Choosing the right chiropractic college is one of the most important decisions an aspiring Doctor of Chiropractic will make. Your choice will shape your education, influence your career path, and determine how prepared you are to launch your own practice. With multiple accredited chiropractic schools across the United States, it’s essential to evaluate each option based on the factors that matter most.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top 10 factors students should consider when selecting a chiropractic college—and show how Palmer College of Chiropractic consistently ranks as a top choice across all categories.
Whether you’re looking for affordability, academic excellence, clinical experience, or entrepreneurial support, Palmer College offers a comprehensive chiropractic education that prepares students for long-term success.
1. Accreditation and Licensing Preparation
Why it matters: Accreditation ensures your chiropractic degree meets national standards and qualifies you for licensure in all 50 states.
What to look for: Make sure the college is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), the recognized accrediting body for chiropractic programs in the U.S.
Palmer College Advantage: Palmer College is fully accredited by the CCE and has a long-standing reputation for preparing students to pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exams. In fact, 91% of Palmer graduates passed all four parts of the NBCE exams within six months of graduation in 2024 – exceeding the national average.
2. Chiropractic School Costs: Tuition, Scholarships and Financial Aid
Why it matters: Lower tuition and generous scholarships can reduce student debt and increase financial flexibility after graduation.
What to look for: Compare tuition rates, cost of living, and available scholarships.
Palmer College Advantage: Palmer offers one of the most affordable chiropractic programs in the country. The college awards approximately $4 million in scholarships annually, including merit-based, need-based, and veteran-specific aid. Learn more about financial aid at Palmer.
Pro Tip: Palmer offers accelerated learning pathways that allow students to save up to a full year of time and tuition! Explore our accelerated pathways.
3. What the Best Chiropractic Programs Teach: Academic Curriculum and Training
Why it matters: A rigorous curriculum ensures you’re well-prepared for clinical practice and board exams.
What to look for: Evaluate the depth of science courses, technique training, and integration of chiropractic philosophy.
Palmer College Advantage: Palmer’s Doctor of Chiropractic program curriculum blends foundational sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathology) with hands-on technique instruction and chiropractic philosophy. Students complete the Doctor of Chiropractic program in just over three years (10 trimesters), attending year-round.
Every Palmer student masters the Palmer Package – a foundation of four essential techniques: Diversified, Gonstead, Thompson and Recoil. Our curriculum also introduces instrument-assisted and table-assisted techniques, with elective courses available for those looking to expand their expertise even further.
Plus, in the past decade, Palmer College has invested $150 million into campus improvements to develop modern spaces for high-tech learning and student life that will prepare you for success.
4. Chiropractic Clinical Training: Why Hands-On Experience Matters
Why it matters: Real-world experience is essential for building confidence and clinical competency.
What to look for: Access to on-campus clinics, early patient interaction, and diverse clinical settings.
Palmer College Advantage: Palmer students deliver over 126,000 patient visits annually. Clinical training begins early, and students rotate through Palmer’s state-of-the-art clinics, which make up the largest chiropractic clinic network in the world. Students gain experience in diagnosis, chiropractic adjustments and other treatments, and patient communication.
Additional training opportunities include off-site preceptorships and rotations through the Department of Defense / Veterans Affairs (DoD/VA) Student Rotation Program, offering invaluable, real-world experience.
5. Chiropractic Career Success: Graduation Rates & Job Placement
Why it matters: Graduation rates, board pass rates, and post-graduation employment reflect the school’s effectiveness.
What to look for: High graduation rates and support for job placement.
Palmer College Advantage: Palmer boasts a 93% graduation rate, and 90% of Palmer students and alumni report they would recommend Palmer. The college also offers career services, resume workshops, and networking events to help students transition into practice. The Palmer College CareerNetwork posts 3,600 chiropractic jobs annually – that’s more jobs than graduates! Palmer graduates have many career options available, including private practice, working in a multidisciplinary health care system, as a sports chiropractor, or in specialties including family and pediatric.
