🌽 Iowa LPN to RN Programs 2026

Complete Guide: Salaries, Programs & Fast ROI

⚡ Quick Facts: Iowa LPN to RN

💰 Iowa LPN vs RN Salary

Iowa LPNs earn $60,528/year while RNs earn $79,000/year—an $18,472 annual increase (31%). Des Moines: LPN $62k-$70k, RN $81k-$91k. Cedar Rapids: LPN $60k-$68k, RN $78k-$88k. Iowa City: LPN $61k-$69k, RN $80k-$90k. Travel RNs: $1,600-$2,200/week.

🎓 Top Iowa LPN to RN Programs

1. Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) – Nursing LPN/RN Ladder

Location: Ankeny & multiple campuses | Duration: 2 years (ladder) | Cost: $10k-$14k

Website: dmacc.edu

Two-year ladder program. Year 1: PN, Year 2: RN. Flexible pathways.

2. Kirkwood Community College – Nursing LPN Transfer

Location: Cedar Rapids | Duration: 15-18 months | Cost: $11k-$15k

Website: kirkwood.edu

LPN/RN A.A.S. Five-semester program. Medical, surgical, geriatric, maternal-child focus.

3. Northwest Iowa Community College – ADN Extended

Location: Sheldon (NW Iowa) | Duration: 12-18 months | Cost: $9k-$12k

Website: nwicc.edu

Extended ADN completion. For PN program graduates. Seamless transition.

4. Iowa Central Community College – ADN

Location: Fort Dodge | Duration: 15-18 months | Cost: $10k-$13k

Website: iowacentral.edu

Fall 2026 application open through March 15, 2026. Schedule a visit.

5. Southwestern Community College – Nursing

Location: Creston (SW Iowa) | Duration: 12-18 months | Cost: $9k-$12k

Website: swcciowa.edu

Applicants must be accepted by Aug 10 into LPN or RN program.

6. Nightingale College – LPN to ASN

Location: Online (Iowa students) | Duration: 12-18 months | Cost: $18k-$24k

Website: nightingale.edu

Online LPN to ASN. Prepares for RN licensure and NCLEX-RN exam.

7. Purdue Global – ASN (Iowa & Maine)

Location: Online (Iowa residents) | Duration: 18-24 months | Cost: $20k-$28k

Website: purdueglobal.edu

Associate of Science in Nursing. Real-world clinical experience in Iowa.

📋 Admission Requirements

Prerequisites: Active IA LPN license, HS diploma/GED, A&P I & II, Micro, Chemistry, English, Psych. TEAS: 60-70%. Additional: Background check, drug screen, immunizations, CPR, health exam.

💵 Financial Aid

Federal: Pell Grant $7,395/year; Loans; Work-Study. Iowa: Iowa Tuition Grant up to $6,000/year. Nursing: HRSA Nurse Corps, hospital scholarships. Employers: $3,000-$7,000/year (UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, University of Iowa Hospitals).

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📈 Career Outlook

RN Growth: 6-9%. Annual Openings: ~3,500 RN positions. Major Employers: UnityPoint Health ($77k-$89k), MercyOne ($76k-$88k), University of Iowa Hospitals ($80k-$92k), Genesis Health System ($74k-$86k). Specialties: ICU ($81k-$96k), ED ($79k-$93k), OR ($80k-$94k).

🎯 Licensing & NCLEX

Process: Graduate → Apply to IA Board → Background check → NCLEX-RN → RN license. Pass Rate: IA 87-90%. Renewal: Every 3 years; 36 CE hours required. eNLC: Yes—practice in 40+ states.

🌟 Why Iowa

Competitive salaries + low cost of living: Your $79k goes far. eNLC: 40+ states. Affordable education: $9k-$15k for ADN. Quality of life: Safe communities, excellent schools, affordable housing. Career growth: Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City.

💼 ROI Analysis

Investment: ADN $12k avg; Books $1k; NCLEX $400; Licensing $150 = Total $13,550. Return: $18,472/year. Break-Even: 9 months. Lifetime: $738,880 over 40 years.

🚀 Next Steps

Now: Research programs, assess prerequisites. 3-6 months: Complete courses, take TEAS, apply for aid. Apply: 2-4 programs. Post-grad: NCLEX review, pass exam, apply RN jobs.

🎓 Ready to Advance Your Iowa Nursing Career?

ROI: 9 months. Lifetime gain: $738,880+.

Explore Iowa LPN-to-RN Programs

📞 Iowa Board of Nursing Contact

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