About Des Moines Area Community College
Des Moines Area Community College is a two-year public institution devoted to student success and technical training. Students are prepared to enter the workforce through college collaboration with business and labor, responding to service area and educational needs. Enrolled individuals may also take advantage of transferable credit, going on to pursue academic and professional advancement from a four-year university.
DMACC online associate’s degrees, certificates and diplomas are available to the working adult or nontraditional student. Online programs include studies in business, education, information technology, and more. Courses are competitively affordable in completely online and blended formats, making Des Moines Area Community College a strong choice for those in need of flexibility, convenience, and accessibility in academics.
Consider online learning with DMACC:
- Classical, accelerated, and late start options
- Full time online faculty
- Offerings and schedule continually updated with six start dates per year
Accreditation & Licensing
Des Moines Area Community College is accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Type:
2-year, PublicHighest Level Offered:
Associate's degreeReligious Affiliation:
Not applicableEnrollment:
Undergraduate: 35,463 ; Graduate: Not applicablePercent of Fully Online Students:
Undergraduate: 23% ; Graduate: Not applicableGraduation Rate:
39%Transfer Rate:
17%Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:
$41,018Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$11,000Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
22%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$4,524Credit for Military Training:
YesOnline Programs offered by Des Moines Area Community College
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
Business
Computer Science & IT
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
Math & Science
Filters
DMACC gives students a clear path to finish general education and move on to a four-year school. Transfer planning is part of the student experience from the start. Advising helps with class registration and keeps each term on track with degree goals. This structure makes it easier to plan classes in order and avoid last-minute schedule problems.
Cost is a big strength at DMACC. Many students see it as a low-cost way to begin college, with affordable tuition and credits that often transfer to universities. It can be a smart first step for students who want to save money and keep moving toward a bachelor’s degree. Program pace can differ by subject, and some online math courses may take more time to complete.
At DMACC, support shows up in everyday moments. Advising helps students register with less stress and keep their degree plan on track. Staff are known for being knowledgeable and kind, so help feels useful and personal.
Professor support is another strong point. In smaller classes, students can get direct attention and build confidence as they learn. A repeated tech hassle is password resets, which can be frustrating. Even with that issue, people support remains a clear strength at DMACC.
DMACC’s online classes are easy to follow. Canvas course layout is clear. Deadlines were easy to track. DegreeWorks shows progress in one place.
That structure helps with schedule planning each week. It also reduces uncertainty about progress over time. Online math can take awhile to finish. Build extra time into that part of your pace.
Classes at DMACC feel personal, not anonymous. Small class sizes are common, and teachers know who you are. Professors are often described as enthusiastic and invested in learning, which gives classes a more connected tone than a large lecture model. Coursework runs on steady effort.
Keeping up with reading and writing is key to the pace and rigor. This is not a cram-and-coast setup. The rhythm is consistent week to week, with workload intensity shifting by subject. Online math, in particular, can take longer to complete than other courses.
DMACC is a practical community-college start. Cost and transfer value are the core strengths. It is a very affordable way to begin college. Credits often move well to four-year schools.
Advising helps make registration and transfer planning straightforward. Classes are usually small and personal. Instructors often know students by name. Coursework relies on steady reading and writing each week.
Online classes are organized in Canvas. Deadlines are easy to track. DegreeWorks helps students see progress clearly. Pace can vary by subject.
Online math may take longer to finish. Support from staff and professors is a plus. The main friction is account access. Password resets can be a repeated hassle.
DMACC is a practical community-college start. Cost and transfer value are the core strengths. It is a very affordable way to begin college. Credits often move well to four-year schools.
Advising helps make registration and transfer planning straightforward. Classes are usually small and personal. Instructors often know students by name. Coursework relies on steady reading and writing each week.
Online classes are organized in Canvas. Deadlines are easy to track. DegreeWorks helps students see progress clearly. Pace can vary by subject.
Online math may take longer to finish. Support from staff and professors is a plus. The main friction is account access. Password resets can be a repeated hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Des Moines Area Community College
Is Des Moines Area Community College accredited?
Yes. Des Moines Area Community College is institutionally accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
How many online programs does Des Moines Area Community College offer?
Des Moines Area Community College offers 19 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does Des Moines Area Community College offer?
Des Moines Area Community College offers associate-level programs.
How should students contact admissions at Des Moines Area Community College?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is Des Moines Area Community College expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, Des Moines Area Community College falls into GetEducated’s $ tuition tier, which points to a lower tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at Des Moines Area Community College?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask Des Moines Area Community College first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
Is Des Moines Area Community College military friendly?
Des Moines Area Community College does not show Yellow Ribbon support. If military benefits matter for your plan, check current military options before you apply.
How can students request information from Des Moines Area Community College through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for Des Moines Area Community College applications?
Most listed programs ask for Official High School Transcript/GED Score, Official College Transcript(s), and Recommendation/Reference Letter(s). Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does Des Moines Area Community College accept life experience credit?
Des Moines Area Community College accepts life experience credit, but qualifying can be harder than expected and fees may still apply. Check Transfer Options to confirm what applies to your program.
Are Des Moines Area Community College programs fully online or mixed?
Des Moines Area Community College includes 100% Online and Mostly Online options, so students should check the format of their specific program before applying.
What kinds of online programs does Des Moines Area Community College offer?
Des Moines Area Community College has online program options in areas such as Business, Computer Science & IT, Criminal Justice, Safety & Law, and Art & Liberal Arts; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.
Do any Des Moines Area Community College programs have specialized accreditation?
Program-specific accreditors include Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Are any admission tests required for Des Moines Area Community College programs?
One recurring admissions-test item is ACCUPLACER, ACT/SAT. Students should confirm whether it applies to their specific program.
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Des Moines Area Community College?
Some programs show different in-state and out-of-state tuition totals, so check your specific program cost.
Do any Des Moines Area Community College programs have state authorization limitations?
State authorization restrictions are not prominent across available programs, but students should still confirm eligibility for their state. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at Des Moines Area Community College?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Des Moines Area Community College, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare Des Moines Area Community College programs?
Working adults should confirm program format, total cost, timeline, and application requirements before choosing a path.
What should students compare before choosing a Des Moines Area Community College program?
Students should compare accreditation fit, program format, application requirements, total cost, and whether the timeline works with their schedule.
Featured Ranking Reports
Des Moines Area Community College is featured in 6 of our ranking reports!
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Geographic and Educational Overview
Des Moines Area Community College is located in Iowa
Iowa at a Glance:
Top Majors in Iowa:
Top Incentives in Iowa:
- Iowa Tuition Grant: Up to $6,800 annually
Top Career Pathways in Iowa:
- Entry Level: Farm Manager ($55,000)
- Mid Level: Agricultural Operations Manager ($85,000)
- Senior Level: Agricultural Director ($130,000+)
- Required Education: BS Agricultural Science
- Certifications: CCA, CPAg