Iowa RN-BSN Programs: Affordable & Fast Options for 2025

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Choose an Online RN to BSN in Iowa that matches your career goals! Use our IA state listings to compare CCNE- and ACEN-accredited options. Explore rankings of the best and cheapest Online RN to BSN programs in Iowa. Apply for Iowa nursing scholarships and healthcare tuition discounts. And find answers to FAQs, including details on standard prerequisites.

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Iowa

1. University of Iowa

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 32
Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 5 Semesters (Part-Time)
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 96.60%

UI fully deserves its #1 spot! The College of Nursing is stacked with quality markers, including excellent NCLEX pass rates, top-ranked graduate programs, and a tight relationship with UI Hospitals & Clinics— one of the largest teaching and research hospitals in the country. The Online RN to BSN gets rave reviews and it’s strong on real-world elements. The curriculum includes credits in Human Genetics, as well as unique clinical practicums and a quality improvement project.

Note: Current community college students should check out the RN to BSN 3+1 agreements. Aspiring NPs & nurse leaders might wish to consider the Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) RN-DNP pathway.

2. Northwestern College

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Length: 12 Months (Full-Time); Up to 2 Years (Part-Time)
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 100%

Searching for a faith-based program from a Christian school? Look no further than Northwestern’s Online RN to BSN. You’ll be able to take a course in Promoting Shalom with Diverse Populations and complete a capstone project that focuses on understanding biblical shalom (health and wholeness) in the context of nursing. In addition to posting superb NCLEX pass rates, the Department of Nursing has a college chapter of the Nurses Christian Fellowship (NCF). And nursing graduates often find work in places like the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Sanford USD Medical Center and Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, and Unity Point Health-St. Luke’s in Sioux City.

3. Mount Mercy University

Program: Online RN-BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Length: 18-24 Months
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes
NCLEX Pass Rates: 94.52%

MMU is a worthy addition to our Best Iowa rankings. The Martin-Herold College of Nursing & Health (MHCNH) has created a 100% Online RN-BSN that’s big on practical learning. Nurses from local hospitals and agencies often serve as professors. Coursework includes group projects. And students conduct presentations of evidence-based nursing interventions. We give MHCNH extra props for achieving solid NCLEX pass rates and fostering great connections to local hospitals (e.g. Mercy Medical Center, UnityPoint Health–St. Luke’s Hospital, etc.). Learn if you’re eligible for the 10% tuition discount for employees of partner organizations.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Iowa

Tuition prices for Iowa Online RN to BSN programs will depend on the school. Top-ranked options like UI tend to be in the $15,000-$17,000 range. For our Cheapest Iowa rankings, we’ve highlighted Online RN to BSN programs that cost ~$10,000. However, you’ll find cheaper options in our rankings of the Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. Northwestern College

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
NCLEX Pass Rates: 100%

With 30 credits, the total tuition cost for Northwestern’s 100% Online RN to BSN is a hair above $10,000. Just keep in mind that you will have to budget for additional per semester online program fees and a one-off graduation fee.

2. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 26
Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
NCLEX Pass Rates: 78.19%

MCHS is affordable thanks to special Mercy College PLUS tuition prices. Students in the Online RN to BSN are charged a fixed, per semester tuition rate with no additional fees. That means you’ll only be paying $200 more than Northwestern if you finish in 12 months/4 quarters.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Iowa

To appear in our Fastest rankings, schools had to offer Online RN to BSN pathways that took less than 3 semesters/1 year to complete on a full-time schedule. We didn’t find any programs in Iowa that met these criteria. However, there are alternatives! Check out our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs to learn about self-paced and 2-semester options.

RN to BSN Scholarships in Iowa

Statewide Scholarships for Iowa RN to BSN Students

Iowa Nursing Organization Scholarships

Start by applying for Iowa Nurses Foundation (INF) Scholarships. Many are open to RN-BSN students. Once you’ve filled in the INF form, you can look into:

Iowa Hospital & Healthcare Foundation Scholarships

You might even qualify for specific Iowa healthcare foundation awards. Here are just a few examples:

Iowa Community Foundation Scholarships

We also urge you to find your local Community Foundation in Iowa and ask them about scholarship opportunities. Although many CF awards are reserved for recent high school graduates, scholarships do exist for adult & non-traditional learners. Here are just a few examples!

Iowa Healthcare System & University Partnerships

Do you work for an Iowa hospital or healthcare system? Chat to your HR representative about your education plans. You may be eligible for tuition reimbursement, loan forgiveness, tuition discounts, and more. For example:

Mount Mercy University offers a 10% tuition discount to employees of partner organizations.
Mercy College PLUS offers tuition deals to healthcare partners.

University Scholarships for Iowa RN to BSN Students

Internal aid will vary from school to school. For example, big public names like UI and colleges associated with UnityPoint Health often have a lot of nursing awards. If you’re interested in general university scholarships, check that online, upper division students are eligible to apply. Many funds will be reserved for “traditional” 4-year undergraduates.

Briar Cliff University

Briar Cliff Scholarships

Grand View University

Mercy College of Health Sciences

Mount Mercy University

Northwestern College

St. Luke’s College UnityPoint Health

St. Luke’s Scholarships

University of Iowa

Upper Iowa University

UIU Scholarships

William Penn University

WPU Scholarships

RN to BSN Requirements in Iowa

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. That means Iowa universities will expect you to have—or be in the process of earning—an RN license. If you’re still waiting to sit the NCLEX exam, contact the RN to BSN program coordinator. Some schools may be willing to grant you conditional acceptance.

Have a question about state licensure? Visit the website for the Iowa Board of Nursing.
While you are there, you might want to check out recent NCLEX Pass Rates for Iowa schools. These statistics only apply to pre-licensure BSN programs, but they’re always a useful quality benchmark. Avoid any schools with terrible numbers!

State Authorization: Do you live outside of Iowa? Before you start filling out applications, check that you’re eligible to apply. In our research, we noticed that:

A number of Iowa Online RN to BSN programs could only accept students from specific states.
At William Penn, students must have an Iowa RN license.

Iowa Online RN to BSN Programs: FAQs

Are 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in Iowa Available?

Absolutely. The vast majority of Online RN to BSN programs in our Iowa listings are 100% online, with no on-campus requirements. Having said that, you will still be expected to complete clinical practicums/practice experiences in your home community.

Can I Choose a “No Clinicals” Online RN to BSN in Iowa?

CCNE- and ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN programs always include on-the-ground practicums. Fortunately, these are different to clinicals at the associate or diploma level. BSN-level practicums are typically focused on community health & leadership training. For instance, UI’s Online RN to BSN includes Community & Public Health practicums in Iowa or Swaziland and a quality improvement project in an Iowa student’s place of employment.

Do I Need Statistics to Apply for Iowa Online RN to BSN Programs?

Probably. We saw it listed over and over again as a General Education (GE) prerequisite in Iowa Online RN to BSN programs (e.g. UI, MCHS, Grand View, etc.). Christian schools like Northwestern College may also have a religion prerequisite.

But check the curriculum & admissions links in our listings. At schools like Briar Cliff, you may be able to take statistics as a co-requisite (i.e. while you’re completing other RN to BSN courses).

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in Iowa?

If you need a BSN for employment purposes, you might want to consider Graceland’s Online RN to BSN to MSN pathway (Graceland has an Iowa campus and a Missouri campus). Students in Graceland’s program are not required to take two BSN courses that they later take at the MSN level. They will also have unimpeded matriculation into the MSN.

Remember, too, that some standard Online RN to BSN programs will permit you to substitute MSN-level courses for BSN-level credits.