LPN programs in Iowa
14 LPN (licensed practical nurse) programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free
14 schools offer these practical nursing programs, and Iowa has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.
Licensed practical and vocational nurses (LPNs and LVNs) give basic medical care to patients who are ill, injured or recovering. Most finish a state-approved certificate or diploma program that takes about a year, then pass an exam to become licensed.1 The exam is the NCLEX-PN from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, which the nursing boards of every state, DC and four US territories use in deciding who gets a license.2
In Iowa, 1 of the 14 programs takes students without a high school diploma, 6 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 7 ask for earlier courses first.
All 14 are the same kind of program: practical nursing (LPN).
See the 14 programsHow much do LPN programs cost in Iowa?
$8,375 to $10,231 is what most LPN programs in Iowa cost if you pay yourself
That is the middle half of the 14 programs with a price. All of them: $4,995 to $15,873
In the typical program
- Finished the program
- 55%
- Working 6 months later
- 87%
- Earned a year, estimated
- about $22,600
- Length
- 38 to 47 weeks
Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Iowa may also offer LPN programs. How these figures are made
All 14 LPN programs in Iowa approved for WIOA funding
Filters
14 programs
Practical Nursing, Diploma
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny
Accredited school
Education and courses
Earned a year, estimated$17,400Price if you pay yourself$4,995Program website, Practical Nursing, Diploma at Des Moines Area Community CollegeMore details about Practical Nursing, Diploma at Des Moines Area Community College
- Finished
- 78%
- Working at 6 months
- 84%
- Earned in a quarter
- $4,358
- Length
- 42 weeks, 14 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $3,051
- Students counted
- 715
- Earned a year, estimated
- $17,400
- Price if you pay yourself
- $4,995
Practical Nursing *PN.DP
Northeast Iowa Community College
Calmar
Accredited school
Prerequisite courses
Earned a year, estimated$20,400Price if you pay yourself$10,801Program website, Practical Nursing *PN.DP at Northeast Iowa Community CollegeMore details about Practical Nursing *PN.DP at Northeast Iowa Community College
- Finished
- 43%
- Working at 6 months
- 89%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,091
- Length
- 48 weeks, 20 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,168
- Students counted
- 553
- Earned a year, estimated
- $20,400
- Price if you pay yourself
- $10,801
Practical Nursing
Southeastern Community College
West Burlington
Accredited school
Education and courses
Earned a year, estimated$20,600Price if you pay yourself$9,625Program website, Practical Nursing at Southeastern Community CollegeMore details about Practical Nursing at Southeastern Community College
- Finished
- 51%
- Working at 6 months
- 87%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,151
- Length
- 40 weeks, 29 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,279
- Students counted
- 378
- Earned a year, estimated
- $20,600
- Price if you pay yourself
- $9,625
Practical Nursing
Northwest Iowa Community College
Sheldon
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$22,600Price if you pay yourself$8,237Program website, Practical Nursing at Northwest Iowa Community CollegeMore details about Practical Nursing at Northwest Iowa Community College
- Finished
- 55%
- Working at 6 months
- 87%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,662
- Length
- 48 weeks, 23 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,258
- Students counted
- 265
- Earned a year, estimated
- $22,600
- Price if you pay yourself
- $8,237
Practical Nursing
Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa
Accredited school
Prerequisite courses
Earned a year, estimated$28,900Price if you pay yourself$15,873Program website, Practical Nursing at Indian Hills Community CollegeMore details about Practical Nursing at Indian Hills Community College
- Finished
- 48%
- Working at 6 months
- 87%
- Earned in a quarter
- $7,225
- Length
- 48 weeks, 12 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 254
- Earned a year, estimated
- $28,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $15,873
Practical Nursing
Southwestern Community College
Creston
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$22,600Price if you pay yourself$7,410Program website, Practical Nursing at Southwestern Community CollegeMore details about Practical Nursing at Southwestern Community College
- Finished
- 61%
- Working at 6 months
- 88%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,641
- Length
- 39 weeks, 26 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,557
- Students counted
- 247
- Earned a year, estimated
- $22,600
- Price if you pay yourself
- $7,410
