avg Student Debt

Northwest Iowa Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in Iowa ranking.

Degree recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College accumulate an average of $15,751 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Northwest Iowa Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,199 during the early year of their career.

Full Northwest Iowa Community College Report

$31,155 Average Earnings
$14,142 Avg Student Debt

Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in Iowa ranking.

On average, students take out $14,142 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,155 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Western Iowa Tech Community College

#15

Hawkeye Community College

Waterloo, Iowa
$38,877 Average Earnings
$19,679 Avg Student Debt

Hawkeye Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in Iowa ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,679 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Hawkeye Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,877 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Hawkeye Community College

#16

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, Iowa
$45,158 Average Earnings
$29,114 Avg Student Debt

Mount Mercy University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in Iowa ranking.

On average, students take out $29,114 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $289, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Mount Mercy, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,158 during the early years of their career.

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$37,576 Average Earnings
$16,577 Avg Student Debt

Des Moines Area Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,577 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $64 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, DMACC graduates make an average of $37,576 annually.

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#18

Southeastern Community College

West Burlington, Iowa
$35,945 Average Earnings
$15,654 Avg Student Debt

Southeastern Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

Degree recipients from Southeastern Community College accumulate an average of $15,654 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Southeastern Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,945 during the early years of their career.

Full Southeastern Community College Report

#19

Iowa Central Community College

Fort Dodge, Iowa
$39,705 Average Earnings
$19,575 Avg Student Debt

Iowa Central Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #19 on the list.

Degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College accumulate an average of $19,575 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $62, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Iowa Central Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,705 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Iowa Central Community College

#20

Briar Cliff University

Sioux City, Iowa
$46,310 Average Earnings
$23,123 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #20, Briar Cliff University did quite well on this year’s best schools for healthcare students working.

On average, students take out $23,123 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Briar Cliff graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,310 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Briar Cliff University

#21

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, Iowa
$39,274 Average Earnings
$28,068 Avg Student Debt

University of Dubuque ranked #21 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in Iowa list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,068 in student loans.After graduating from UD, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,274 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Dubuque Report

#22

Iowa Western Community College

Council Bluffs, Iowa
$39,271 Average Earnings
$18,104 Avg Student Debt

Iowa Western Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #22 on the list.

On average, students take out $18,104 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $97 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Iowa Western Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,271 during the early year of their career.

Full Iowa Western Community College Report

#23

Ross College-Quad Cities

Bettendorf, Iowa
$24,727 Average Earnings
$16,246 Avg Student Debt

Ross College-Quad Cities landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

Degree recipients from Ross College-Quad Cities accumulate an average of $16,246 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Ross College-Quad Cities, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $24,727 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#24

Grand View University

Des Moines, Iowa
$39,475 Average Earnings
$29,831 Avg Student Debt

Grand View University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #24 on the list.

On average, students take out $29,831 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $196 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Grand View University graduates make an average of $39,475 annually.

Read More…

#25

Marshalltown Community College

Marshalltown, Iowa
$33,535 Average Earnings
$18,972 Avg Student Debt

Marshalltown Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in Iowa list.

On average, students take out $18,972 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Marshalltown Community College graduates make an average of $33,535 annually.

Read More…

Best Healthcare Schools in the Plains States Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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