Doctor of podiatric 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.P.M. ’16
year 1
(10 mo.)
D.P.M. ’15
year 2
(11 mo.)*
D.P.M. ’14
year 3
(10 mo.)
D.P.M. ’13
year 4
(12 mo.)
Tuition and fees
Tuition/fees $29,006 $29,006 $29,006 $29,006
APMSA $150 $150 $150 $150
Loan fees $760 $751 $672 $447
Living expenses
Rent (610/mo) $6,100 $6,710 $6,100 $7,320
Utilities (115/mo) $1,150 $1,265 $1,150 $1,380
Telephone (73/mo) $730 $803 $730 $876
Food (321/mo) $3,210 $3,531 $3,210 $3,852
Personal, clothing (285/mo) $2,850 $3,135 $2,850 $3,420
Health iInsurance (annual) $1,760 $1,760 $1,760 $1,760
Transportation and travel
Car operation (122/mo) $1,220 $1,342 $1,220 $1,464
Car insurance (118/mo) $1,180 $1,298 $1,180 $1,416
Des Moines/home (annual) $1,025 $1,025 $1,025 $1,025
Educational supplies/rotations
Books/handouts/copying $1,760 $1,237 $479 $0
Equipment $921 $348 $0 $0
Travel for clinical rotations $0 $0 $0 $3,045
National boards $0 $900 $0 $900
Total cost of attendance
  $51,804 $53,243 $49,514 $56,043

Budget subject to change

*Includes second-year clinics students participate in for four weeks in June or July.

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.

Day care 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 day care expense form from the financial aid office.