In the heart of the Midwest, Iowa is known for its strong academic and health care institutions, making it a solid option for medical education. Its cities, including Iowa City and the Des Moines metro area, offer supportive environments for students to live and learn. Iowa has dozens of colleges and universities, including public universities, private colleges, community colleges, and health sciences institutions.
If you’d like to pursue a career as a physician and live in Iowa or are moving there soon, there are two main medical school options in the state: the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, the state’s only LCME-accredited allopathic medical school, and Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, the nation’s second-oldest osteopathic medical college. These schools grant M.D. and D.O. degrees, respectively. To help you decide which option may be best for you, we’ll cover what they offer below.
Top Medical Schools in Iowa
1. University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is home to the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine. The college’s history traces back to 1870, when the medical department gained approval as the state’s official university medical college. In the 2026–2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, Carver College of Medicine was listed as Tier 2 for research and Tier 3 for primary care. Some of its health programs ranked even higher, including physician assistant studies and services at No. 1 and physical therapy and rehabilitation science at No. 2.
The M.D. curriculum includes an 18-month preclinical Phase I, followed by a 12-month core clinical Phase II and an advanced clinical Phase III. Carver College of Medicine also offers combined degree programs that allow students to pair the M.D. with an M.B.A., M.P.H., J.D., or Ph.D.
For the 2025 M.D. entering class, Carver College of Medicine reported 4,527 applications, a class size of 152 students, a mean MCAT score of 514, and 103 Iowa residents. Applicants to the M.D. program must be U.S. citizens, documented permanent residents, or have asylum status. They must also have a bachelor’s degree or be in a degree program with the expectation of receiving the degree before enrollment.
2. Des Moines University
Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences was founded in 1898 and is dedicated to medicine and the health sciences. It is the nation’s second-oldest osteopathic medical college and offers a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or D.O., program.
The D.O. program is four years long, including two years of clinical rotations. The curriculum is divided into preclinical and clinical phases. In the first year, students study the core scientific principles that underpin medicine. In the second year, students follow an integrated organ-system approach that blends basic and clinical sciences, along with simulated patient encounters, laboratory experiences, and small-group discussions.
In addition to the D.O. degree, DMU offers doctoral programs in biomedical sciences, medical science, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and podiatric medicine. Its master’s programs include anatomy, biomedical sciences, health care administration, physician assistant studies, and public health. The Master of Health Care Administration and Master of Public Health programs are offered online. D.O. students may also pursue dual-degree options in health care administration, public health, anatomy, or biomedical sciences.
DMU’s admitted D.O. classes average about 225 students from more than 32 states. Successful applicants typically present cumulative GPAs around 3.7, science GPAs near 3.6, and average MCAT scores around 507. Only U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents are eligible for admission to the D.O. program.
While you have only two main options for earning an M.D. or D.O. degree in Iowa, these institutions provide strong medical education and a supportive environment for future physicians. You can also find diverse opportunities, such as osteopathic medical training, clinical rotations, and combined-degree programs. Review the schools listed above carefully, and make sure you apply early according to each program’s admissions timeline.
We hope this article on the top medical schools in Iowa was helpful. Make sure also to check out our Study in the USA and Available Courses for International Students for more information about studying in the country!
