Iowa offers 6 PMHNP programs, with 3 on-campus options (Allen College, Briar Cliff University, and University of Iowa) and 3 fully online national programs (Nightingale College, Post University, and Purdue Global). Total program costs range from $20,160 to $164,332 depending on program type, residency status, and institution.
Quick Summary Table
| University | Available Tracks | Est. Total Cost | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allen College | MSN, BSN-DNP, RN-DNP, Cert | $26,572 – $76,312 | 525 – 1,000 |
| Briar Cliff University | MSN, Post-Grad Cert | ~$35,482 | 750 |
Admissions Tip: The Iowa Clinical Advantage
If you are applying to Allen College, be prepared for a “mandatory local” requirement: all students must complete a portion of their hours at the DeBonis Free Medical Clinic in Waterloo, IA, regardless of where they live.
In contrast, Briar Cliff offers more flexibility for remote students, allowing you to arrange placements close to your home, though you must still attend two mandatory on-site days in Sioux City for Advanced Health Assessment. For both schools, if you are an out-of-state applicant, you should verify your state’s reciprocity agreement with Iowa before paying the application fee.
Allen College PMHNP Programs
Waterloo | $962 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / MSN / DNP
Allen College delivers PMHNP training in a hybrid format with live online sessions plus required campus OSCEs and residencies in Waterloo, Iowa. A Clinical Coordinator secures all placements with student input, and every student completes hours at the Allen College DeBonis Free Medical Clinic. Tracks include MSN, BSN-DNP, RN-DNP, and a Post-Graduate Certificate, each combining core coursework with PMHNP specialty training and supervised clinicals. ..read more.
Briar Cliff University PMHNP Programs
Sioux City | $585 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Briar Cliff University delivers PMHNP education online, with two required on-site days in Summer Year 1 for Advanced Health Assessment and in-person clinical components. Students work with a clinical coordinator to identify preceptors; faculty vet sites and arrange contracts, and placements are set near the student’s home when possible. The program offers MSN and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate tracks and was ranked #2 Online MSN PMHNP by nursepractitioneronline.com in 2025. ..read more.
University of Iowa PMHNP Programs
Iowa City | $1,191 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / DNP
University of Iowa offers four PMHNP pathways: BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, Post-APRN-to-DNP, and a Post-Graduate Certificate. The programs use a hybrid format with mostly online coursework and weekly on-campus sessions for NP didactics; faculty arrange clinical placements across Iowa, typically near a student’s home. Reported outcomes include a 100% ANCC certification pass rate and 100% job placement within three months of graduation. The BSN-to-DNP option spans 76 credits and costs about $89,566 for residents ($164,332 for nonresidents), with 3- or 4-year plans available...read more.
Nightingale College PMHNP Program
online | $550 cpc | MSN
Nightingale College’s MSN-PMHNP track delivers 55 credits over roughly two years, combining online coursework with faculty-supported precepted clinicals and a single on-site seminar. Students complete 547.5 didactic hours and 810 clinical contact hours, building competency in assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy across the lifespan for ANCC certification readiness. Estimated total cost is about $34,750 including required resource fees. The program is authorized in Iowa, so Iowa RNs can enroll and arrange clinical placements consistent with local guidelines.
Post University PMHNP Programs
online | $604 cpc | MSN
Built for working RNs, the MSN–PMHNP specialization pairs flexible pacing (single 8-week courses, consistent due dates) with a clear clinical roadmap. You’ll complete 630 supervised hours in child/adolescent, adult/older-adult, and substance-use specialty rotations. Across 51–54 credits, core and specialty courses sharpen diagnostic reasoning and therapy/medication management to prepare you for PMHNP board exams in roughly 34 months at about $31k.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
online | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
The online Purdue Global PMHNP tracks, including the Certificate, MSN, and MSN-DNP, are authorized for enrollment in Iowa, allowing RNs to advance their careers with a CCNE-accredited program. The curriculum prepares nurses to manage psychiatric disorders across the lifespan in varied settings and is delivered fully online. The programs feature an estimated cost of $32,760 for the MSN portion and utilize virtual reality for clinical preparation.
WGU PMHNP Programs
online | flat rate cpc | Certificate / MSN
The WGU PMHNP programs through the Leavitt School of Health prepare nurses to deliver advanced mental health care via flexible, competency-based online learning. Students can earn either a Master of Science in Nursing or a Post-Master’s Certificate while completing 650 local clinical hours focused on psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and management. The MSN costs about $36,000 over 2.5 years, and the certificate costs about $23,000 over 1.5 years.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
online | $751 cpc | Certificate / MSN / RN to MSN
For Iowa nurses, Wilkes University offers fully online PMHNP pathways at the MSN, certificate, and DNP levels, all designed with flexible scheduling for working professionals. Iowa students receive built-in clinical placement assistance, reducing the stress of finding psychiatric-mental health clinical sites and preceptors on their own. Coursework focuses on evidence-based therapies, psychopathology, and psychopharmacology, equipping graduates to provide comprehensive mental health care throughout Iowa.
How to Choose the Best PMHNP Program for You in Iowa
Iowa offers 6 PMHNP programs, with 3 on-campus options (Allen College, Briar Cliff University, and University of Iowa) and 3 fully online national programs (Nightingale College, Post University, and Purdue Global). Total program costs range from $20,160 to $164,332 depending on program type, residency status, and institution.
TLDR: Quick Program Selection Guide
Choose Purdue Global if you want the most affordable certificate ($20,160) or MSN ($32,760) with fully online flexibility.
Choose Briar Cliff University if you want the fastest completion (3 years part-time for MSN or certificate) with Iowa-based faculty and the #2 ranked online MSN PMHNP program nationally.
