West Des Moines, Iowa · DO · Private
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine is a private DO school in West Des Moines, Iowa. It ranks 178th of 191 US medical schools on our overall 2026 ranking. Its typical entering class had an average MCAT of 507 and an average GPA of 3.70. Of its graduates from 2005 to 2019 who practice in the US, 32.9% are in primary care and 14.6% stayed in Iowa. The median federal debt of its graduates is $278,566.
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine admissions: MCAT, GPA and acceptance rate
| Entering class | Typical entering class |
|---|---|
| Students who enrolled | 225 |
| Average MCAT | 507 |
| Average GPA | 3.70 |
As published by the school: Class profile. Checked October 27, 2026. Confirm requirements and deadlines with the school before you apply.
How Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine ranks
On our balanced ranking it is 178th of 191. Each measure below is a percentile among US medical schools: 100 is the best. Rank schools on your own weights.
| Measure | Value | Percentile | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research fundingNIH dollars to the school and its research hospitals | $0 | 9 | 161 of 194 |
| Admissions selectivityMCAT of the entering class, as the school publishes it | 507 | 15 | 103 of 122 |
| Primary careGraduates practicing primary care | 32.9% | 81 | 32 of 163 |
| Rural practiceGraduates practicing in rural areas | 17.7% | 91 | 16 of 163 |
| Stay in stateGraduates practicing in the school's state | 14.6% | 8 | 150 of 163 |
| Low debtMedian federal debt at graduation | $279K | 15 | 130 of 152 |
| Class diversityGraduates from groups underrepresented in medicine | 4.3% | 1 | 187 of 189 |
Where Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine graduates practice
Most common specialties
Primary careOther specialties
767 physicians who graduated from 2005 to 2019 and are enrolled in Medicare, by their primary specialty and first listed practice address. Pediatrics and psychiatry are under-counted because fewer of those physicians bill Medicare.
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine research funding
The school received no NIH research awards in fiscal year 2025 under its own name.
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Cost and class
Debt is the median federal loan debt (Stafford and Grad PLUS) of graduates, from the College Scorecard. Class figures are the school's 2023-24 graduates (IPEDS). Underrepresented in medicine = Black, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.
Compare with similar schools
Similar profile
Nearest medical schools
- Creighton University School of Medicine 112 mi
- A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine 113 mi
- A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona 113 mi
- University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine 113 mi
- University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine 118 mi
- Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine 173 mi
Questions about Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What MCAT score do you need for Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine?
The typical entering class had an average MCAT of 507 and an average GPA of 3.70. Many students are admitted below the average, and the school weighs the whole application.
Is Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine a good medical school?
It ranks 178th of 191 on our overall ranking, which weights research funding and admissions selectivity most. Whether it is good for you depends on what you want; the rankings page lets you weight primary care, rural practice, staying in state, debt and diversity yourself.
Is Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine good for primary care?
32.9% of its 2005–2019 graduates practice primary care, 32nd of 163 US schools with enough graduates to measure.
Where do Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine graduates practice?
14.6% practice in Iowa and 17.7% in rural areas. The most common specialties are family medicine (22.2%), emergency medicine (10.7%), internal medicine (8.6%).
How much debt do Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine graduates have?
The median federal student loan debt of its graduates is $278,566, from the College Scorecard.
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Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine ranks 16th of US medical schools for rural practice. Paste this into your site to show it:
Top 25 for rural practice · 2 Minute Medicine Medical School Rankings 2026
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Cite this page
2 Minute Medicine. Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine: Medical School Profile and Ranking. Updated October 28, 2026. https://www.2minutemedicine.com/medical-school-rankings/des-moines-university-college-of-osteopathic-medicine/
Sources: NIH RePORTER fiscal year 2025 (research funding); CMS Doctors and Clinicians file (where 2005–2019 graduates practice); USDA rural-urban commuting area codes 2020 (rural ZIP codes); College Scorecard (median federal debt); IPEDS 2023–24 (graduates and class makeup); each school's own admissions pages (admissions figures, linked on each school page). Methodology · Download the data (CSV)