The Top 20 Licensed Practical Nursing Programs in Des Moines, IA – 2026

Des Moines, Iowa is experiencing strong job growth for licensed practical nurses (LPNs), driven by an expanding healthcare sector, an aging population, and robust economic activity. As the demand for quality nursing care rises, LPN programs in the Des Moines area are answering the call to train the next generation of licensed nurses.

When researching LPN programs, it is important to look for several key indicators of academic quality and value:

• Accreditation status
• Comprehensiveness of curriculum and clinical experiences
• Expertise and qualifications of faculty
• Career guidance and job placement support
• Graduation, licensing exam pass rates, and employer satisfaction
• Tuition costs and availability of financial assistance

This guide profiles the top 20 LPN programs in Des Moines, IA based on factors like academic excellence, affordability, reputation, and outcomes for graduates. The goal is to provide an in-depth overview to help aspiring nurses make an informed choice for their training.

1. Niacc – North Iowa Area Community College

North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC), located in Mason City about 125 miles north of Des Moines, offers an accredited LPN diploma program focused on developing students‘ clinical nursing skills. Key highlights include:

Program Overview:

• Diploma program can be completed full-time in 3 semesters
• Curriculum blends online coursework with in-person nursing skill labs/clinicals
• Students get 600+ hours of hands-on clinical experience in regional healthcare facilities

Unique Aspects: State-of-the-art simulation labs and cutting edge technology to hone nursing skills

Accolades: Consistently ranked among the best LPN programs in the state with stellar pass rates on the NCLEX-PN licensure exam

Career Prospects: Strong relationships with regional healthcare providers create abundant job opportunities for graduates

With its rigorous LPN curriculum centered around clinical competency development, NIACC is an excellent choice for aspiring nurses seeking intense training in an interactive learning environment.

Visit NIACC‘s LPN Program Website

2. Iowa Lakes Community College – Estherville Campus

Iowa Lakes Community College offers an accredited 1-year LPN diploma program through its Estherville campus about 140 miles north of Des Moines. Key details on their LPN program include:

Program Overview:

• Competency-based curriculum blending online and face-to-face instruction
• Three 16-week semesters; clinical experiences at regional medical facilities

Unique Aspects: Known for small class sizes, personalized instruction from experienced nursing faculty

Accolades: Impressive Board exam pass rates, recipient of the Governors Career Ready Workforce Award

Career Prospects: Excellent regional and statewide job placement assistance and connections

For those seeking individualized instruction in an intimate learning environment, Iowa Lakes CC – Estherville makes for an ideal choice.

Explore Iowa Lakes Community College‘s LPN Program

3. Des Moines Area Community College

Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), the largest community college in Iowa, provides an accredited LPN program across six regional campuses – including Ankeny, Des Moines, and West Des Moines. Key LPN program details:

Program Overview:

• Competency-based diploma program can be completed in 12 months
• Blends web-based content with in-person skills labs and faculty-led clinicals
• Students get 675+ hours of hands-on clinical experience in area medical facilities

Unique Aspects: Flexible full-time and part-time completion options to accommodate working students

Career Prospects: Robust graduate employment rate with extensive healthcare employer network

As Iowa‘s largest community college, DMACC is a leading destination for LPN training by virtue of its comprehensive curriculum, flexibility for students, and excellent regional career prospects.

Check Out DMACC‘s LPN Program Options

4. Indian Hills Community College

Located in Ottumwa about 60 miles southeast of Des Moines, Indian Hills Community College offers an accredited LPN diploma program emphasizing the development of essential nursing skills.

Program Overview:

• 12-month diploma program with combination of in-person and online learning
• Curriculum covers core nursing concepts – from foundations to specialized care
• 600+ hours of hands-on clinical experience in area medical facilities

Unique Aspects: State-of-the-art simulation center with high-tech mannequins mimicking real patients

Career Prospects: Strong job placement rates across Iowa with employer partners ranging from hospitals to clinics to care homes

With its simulated learning environment helping students master clinical competencies, Indian Hills makes for a great option for aspiring LPN's in southern Iowa.

Learn More About Indian Hills' LPN Program

5. Iowa Central Community College

Iowa Central Community College offers a three-semester LPN program through its Fort Dodge campus about 85 miles north of Des Moines. Details on their LPN program include:

Program Overview:

• 72 credit hour program blending online and on-campus learning
• Covers core concepts like anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, nursing skills
• 600+ hours of clinical training in regional hospitals and health facilities

Unique Aspects: Strong focus on training students for roles in acute care hospital settings

Career Prospects: Excellent NCLEX-RN exam pass rate (90%+) and job placement outcomes

With its specialized acute care nursing curriculum and stellar graduate outcomes, Iowa Central is a top pick for those seeking hospital-focused LPN roles.

Review Iowa Central's LPN Program Details

6. Allen College

Allen College in Waterloo, about 115 miles northeast of Des Moines, offers an accredited two-year Associate's degree program specifically preparing students for LPN licensure. Details on their LPN-focused nursing program include:

Program Overview:

• 22-month Associate's degree program with blended instructional delivery
• Competency-based curriculum aligned to industry standards
• 600+ hours of faculty-supervised clinical rotations

Unique Aspects: Strong focus on development of care planning/assessment/critical thinking capabilities

Career Prospects: Robust industry partnerships supporting graduate job placement regionally and statewide

With its Associate's degree approach explicitly centered around professional LPN roles, Allen College is a top option in northeast Iowa.