6. Learn the Business of Chiropractic Practice Management
Why it matters: Most chiropractors own or co-own their practice. Business skills are essential for success.
What to look for: Courses in practice management, marketing, billing, and entrepreneurship.
Palmer College Advantage: Palmer integrates business development into its curriculum, teaching students how to launch, manage, and grow their own chiropractic clinic. From marketing strategies to financial planning, students graduate with the tools to become successful entrepreneurs.
Palmer students have access to the Palmer Center for Business Development (PCBD), which complements Palmer’s business curriculum, at no charge. In addition to business training, Palmer’s Career Development Coordinators help students with career preparation, including developing resumes and cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and coaching them with networking strategies.
7. Best Chiropractic School Locations: Davenport, Iowa and Port Orange, Florida
Why it matters: Your environment affects your quality of life, cost of living, and clinical opportunities.
What to look for: Geographic flexibility, climate preferences, and access to diverse patient populations.
Palmer College Advantage: Palmer offers two campuses:
Davenport, Iowa
Palmer’s Main Campus is located in Davenport, Iowa, which is part of the Quad Cities, a diverse metro area that straddles the Iowa and Illinois borders along the Mississippi River.
Just a short walk down the hill from our campus, you can catch a minor league baseball game at Modern Woodmen Park, pick up local produce from the farmer’s market, or hang out with friends at a local brewery.
Port Orange, Florida
At Palmer Florida, you’ll find miles of pristine beaches just minutes from campus, countless outdoor and recreational opportunities, and a wide variety of professional sports and entertainment venues like the Daytona International Speedway, Jackie Robinson Ballpark and the Peabody Auditorium.
This geographic diversity allows students to choose a location that fits their lifestyle and career goals.
8. Learning from the Best: Faculty & Mentorship in Chiropractic Education
Why it matters: Experienced faculty and mentors enhance learning and provide career guidance.
What to look for: Low student-to-faculty ratios, faculty credentials, and mentorship programs.
Palmer College Advantage: Palmer’s faculty are mentors who invest in your growth. Palmer maintains a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized instruction. Faculty members include leading researchers, clinicians, and educators who lead the profession in chiropractic publications and conference presentations.
9. Chiropractic Research Opportunities: Advancing the Profession
Why it matters: Research experience strengthens clinical reasoning and opens doors to academic careers.
What to look for: Access to research centers, funding, and publication opportunities.
Palmer College Advantage: Palmer is home to the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research—the largest and most well-funded chiropractic research facility in the world. Students can participate in NIH-funded studies and contribute to evidence-based chiropractic care.
10. Chiropractic Alumni Connections: Palmer’s Global Network
Why it matters: A strong alumni network helps with job placement, mentorship, and professional growth.
What to look for: Alumni success, professional influence, and networking opportunities.
Palmer College Advantage: As the first and largest chiropractic college in the world, Palmer has the largest and most influential alumni network in the profession. Palmer’s more than 30,000 graduates practice in all 50 states and dozens of countries, often holding leadership roles in chiropractic associations and regulatory boards.
Final Thoughts: Why Palmer College of Chiropractic is the Smart Choice
When evaluating chiropractic colleges, students should consider more than just location or cost. The best chiropractic school will offer a comprehensive education, strong clinical training, business preparation, and a supportive community.
Palmer College of Chiropractic excels across all 10 key factors:
- Accredited and respected nationwide
- Affordable tuition with generous scholarships
- Rigorous academic and clinical curriculum
- High graduation and board pass rates
- Strong support for practice ownership
- Geographic flexibility with two campuses
- Experienced faculty and mentorship
- Leading chiropractic research center
- Powerful alumni network and global reputation
Whether you’re drawn to private practice, sports chiropractic, integrative health, or academic research, Palmer provides the foundation to thrive.
From the first adjustment to groundbreaking research that continues to advance the field, Palmer College’s legacy is one of innovation and leadership.
Ready to take the next step? Explore Palmer’s admissions process, campus options, and scholarship opportunities. Your future in chiropractic starts here.
