Doctor of osteopathic medicine

Tuition and budget

When budgeting for graduate school you need to factor in the cost of tuition and the cost of living. To figure out what you’ll need, we’ve created a budget. We took tuition, added in the average cost of living in Des Moines, the cost of books and equipment, health insurance, food, transportation and other personal expenses. Each student is allowed to receive funding (from all resources i.e.: loans, scholarships, etc.) up to the budget. We used federal guidelines, so the amount represents the maximum funding you can receive. Budgets are adjusted each academic year to reflect any necessary changes.

Keep in mind, the budget is designed for you, the student (not your family), and is only for the months that school is in session.

Des Moines University is a private institution and has the same tuition for in-state and out-of-state students.

Cost of attendance budget 2012-2013
Academic year D.O.’16
year 1
(10 mo.)
D.O.’15
year 2
(10 mo.)
D.O.’14
year 3
(11 mo.)
D.O.’13
year 4
(10 mo.)
Tuition and fees
Tuition/fees $40,800 $40,800 $40,800 $40,800
Loan fees $1,264 $1,215 $1,372 $1,317
Living expenses
Rent (610/mo) $6,100 $6,100 $6,710 $6,100
Utilities (115/mo) $1,150 $1,150 $1,264 $1,150
Telephone (73/mo) $730 $730 $803 $730
Food (321/mo) $3,210 $3,210 $3,531 $3,210
Personal, clothing (285/mo) $2,850 $2,850 $3,135 $2,850
Health insurance (Annual) $1,742 $1,742 $1,742 $1,742
Transportation and travel
Car operation (122/mo) $1,220 $1,220 $1,342 $1,220
Car insurance (118/mo) $1,180 $1,180 $1,298 $1,180
Des Moines/home (annual) $1,025 $1,025 $1,025 $1,025
Educational supplies/rotations
Books/handouts/copying $2,355 $1,884 $1,258 $1,258
Equipment $1,285 $0 $0 $0
Travel for clinical rotations $0 $0 $2,796 $3,045
Travel for clinical exams in DM $0 $0 $580 $0
National boards $0 $535 $535 $0
National boards (P.E.) $0 $0 $1,185 $650**
Total cost of attendance
  $64,911 $63,641 $69,377 $66,277

Budget subject to change

** Includes $650 for travel for P.E. test.

The total cost of attendance budget is the maximum amount of resources (i.e.-scholarships, loans, grants, etc.) that a student may receive. If a student receives a late award (loan, scholarship, grant, etc.) the financial aid package is recalculated. If possible, second disbursements are lowered, if not the late award is sent to the lender to reduce the amount of loans.

For new students, relocation to Des Moines is an expense incurred prior to the program and cannot be included in this budget. You should budget $1,250 for a single student to $1,800 or more for a family.

Daycare for dependent children can be claimed as an expense for each child. Spouse must be employed or in school full time. Budget increase for additional loan funds are subject to bank approval. Request a dependent daycare expense form from the Financial Aid Office.