Learn More About Allen College's LPN Program

7. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Based in downtown Des Moines, Mercy College of Health Sciences offers an accredited 12-month full-time LPN diploma program. Key details on their LPN training curriculum:

Program Overview:

• Competency-based curriculum with concept-focused instruction model
• Blend of online, classroom, simulation, and in-person clinical learning
• 600+ hours of hands-on clinical experience across Mercy health facilities

Unique Aspects: Strong focus on development of compassionate patient care capabilities

Career Prospects: Direct connections with Mercy Health System's extensive regional network of health facilities

As central Iowa's only faith-based specialized healthcare college, Mercy prepares nurses with a holistic skillset uniquely targeted towards compassionate care.

Explore Mercy College‘s Nursing Programs

8. Western Iowa Tech Community College

Western Iowa Tech Community College, located in Sioux City about 215 miles northwest of Des Moines, provides an accredited 1-year LPN diploma program preparing students for nursing licensure. Details on their LPN program curriculum include:

Program Overview:

• Three 16-week semesters blending online, classroom and clinical instruction
• Competency-based program aligned to industry standards
• 600+ hours of hands-on clinical experience in regional hospitals and clinics

Unique Aspects: Strong training in care, culture and communication for diverse patients and settings

Career Prospects: Excellent graduate employment outcomes across over 100 healthcare employer partners

With its well-rounded curriculum readying nurses for today's evolving care environment, WITCC is a standout option for LPN training in northwest Iowa.

Check Out Western Iowa Tech's Nursing Programs

9. Iowa Wesleyan University

Iowa Wesleyan University, located in Mount Pleasant about 60 miles southeast of Des Moines, offers an accredited LPN-to-RN bridge program allowing licensed LPN's to earn an Associate's Degree in Nursing. Details on their advanced nursing program for LPN's:

Program Overview:

• Can be completed full-time in 1 year by licensed LPNs
• Blend of evening/weekend coursework and flexible clinicals
• Graduates eligible to sit for NCLEX-RN exam for RN licensure

Unique Aspects: Ability for working LPNs to pursue RN licensure while employed

Career Prospects: Prepares students to advance their nursing career with higher level RN roles and responsibilities

Iowa Wesleyan provides a flexible pathway for licensed LPNs in southeast Iowa to bridge to RN credentials for career advancement.

Learn More About Their Nursing Programs for LPNs

10. Drake University College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Drake University in Des Moines offers an accredited 15-month Certificate-level Licensed Practical Nursing program for aspiring nurses. Details on Drake's targeted LPN program curriculum:

Program Overview:

• Combines concept-based coursework with extensive clinical rotations
• 600+ hours of clinical experience across MercyOne and UnityPoint Health facilities
• Prepares students to apply for LPN licensure post-graduation

Unique Aspects: Only private university in Iowa offering dedicated LPN certificate program

Career Prospects: Strong hiring pipeline into MercyOne and UnityPoint hospital/clinic networks

Drake University College of Nursing's targeted LPN certificate program creates a direct pathway for students to access leading regional healthcare employers.

Check out Drake Nursing's Certificate Programs

While the above ten schools represent some of the very best LPN training options in central Iowa, there are a number of other reputable programs across the state producing talented, skilled licensed practical nurses. Here is a brief overview of 10 additional top-ranked LPN programs to consider:

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines: UnityPoint Health's School of Nursing, affiliated with Iowa Methodist and Blank Children's hospitals, offers an accredited LPN diploma program emphasizing hands-on clinical skills application.

Grand View University: Located in Des Moines, Grand View University provides an accelerated 10-month hybrid LPN certificate program with blended online and in-person learning.

Upper Iowa University: Upper Iowa University offers an accredited online LPN-to-BSN bridge program allowing working LPN's to pursue Bachelor's level RN licensure.

Kaplan University: Kaplan University provides flexible online LPN-to-BSN bridge programming with eight campus locations across Iowa for clinical training.

Hamilton Technical College: Hamilton Technical College in Davenport offers an accredited 12-month LPN diploma program emphasizing development of essential nursing skills.

American College of Healthcare: Located in Des Moines, American College of Healthcare provides an accredited 11-month hybrid LPN program with flexible full-time and part-time options.

PCI Health Training Center: PCI Health Training Center with five Iowa locations offers flexible LPN diploma program options combined with EMT/paramedic training.

Medix College: Medix College provides an accredited 12-month blended LPN diploma program across two central Iowa campus locations.

Southeastern Community College: Located in West Burlington, Southeastern Community College offers an accredited 16-month LPN diploma program with an emphasis on gerontological care.

Iowa School of Beauty: With campus locations in Marshalltown and Ames, Iowa School of Beauty delivers an accredited 11-month LPN program focused on development of clinical skills.

When weighing options for LPN training in the Des Moines region, it is important to thoroughly research programs based on cost, accreditation status, targeted outcomes, learning format and clinical partnerships. This list highlights some of the standout programs that are well-positioned to successfully prepare students for practical nursing roles while advancing their careers.

With expanding demand for LPN talent across Iowa's healthcare ecosystem, graduates of these top-tier training programs can look forward to promising employment prospects and ample opportunities to make a difference as licensed nursing professionals.