Des Moines Area Community College

In 2002, tuition for full-time students at Des Moines Area Community College was $5,340 a year for in-state students and $10,680 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college more manageable until you're done with college.

International students can expect to pay 10,680 per year for tuition at Des Moines Area Community College.

Des Moines Area Community College meets 91% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Des Moines Area Community College full-time are awarded $9,002 a year in financial aid, on average.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Des Moines Area Community College

Des Moines Area Community College is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $5,340 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.Non-Iowa residents can expect to pay 10,680 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to verify your state's rules for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Iowa colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Des Moines Area Community College?

Des Moines Area Community College has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Des Moines Area Community College can expect to pay around $10,680 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships.

---

Des Moines Area Community College Living Expenses, Fees, and More

---

Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Des Moines Area Community College.

House and Food Costs at Des Moines Area Community College

Housing and campus dining at Des Moines Area Community College costs $8,190 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining halls. Students who do not live on-campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can choose to be on a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $5,960.

Board costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Des Moines Area Community College

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have ways for students with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Transportation costs

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your transportation budget. At Des Moines Area Community College, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area may be pricey, but there may be more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Des Moines Area Community College campus is in a town in Iowa.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to consider the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

---

The Full Cost of Attending Des Moines Area Community College

---

Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of how much students can expect to shell out for Des Moines Area Community College.

How Much Does Des Moines Area Community College Cost?

What will the cost of attending Des Moines Area Community College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$5,340
Out-of-State Tuition	$10,680
Room and Board	$8,190
Board Only	$2,502
Other expenses	$2,358

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

---

Financial Aid at Des Moines Area Community College

---

In 2023, 2,453 of the 21,637 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Des Moines Area Community College meets 91% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $9,002 a year.

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Des Moines Area Community College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Des Moines Area Community College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Des Moines Area Community College awarded 2,439 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $12.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school.

Net Cost of Des Moines Area Community College

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Des Moines Area Community College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Des Moines Area Community College was $9,002 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Des Moines Area Community College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-1,306
Net In-state, Off-campus	$1,846
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$13,036

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Des Moines Area Community College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Des Moines Area Community College's net cost calculator on their website.

Des Moines Area Community College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Des Moines Area Community College does not have guaranteed tuition.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Des Moines Area Community College Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Des Moines Area Community College's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2002, the total market value of Des Moines Area Community College's endowment was $6.5 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021.

---

Learn More About Des Moines Area Community College

---

Choose one of the options below to find out more about about Des Moines Area Community College:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

See what others say about Des Moines Area Community College in the College Confidential forums