Best Online Nursing Programs in Ames, IA (2026)
Ames, Iowa has a population of about 66,112. The city’s median household income is $60,102 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 63.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 15 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Ames, with tuition ranging from $5,304 to $30,844 per year for indexed programs. In Iowa, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $229,950 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Ames
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 15 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Ames. Distances are calculated from Ames city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State University | Ames, IA | 1.1 mi | $10,497 - $27,683 | – |
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA | 22.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grand View University | Des Moines, IA | 28.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mercy College of Health Sciences | Des Moines, IA | 29.8 mi | $17,328 - $30,844 | – |
| Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown, IA | 36.9 mi | $5,304 - $13,993 | – |
| Ellsworth Community College | Iowa Falls, IA | 39.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA | 43.5 mi | $5,376 - $15,405 | – |
| William Penn University | Oskaloosa, IA | 70.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo, IA | 72.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Allen College | Waterloo, IA | 74.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Ames
Ames is part of the Ames, IA metro area (BLS area code 11180). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Iowa statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $72,920 | Ames, IA | $82,117 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,020 | Ames, IA | $70,968 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $229,950 | IA statewide | $258,953 |
| Nurse Midwife | $136,450 | IA statewide | $153,660 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,580 | Ames, IA | $142,545 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,110 | Ames, IA | $44,043 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Ames at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,112 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,102 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 63.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Ames-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Ankeny, IA – 20.6 mi away (58,627 pop)
- Johnston, IA – 24.0 mi away (21,114 pop)
- Urbandale, IA – 27.9 mi away (43,018 pop)
- Des Moines, IA – 31.4 mi away (476,689 pop)
- West Des Moines, IA – 33.6 mi away (64,560 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Ames, IA?
Our directory has 15 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Ames. The closest is Iowa State University in Ames, IA (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Allen College (74.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Ames?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Ames are: Nurse Anesthetist ($229,950), Nurse Midwife ($136,450), Nurse Practitioner ($126,580). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Iowa statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Ankeny instead of Ames?
Ankeny, IA is 20.6 miles from Ames and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Ames an affordable place to study nursing?
Ames’s median household income of $60,102 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ames while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Iowa public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.