Practical Nursing
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
Davenport
Accredited school
Prerequisite courses
Earned a year, estimated$33,100Price if you pay yourself$8,789Program website, Practical Nursing at Eastern Iowa Community CollegesMore details about Practical Nursing at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
- Finished
- 58%
- Working at 6 months
- 93%
- Earned in a quarter
- $8,273
- Length
- 40 weeks, 16 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,840
- Students counted
- 215
- Earned a year, estimated
- $33,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $8,789
Practical Nursing - Diploma
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$22,400Price if you pay yourself$7,272Program website, Practical Nursing - Diploma at Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeMore details about Practical Nursing - Diploma at Western Iowa Tech Community College
- Finished
- 33%
- Working at 6 months
- 87%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,600
- Length
- 32 weeks, 25 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $794
- Students counted
- 144
- Earned a year, estimated
- $22,400
- Price if you pay yourself
- $7,272
Practical Nursing
Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$28,400Price if you pay yourself$9,200Program website, Practical Nursing at Iowa Central Community CollegeMore details about Practical Nursing at Iowa Central Community College
- Finished
- 47%
- Working at 6 months
- 87%
- Earned in a quarter
- $7,096
- Length
- 45 weeks, 15 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,185
- Students counted
- 140
- Earned a year, estimated
- $28,400
- Price if you pay yourself
- $9,200
Practical Nursing (E/MVLPN) CIP: 513901.0100 ITSO: 03.02.11.03
Iowa Valley Community College District
Marshalltown
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$21,300Price if you pay yourself$10,992Program website, Practical Nursing (E/MVLPN) CIP: 513901.0100 ITSO: 03.02.11.03 at Iowa Valley Community College DistrictMore details about Practical Nursing (E/MVLPN) CIP: 513901.0100 ITSO: 03.02.11.03 at Iowa Valley Community College District
- Finished
- 76%
- Working at 6 months
- 84%
- Earned in a quarter
- $5,315
- Length
- 37 weeks, 24 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,548
- Students counted
- 110
- Earned a year, estimated
- $21,300
- Price if you pay yourself
- $10,992
Practical Nursing Diploma
North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City
Accredited school
Education and courses
Earned a year, estimated$49,700Price if you pay yourself$9,706Program website, Practical Nursing Diploma at North Iowa Area Community CollegeMore details about Practical Nursing Diploma at North Iowa Area Community College
- Finished
- 60%
- Working at 6 months
- 98%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,426
- Length
- 38 weeks, 26 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,801
- Students counted
- 94
- Earned a year, estimated
- $49,700
- Price if you pay yourself
- $9,706
Practical Nursing
Iowa Lakes Community College
Estherville
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$26,100Price if you pay yourself$10,402Program website, Practical Nursing at Iowa Lakes Community CollegeMore details about Practical Nursing at Iowa Lakes Community College
- Finished
- 54%
- Working at 6 months
- 90%
- Earned in a quarter
- $6,532
- Length
- 42 weeks, 16 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 69
- Earned a year, estimated
- $26,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $10,402
Diploma in Nursing (LPN)
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids
Accredited school
Prerequisite courses
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$9,660Program website, Diploma in Nursing (LPN) at Kirkwood Community CollegeMore details about Diploma in Nursing (LPN) at Kirkwood Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 64 weeks, 20 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $5,000
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $9,660
Practical Nursing - Diploma
Iowa Western Community College
Council Bluffs
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$9,718Program website, Practical Nursing - Diploma at Iowa Western Community CollegeMore details about Practical Nursing - Diploma at Iowa Western Community College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 32 weeks, 30 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,596
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $9,718
No programs match these filters.
How to pay for LPN programs in Iowa
WIOA funding can pay for LPN programs in Iowa
Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?
Financial aid and grants for LPN programs
Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78
GI Bill for LPN programs
Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9
The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.
LPN or RN in Iowa?
