Admissions FAQ

Palmer College is The Trusted Leader in Chiropractic Education®. As a student, you’ll experience excellence in teaching and real-world chiropractic preparation while earning the prestigious Palmer Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Most importantly, you’ll receive a great value.

You’ll experience an academic program that blends theory with hands-on practice, delivered by faculty who are recognized as the best in the profession. Plus, Palmer’s home to the world’s leading chiropractic research program. The question really is why wouldn’t you choose Palmer?

Students attend classes year-round and finish their studies in just over three years. The program is 10 trimesters long at the Main Campus and at Palmer Florida. Learn more about our academic programs.

The D.C. program is a rigorous, graduate-level, first-professional program. Students learn from supportive faculty who are committed to the success of their students. You’ll also have access to academic counseling, study groups and tutoring. Palmer College is sensitive to the academic needs of students and works with all students who request assistance.

Tuition costs average $40,248 per year. Learn more about tuition and cost attendance.

The primary source of financial aid is in the form of student-loan programs, however, Palmer College also offers scholarships, grants and employment opportunities through the U.S. Department of Education.

Don’t just look at the price tag, chiropractic school is an investment in your future and Palmer’s cost-of-attendance is competitively priced. Palmer College has one of the lowest federal student-loan default rates among all colleges and universities in the nation – not just chiropractic institutions – which means Palmer alumni are successful and are able to pay back their loans.

There’s usually a $100 non-refundable application, however, we’re able to waive that fee for some applicants. Contact your Admissions Counselor for more details.

The average salary for a chiropractor varies based on geography, years of experience and position. For example, solo practitioners typically experience a higher income than associates. Salary data can be found at Salary.com or the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Palmer’s D.C. program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). Palmer is also institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Both the CCE and HLC are accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Palmer College participates in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program to the fullest extent, offering a year of full tuition to eligible veterans.

Palmer’s Main Campus and Palmer Florida enroll students in the spring, summer and fall.

You can explore each campus by taking part in our campus visit program (you may even qualify for travel reimbursement). Experience it for yourself and visit campus today.

Our Admissions Counselors meet with students on campuses and at off-site events throughout the year. You can learn more about our visits and events here.

While it isn’t an official education requirement for admission (except at Palmer Florida), we recommend students finish a bachelor’s degree prior to entering the Doctor of Chiropractic program. Some individual state licensing boards require a bachelor’s degree to practice. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree are awarded priority seating at Palmer Florida, as a bachelor’s degree is required to graduate from the D.C. program on that campus.

Despite that, a specific major isn’t required. Many of our students choose pre-health, biology, chemistry, exercise science/exercise physiology, kinesiology or pre-med as their majors, but Palmer College students also come with backgrounds as varied as Business, English and even History.

View our prerequisite requirements here, and check out our options for accelerated pathways that can save you time and tuition!

You may qualify to save up to a year’s worth of time and tuition through our Bachelor of Science Completion degree program.

On Palmer’s Main Campus, the Department of Undergraduate Studies offers a Bachelor of Science completion degree in General Science to aid Doctor of Chiropractic applicants in finishing prerequisites and prepare them for the D.C. program. Some states require the completion of a bachelor’s degree before a D.C. can be licensed. Current D.C. students use this program to finish their bachelor’s degree if they haven’t already done so. Most classes are upper level, three credit hours each, and start in mid-afternoon to mesh with D.C. class schedules. All courses are offered on Palmer’s trimester schedule.

This program also offers science prerequisites such as Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, and Neurology to meet the needs of incoming students lacking science prerequisites.

Palmer has joint-admissions programs and educational agreements with dozens of schools around the nation, which could save you time and money. But you can attend any accredited college of your choice in preparation for Palmer College.

We encourage you to contact an Admissions Counselor to discuss your plans. Based upon your individual situation, your counselor will be able to advise you one-on-one and provide the best information.

Palmer’s Main Campus is located in Davenport, Iowa. The branch campus, Palmer Florida, is located in Port Orange, Florida.

Both campuses feature the three phases of our curriculum:

1. Life sciences: Anatomy, Embryology, Pathology, Physiology, etc.
2. Clinical sciences: Radiology, Technique, Diagnosis
3. Outpatient clinics, business management and professional development curriculum

Both campuses are welcoming and offer early hands-on activities within the curriculum. Learn more about each of our campuses.

The student/faculty ratio at Palmer is 15:1 which means you’ll experience strong academic support throughout your program.

The Palmer D.C. curriculum includes extensive coursework in the basic sciences, chiropractic technique, chiropractic philosophy and business management. In addition, Palmer College provides preceptorship and internship programs, as well as specialized programs in sports, pediatrics and other fields to help you gain hands-on experience caring for patients.

Palmer’s Academic Success and Wellness resources are dedicated to promoting the welfare and success of all Palmer students by providing a number of academic-support services like tutoring, study strategy sessions, academic advising and wellness support. On-site and online resources are available to support your academic success.

Some states require a Doctor of Chiropractic to prove they hold a bachelor’s degree for licensure. Be sure to check with the licensing body or bodies in the state or states where you plan to practice to ensure you understand their requirements. The Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards maintains a directory of the licensure requirements for each state and certain countries.

Yes! Your success after graduation is important to us. That’s why Palmer College offers students and graduates complimentary business training and career-networking services through the Palmer Center for Business Development (PCBD).

Through the PCBD, students can build their resume, practice interviewing, attend business-training events, research practice locations and even get help developing a business plan. Plus, the proprietary Palmer CareerNetwork helps students and graduates find job openings, associate opportunities, and practices and equipment for sale.

Palmer College is committed to helping students and graduates achieve their professional goals.

Every U.S state and territory, as well as many countries around the world, have licensing boards that require applicants to pass individual state board exams.

In the U.S. there are four sections of National Board exams. All 50 states require a passing score on these exams to obtain a license to practice. In addition, some states, including Florida, require a background check prior to licensure. (Palmer College also requires a background check as part of its admission process. Complete information about this process can be found in our catalog.)

We strongly encourage you to visit the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Board website, which provides specific information about licensure requirements based upon the area in which you wish to practice. Understanding these requirements before you begin on your path to a chiropractic career is a very good idea.