Pre-Med / Biology Degree in Des Moines, IA — Salary & ROI 2026
Pre-Med / Biology degree analysis for Des Moines, IA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$0
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$0
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
N/A
in Des Moines
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Pre-Med / Biology in Des Moines, IA Overview
Des Moines, Iowa (pop. 214,133) has 10 colleges offering Pre-Med / Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Pre-Med / Biology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in . The adjusted starting salary in Des Moines is approximately $0.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$8,977/yr
Private Tuition
$38,388/yr
Room & Board
$8,658/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,739/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
56%
Pre-Med / Biology Salary in Des Moines (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Des Moines's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Pre-Med / Biology salary: $0 starting, $0 mid-career, $0 senior level.Des Moines adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Pre-Med / Biology ROI Calculator for Des Moines
Estimate your return on investment for a Pre-Med / Biology degree using local Des Moines tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,977 | Private avg: $38,388
Des Moines avg aid: $9,739/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$70,540
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$-32,200
vs HS diploma in Des Moines
ROI Payback Period
N/A
to break even
Lifetime Return in Des Moines
$-70,540
Lifetime earnings premium ($0) minus total education cost ($70,540)
Student Loan Payoff for Pre-Med / Biology in Des Moines
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Des Moines for Pre-Med / Biology
Drake University
private
$45,520/yr
$182,080 total
Grand View University
private
$31,256/yr
$125,024 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Des Moines Area Community College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Pre-Med / Biology in Des Moines
Des Moines offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Pre-Med / Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Des Moines Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Pre-Med / Biology Job Titles
Pre-Med / Biology in Nearby Iowa Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA
$0 starting · COL 100
4 colleges
Davenport, IA
$0 starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Sioux City, IA
$0 starting · COL 84
2 colleges
Iowa City, IA
$0 starting · COL 95.2
3 colleges
West Des Moines, IA
$0 starting · COL 97.5
3 colleges
Ankeny, IA
$0 starting · COL 95.8
3 colleges
Waterloo, IA
$0 starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Ames, IA
$0 starting · COL 87
8 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Des Moines
Pharmacy
$46K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$46K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$63K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$46K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$46K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$46K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$46K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Pre-Med / Biology Degree in Des Moines — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Pre-Med / Biology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Des Moines.