The programs Iowa approved for workforce funding in each, side by side. The figures are the typical program's, as on the two pages.
| LPNthis page | RN | |
|---|---|---|
| Programs | 14 at 14 schools | 22 at 18 schools |
| Most cost, if you pay yourself | $8,375 to $10,231 | Two-year degrees$15,143 to $18,416Bachelor's degrees$45,542 to $112,440 |
| Length | 38 to 47 weeks | 75 to 92 weeks |
| Finished the program | 55% | 71% |
| Working 6 months later | 87% | 91% |
| Earned a year, estimated | about $22,600 | about $57,000 |
| Trained with WIOA funding | Not reported | at least 4 people |
LPN vs RN nationwide: what each job does, the license exams and how to get from one to the other
Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024. Earnings are the second quarter after leaving the program, times four.
Quick facts: LPN programs in Iowa
- programs with a price cost under $10,000
- 10 of 14
- lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
- 19th of 34
- other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
- 0 of 26
- LPN programs here, against the typical state's 13
- 14 vs 13
State comparisons use the same figures as the LPN programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).
LPN programs in Des Moines, Burlington, Ottumwa and other Iowa cities
Choosing an area filters the program list above. 4 more programs are in 4 other areas, 4 in smaller cities and towns.
Other training in Iowa
How LPN programs compare with the rest of nursing and patient care: Nursing and patient care programs in Iowa
- CDL training33 programs
- CNA classes22 programs
- Medical assistant training15 programs
- Phlebotomy training11 programs
- Welding classes50 programs
- HVAC training13 programs
- Medical billing and coding training17 programs
- EMT classes22 programs
- Electrician training5 programs
- Dental assistant programs11 programs
- Auto mechanic classes19 programs
- Pharmacy technician training10 programs
- Plumbing school3 programs
- CNC machinist training10 programs
- Carpentry classes12 programs
- Heavy equipment operator training4 programs
- Diesel mechanic training8 programs
- Cybersecurity training12 programs
- IT training40 programs
- Cosmetology school9 programs
- Barber school3 programs
- Esthetician school7 programs
- Nail tech school6 programs
- EKG technician programs1 program
- Massage therapy school13 programs
- Paralegal programs10 programs
- Fire academy4 programs
- Surgical tech programs7 programs
- Radiology tech programs9 programs
- Culinary school8 programs
- Home health aide training1 program
- PTA programs4 programs
- Medical administrative assistant training10 programs
- Human resources training6 programs
- Medication aide training9 programs
- Industrial maintenance technician training23 programs
- Early childhood education programs20 programs
- Aircraft mechanic school3 programs
- Supply chain and logistics training5 programs
- Hospitality management programs10 programs
- Addiction counselor training1 program
- Coding and software development courses20 programs
- Lineman school1 program
- Sterile processing technician training3 programs
- Sonography school3 programs
- Data analytics courses4 programs
- Administrative assistant training32 programs
- Respiratory therapy programs5 programs
- Medical lab technician programs10 programs
- AutoCAD and drafting courses10 programs
- Digital marketing courses5 programs
- Web and graphic design courses14 programs
- Health information technology programs7 programs
- Vet tech programs6 programs
- Patient care technician training1 program
- OTA programs2 programs
- Interpreter and translator training1 program
- Home inspector training1 program
- Forklift certification2 programs
- Personal trainer certification1 program
- Healthcare administration programs4 programs
- Customer service training4 programs
- Flight school1 program
- MRI tech school1 program
- RBT certification training1 program
- Mental health technician training3 programs
- Human services programs12 programs
- Manufacturing technician training2 programs
- Electronics technician training10 programs
- Business administration programs26 programs
- Criminal justice programs7 programs
- Teacher assistant certification8 programs
- Auto body repair classes12 programs
- Solar and wind technician training5 programs
- Water treatment operator training2 programs
- Insurance license courses1 program
- Construction training programs10 programs
- Dental hygiene programs5 programs
- Accounting and bookkeeping classes32 programs
- RN programs22 programs
- Project management certification10 programs
Where the Iowa practical nursing program numbers come from
Which Iowa practical nursing programs are on this list?
These are the practical nursing programs Iowa approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Iowa offers.
How the prices and results of Iowa practical nursing programs are measured
Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.
Sources for the facts about LPN programs in Iowa
Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing: U.S. Members
- US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
- US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
- Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
- US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
- US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
- US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List