Accredited nursing programs in Iowa
21 schools in Iowa have at least one nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE: 17 BSN, 5 ADN, 2 LPN, 5 MSN programs. 1 holds both accreditors across their programs. For the bachelor’s degree, 16 of 17 listings are CCNE and 1 are ACEN.
- Bachelor's programs
- 17
- 1 ACEN, 16 CCNE
- Associate programs
- 5
- 5 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Practical programs
- 2
- 2 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Master's programs
- 5
- 0 ACEN, 5 CCNE
Accredited schools in Iowa
| School | City | Type | BSN | ADN | LPN | MSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen College | Waterloo | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Briar Cliff University | Sioux City | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Clarke University | Dubuque | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Coe College | Cedar Rapids | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Dordt University | Sioux Center | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Grand View University | Des Moines | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | Estherville | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Iowa State University | Ames | Public | ACEN | – | – | – |
| Luther College | Decorah | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Mercy College of Health Sciences | Des Moines | Private | CCNE | ACEN | – | – |
| Morningside University | Sioux City | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| North Iowa Area Community College | Mason City | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Northwestern College | Orange City | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Saint Ambrose University | Davenport | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| St Luke's College | Sioux City | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| University of Dubuque | Dubuque | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| University of Iowa | Iowa City | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | Sioux City | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| William Penn University | Oskaloosa | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
Programs listed as accredited in the ACEN directory (opens in a new tab) and the CCNE directory (opens in a new tab), collected November 2026 and matched to schools by name and city. Programs in candidacy are not counted. A dash means no accredited program at that level was matched.
What accreditation means in Iowa
Two separate approvals apply to a nursing program. The Iowa board of nursing approves programs so their graduates can sit the NCLEX. Programmatic accreditation from ACEN or CCNE is voluntary and is judged by a national peer body.
Bachelor's programs are the most common accredited level here, with 17. For bachelor’s degrees, 17 of 19 schools reporting graduates to the federal government matched an accredited program (89%).
Common questions
How many nursing schools in Iowa are accredited?
We matched 21 Iowa schools to at least one accredited nursing program in the ACEN and CCNE directories: 17 BSN, 5 ADN, 2 LPN, 5 MSN. Schools with several programs appear once.
What is the difference between ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN accredits nursing programs at every level, from practical nursing to doctorates. CCNE accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Both are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Do I need an accredited program to become a nurse in Iowa?
Not always. The state board of nursing approves programs for licensure, and that is a separate approval from ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Accreditation still matters for transferring credits, federal and employer tuition benefits, and entry to graduate programs.
Are all Iowa bachelor’s programs accredited?
17 of the 19 Iowa schools that report nursing bachelor’s graduates to the federal government matched an accredited listing. A school that does not match may be new, may be listed under another name, or may lack accreditation, so check the accreditor’s own directory before you apply.