Choose University of Iowa if you want 100% certification pass rates, guaranteed job placement within 3 months, and DNP preparation with state funding assistance for Iowa residents.
Choose Nightingale College if you prefer a rapid 2-year full-time MSN with 810 clinical hours and competency-based progression.
Choose Allen College if you want multiple degree pathways (MSN, BSN-DNP, RN-DNP, certificate) with clinical placements at their on-campus free medical clinic.
Choose Post University if you need monthly start dates with 8-week courses and one-class-at-a-time scheduling.
Post-Graduate Certificate Programs
Cost Comparison
- Most Affordable: Purdue Global – $20,160
- Allen College – $26,572
- Post University – $30,198–$30,794
- Briar Cliff University – $35,482.50
Duration
- Fastest: Purdue Global – 1.5 years full-time
- Post University – 1.67 years
- Allen College – 3 years part-time
- Briar Cliff University – 3 years part-time
- University of Iowa – 14 months (4 semesters)
Clinical Hours
Certificate programs require 500–650 hours. Briar Cliff and Allen College both require 750 hours (including experience in rural/underserved settings), while Purdue Global requires 525 hours across three clinical courses.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
Cost Comparison
- Most Affordable for Iowa Residents: Purdue Global – $32,760
- Nightingale College – $34,750
- Briar Cliff University – $35,482.50
- Allen College – $46,335
- Post University – $30,198–$30,794 (11 courses for MSN-prepared nurses adding PMHNP)
Duration
- Fastest: Nightingale College – 2 years full-time
- Purdue Global – 2 years full-time
- Post University – 2.8 years (34 months)
- Allen College – 3 years full-time, 4+ years part-time
- Briar Cliff University – 3 years part-time (8 semesters)
Clinical Hours
- Nightingale College – 810 hours (18 practicum courses)
- Briar Cliff University – 750 hours
- Post University – 630 hours
- Allen College – 525 hours
- Purdue Global – Clinical hours embedded in specialty courses
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs
Cost Comparison (Iowa Residents)
- Most Affordable for Iowa Residents: Allen College BSN to DNP – $68,136
- Allen College RN to DNP – $76,312
- University of Iowa BSN to DNP – $89,566
- University of Iowa MSN to DNP – $51,748
Cost Comparison (Non-Residents)
- Allen College programs charge the same rate for all students
- University of Iowa BSN to DNP – $164,332
- University of Iowa MSN to DNP – $85,226
Duration
- Fastest: Allen College BSN to DNP – 3 years full-time
- University of Iowa BSN to DNP – 3–4 years (3-year or 4-year track)
- University of Iowa MSN to DNP – 2–3 years
- Allen College RN to DNP – ~4 years
Clinical Hours
All DNP programs require minimum 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours. University of Iowa requires at least 540 PMHNP-specific clinical hours, while Allen College BSN to DNP requires 925 hours and RN to DNP requires 1,000 hours.
Iowa-Based vs. National Online Programs
Iowa Campus Programs
Allen College (Waterloo, IA)
- 4 program tracks: MSN, BSN-DNP, RN-DNP, Post-Graduate Certificate
- Hybrid format with on-campus attendance for OSCEs and residencies
- Clinical placements at Allen College DeBonis Free Medical Clinic
- Optional rural/underserved emphasis
- Cost: $26,572–$76,312 depending on track
Briar Cliff University (Sioux City, IA)
- Ranked #2 Online MSN PMHNP Program nationally (2025)
- 2 mandatory on-site days during Summer Year 1
- Clinical coordinator arranges placements close to student homes
- 100% employment within 12 months of graduation (2022–2024)
- Certification pass rates: 75%–100% ANCC
- Cost: $35,482.50 for MSN or certificate
University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)
- 3 program tracks: BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, Post-Graduate Certificate
- 100% ANCC certification pass rate
- 100% job placement within 3 months
- Faculty arrange all placements within Iowa (typically within 100 miles)
- Financial support through Iowa Department of Public Health grant (all PMHNP students)
- Hybrid with weekly on-campus attendance for didactic NP courses
- Cost: $14,656–$164,332 (varies by residency and track)
National Online Programs
- Fully online with one mandatory in-person seminar in Salt Lake City
- Available in 21 states including Iowa
- 810 clinical hours across 18 practicum courses
- Next start: August 31, 2026
- Cost: $34,750
Post University (American Sentinel College)
- 100% online with monthly start dates
- 8-week courses, one at a time
- 630 clinical hours across 5 preceptorship courses
- Must pass APEA 3P Exam after first three courses
- Available in 43 states including Iowa
- Cost: $30,198–$30,794
- 3 program tracks: Certificate, MSN, MSN-DNP
- 100% online with clinical experiences in local communities
- 93.7% average certification pass rate (2024 graduates)
- Immersive VR assignments with telehealth and group therapy
- Clinical hours completed where convenient (even at workplace)
- Cost: $20,160–$32,760 (MSN portion)
Key Decision Factors
Clinical Placement Support: Briar Cliff and University of Iowa provide faculty-arranged placements. National programs require student participation in securing preceptors.
Accreditation: All programs hold CCNE accreditation.
Admission Requirements: Most require BSN with 3.0 GPA, current RN license, and 1 year clinical experience. University of Iowa does not require prior work experience but recommends it.
Financial Aid: University of Iowa offers state grant funding for all PMHNP students (no repayment required). Briar Cliff students qualify for federal loans with 5+ credits and have access to loan forgiveness programs.
Start Dates: Post University offers monthly starts. Allen College and Briar Cliff begin fall and spring. University of Iowa has a February 1 application deadline with limited class sizes (~24 students).