Allen College: $20,444 Tuition

$20,444Tuition

279Students

$71,261Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Allen College

Allen College trains the next generation of healthcare professionals in small-town Iowa. This specialized health sciences institution serves 279 students who focus primarily on nursing and allied health programs. The college opened in 1989 with a clear mission to address healthcare workforce shortages in the region.

Students face tuition of $20,444 regardless of residency status. Only 26.62% receive federal Pell Grants, suggesting many students come from middle-income families. Graduates earn a median of $71,261 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $18,750 quite manageable. Monthly loan payments average just $199, and the loan repayment rate hits 83.84%. The employment rate reaches 100%, reflecting strong demand for healthcare workers.

The student body is overwhelmingly female at 91.76%, typical for nursing-focused institutions. An 8:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in clinical training. The college operates on a semester system in Waterloo, a small city that provides practical healthcare experience opportunities. Students here are serious about their career goals and benefit from hands-on learning in a tight-knit academic community.

Academics & Faculty

Allen College operates as a specialized health sciences institution that trains the next generation of healthcare professionals. The school's 8:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention crucial for mastering complex medical concepts and clinical skills. With 92% of students being women, the college reflects nursing's demographic reality while building a tight-knit academic community. The curriculum focuses intensively on nursing and allied health programs, preparing graduates for immediate employment in Iowa's healthcare sector. Students benefit from hands-on learning in state-of-the-art labs and clinical rotations at partner medical facilities. The specialized focus means every course connects directly to future career responsibilities in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
Full-Time Faculty: 57.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $71,261
Carnegie Classification: Associate College (High Career)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Master	$104,363
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions.	Bachelor	$55,964
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$55,080

View all 19 programs →

Campus Life

Allen College sits in downtown Waterloo, about 100 miles from Des Moines and 65 miles from Cedar Falls. The 279 students navigate Iowa winters where temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February. You'll need a heavy winter coat and boots for the snowy months.

With 91.76% women, the student body reflects nursing's gender demographics. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student by name in this tight-knit health sciences community. Most students commute or live off-campus since this specialized college focuses purely on academic preparation rather than traditional campus life.

Weekends often involve study groups preparing for clinical rotations and NCLEX preparation. Students frequently volunteer at local hospitals like UnityPoint Health-Allen or Covenant Medical Center, gaining hands-on experience while giving back. The semester calendar keeps students busy with intensive coursework designed to prepare them for immediate employment. With a 100% employment rate and median debt of just $18,750, graduates enter the workforce quickly in high-demand healthcare fields.

Setting: City-Small
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1989

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Fondling	1	0	0	0
Motor Vehicle Theft	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 9°–27°F
July Avg: 62°–84°F
Annual Precipitation: 34.6"
Annual Snowfall: 35.3"

Student Demographics

Allen College draws students serious about healthcare careers, with nearly 92% women reflecting the nursing profession's demographics. The student body is 77% white and predominantly local, suggesting strong ties to Iowa's medical community. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, indicating the school serves middle-income families investing in stable healthcare careers. The small size of 279 students creates tight-knit cohorts moving through rigorous nursing and allied health programs together. Students here know exactly what they want to do professionally and chose Allen for its healthcare focus.

Men: 8.2%
Women: 91.8%
White: 77.4%
Black: 1.1%
Hispanic: 2.9%
Asian: 2.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 26.6%

Location

Allen College sits in Waterloo, Iowa, about 115 miles northeast of Des Moines. This small city of roughly 68,000 residents anchors the Cedar Valley region alongside neighboring Cedar Falls. Waterloo combines urban amenities with Midwestern affordability, offering students access to hospitals and healthcare facilities that align with the college's health sciences focus. The area features a mix of industrial heritage and growing healthcare sectors. Students benefit from lower living costs compared to larger metropolitan areas while still accessing internship and job opportunities in local medical centers. The Cedar Valley's tight-knit community creates networking opportunities within Iowa's healthcare industry. Students considering colleges in Iowa may also compare Allen College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Waterloo, Iowa 50703-1999

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $71,261
Median Earnings (5 years): $66,213
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $53,000
Loan Repayment Rate: 83.8%
Monthly Loan Payment: $199/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $18,750

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Allen College known for academically?

Allen College specializes in nursing and allied health programs as a private health sciences institution. With an 8:1 student-faculty ratio among just 279 students, the college provides intensive, hands-on training for healthcare careers. The focused curriculum produces graduates with strong earning potential in the medical field.

How much does Allen College cost for tuition?

Allen College charges $20,444 for both in-state and out-of-state students since it's a private institution. Only 26.62% of students receive financial aid, and graduates leave with a median debt of $18,750. The relatively low debt load reflects the college's focused programs and strong job placement in healthcare.

What are the job prospects like after graduating from Allen College?

Allen College boasts a remarkable 100% employment rate for its graduates. Alumni earn a median salary of $71,261 ten years after graduation, reflecting the strong demand for healthcare professionals. With monthly loan payments averaging just $199, graduates can manage their debt while building successful careers.

Where is Allen College located and what is the campus environment like?

Allen College sits in Waterloo, Iowa, a small city setting that provides a close-knit community atmosphere. The student body of 279 is overwhelmingly female at 91.76%, which reflects the college's focus on nursing and healthcare programs. This intimate environment allows for personalized attention and strong professional networking.

Is Allen College a diverse institution?

Allen College has a predominantly white student body at 77.42%, with smaller populations of Hispanic (2.87%), Asian (2.87%), and Black (1.08%) students. Founded in 1989, the college remains a specialized institution focused on healthcare education rather than broad liberal arts diversity. The gender ratio heavily favors women, which aligns with traditional nursing demographics.

How successful are Allen College students at repaying their loans?

Allen College students demonstrate strong financial responsibility with an 83.84% loan repayment rate. The combination of high employment rates and solid starting salaries helps graduates manage their debt effectively. Federal loans are used by 62.23% of students, but the manageable debt levels make repayment achievable for most.