Des Moines Area Community College

In 2021, tuition for full-time students at Des Moines Area Community College was $5,100 a year for in-state students and $10,200 a year for out-of-state students. On average, college tuition rises about 3 percent a year.

If these numbers sound high, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition doesn't give you enough information to determine the actual cost. Many students pay far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college more manageable.

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

Des Moines Area Community College is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $5,100 for in-state students who attend full-time.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state can cut the cost of college tuition. Every state has their own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition

Explore other Iowa colleges

Des Moines Area Community College International Student Tuition

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

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for school-specific aid and scholarships.

Des Moines Area Community College Living Expenses and Other Costs

In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies.

Room and Board at Des Moines Area Community College

Room and board at Des Moines Area Community College is $7,276 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat in the school dining facilities. Students who live off campus but still want to use the dining facility can pay for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $5,270.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the meal plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Des Moines Area Community College

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. At Des Moines Area Community College, you can expect to pay about $870 a year for books and supplies. This does not count the initial cost of a computer or other technology. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may also be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team, may mean additional fees.

Transportation costs

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. It depends on if you drive or fly to get to school, own a car, or if you prefer to walk or take public transportation to get around campus.

A school's location can impact transportation costs. The Des Moines Area Community College campus is in a small town setting in Iowa. First-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

For Des Moines Area Community College students, $2,278 is good ballpark for transportation costs for on-campus students. $2,475 is a good estimate for transportation costs for students who live off campus.

Other College Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

Let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, which can add up for both on-campus and off-campus students.

Total Cost of Des Moines Area Community College

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

Des Moines Area Community College’s tuition and fees change based on: Course load for full-time students

Financial Aid at Des Moines Area Community College

The majority of Des Moines Area Community College undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2021, 0 of the 23,051 undergrads enrolled received financial aid.

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.

Des Moines Area Community College Net Cost

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.

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.

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 understand 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.

The school offers a Prepaid Tuition Plan, which is a type of college savings plan that enables people to purchase future credits for their children at today's rate. It is best for people who are sure they or their child will attend a public school in their state.

Des Moines Area Community College offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Des Moines Area Community College Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups to cover some or all of the cost of tuition. Some schools offer them for employees and their family, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student

Des Moines Area Community College has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: Employees or Children of Employees

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