There are a handful of veterinary colleges in the U.S. that prepare students for a life of working with animals. Spread out across the country, chances are there is a quality school somewhere near where you are.
Why Choose A Career As A Veterinarian?
So many job opportunities are available for veterinarians that you would have the freedom to focus on the aspect of helping animals that is the most important to you. Pursuing further education in areas such as environmental medicine, molecular biology, toxicology, and laboratory animal medicine means that your skills will be in-demand. As a veterinarian, you would have an opportunity to work in fields such as international disease control, aquaculture, food production, and comparative medical research.
Top 5 Veterinary Colleges
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of California | Davis, California |
| 2 | Tufts University | North Grafton, Massachusetts |
| 3 | University of Florida | Gainesville, Florida |
| 4 | Mercy College | Dobbs Ferry, New York |
| 5 | Ohio State University | Colombus, Ohio |
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for veterinarians is expected to rise 16% between now and 2029. This is fast compared to the increasing demand in many other industries.
We’ve gathered some of the best veterinary colleges you can find in the U.S and ranked them based on tuition and the student-to-teacher ratio. Here is the list we have compiled of the top 15 best veterinary colleges.
Best 15 Best Veterinary Colleges
The University of California
At the University of California, Davis, students can enroll in the School of Veterinary Medicine to earn a Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine. Aside from the curriculum, there is a heavy emphasis on research. Students perform research on subjects that include infectious disease epidemiology, human and animal health leadership, and ecosystem health.
Students in this program have the option of taking electives like risk analysis, disease ecology, zoonoses, diagnostic test evaluation, and spatial epidemiology.
School Overview
Tufts University
Tufts University offers a Master of Science in Animals and Public Policy through their Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. The focus of the program is the relationship between animals and humans and the way this relationship affects communities and their public policies. Students are also tasked with researching and evaluating the health and welfare of animals.
School Overview
University of Florida
The University of Florida offers a Master of Science in Veterinary Medical Sciences through its College of Veterinary Medicine. As part of the program, students can choose whether or not they complete a thesis prior to graduation. Students can also be matched up with a Clinical Residency Program.
School Overview
Mercy College
At Mercy College, students can study for a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology. They are fully accredited by the AVMA-CVTEA (have been since 1989) and is one of the few accredited programs to offer a BS degree in Veterinary Technology. The school also has a high VTNE pass rate. They have two externships that students complete in their senior year in the program – Externship I is 360 hours in small animal general practice; Externship II is 360 hours in a specialty or referral hospital, zoo, aquarium or research facility.
They have a Global Veterinary Experience course where they take a group of 10 students abroad to volunteer veterinary services for wildlife and domestic species in underserved areas. Some veterinary technology program courses are built into the biology major animal sciences track. The program excels due to their commitment to high standards and teaching to the profession and not to an exam. Graduates are highly sought after in the metropolitan area and often have multiple job offers prior to graduation.
School Overview
Ohio State University
At Ohio State University the College of Veterinary Medicine has three different departments of study; Biosciences, Clinical Sciences, and Preventative Medicine. The focus of the Biosciences department is anatomy, cancer, infectious diseases, and clinical and anatomic pathology. The Clinical Sciences department works closely with the Veterinary Medical Center to train students in real-world situations. The Preventative Medicine department encompasses studies in microbiology, production and clinical medicine, parasitology, and immunology.
School Overview
University of Wisconsin
At the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Veterinary Medicine students can earn a Master’s degree through the Comparative Biomedical Sciences program. This program is a collaboration between the Graduate School and the Department of Pathobiological Sciences.
There are several areas within this program that students can choose to focus on, including Genomics, Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Neuroscience, and Oncology.
School Overview
University of Minnesota
The College of Veterinary Medicine at University of Minnesota offers a Master’s in Veterinary Medicine. Students enrolled in this program have four concentrations they can choose from; Ecosystem Health, Infectious and Zoonotic Disease, Small and Large Animal Clinical Science, and Population Medicine.
The program heavily emphasizes genetic research, as well as research on the health and welfare of animals. Students also study new treatment methods to help animals inflicted with cancer.
School Overview
University of Arizona
Students can earn a Veterinary Science degree from the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences at the University of Arizona. The program focuses on anatomy and physiology, animal population care, and the relationship between humans and animals.
School Overview
Kansas State University
Students can earn a Master’s Degree in Veterinary Biomedical Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. Within the program, there are three sub-disciplines students can choose to study. They can choose from Pathobiology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Clinical Sciences.
This program is run by faculty that have performed extensive research on Transboundary Diseases, Translational Medicine, and Food Animal Health and Management, among others.
School Overview
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a Master’s of Science in Veterinary Clinical Medicine. While enrolled in this program, students complete a clinical residency that prepares them to be certified in the field. Students have many choices in specialties, including Emergency and Critical Care (Small Animals,) Dermatology, Equine Internal Medicine, and Rural Animal Health Management.
Students also have the option of completing a residency in zoological and aquatic animal medicine which is a joint effort between the college and both the John G Shedd Aquarium and the Brookfield Zoo.
School Overview
Purdue University West Lafayette-West
At the West Lafayette campus of Purdue University, students can earn a Master of Science in Veterinary Clinical Sciences through the school’s College of Veterinary Medicine. The only area of concentration offered in this program is Clinical and Translational Research. When it comes to Translational Research students focus on basic clinical and science fields that include diagnostic imaging, theriogenology, and cardiology, among others.
In the school’s Center For Comparative Translational Research students can utilize four facilities; Pre-Clinical Research, Clinical Research, Histology and Digital Imaging, and Translational Pharmacology.
School Overview
Colorado State University
The Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences has been a leader in veterinary education for more than 100 years. Continually ranked among the best in the country, the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program is a pioneer in teaching veterinary ethics, clinical communication skills, and practitioner wellness. Four academic departments contribute faculty expertise to our DVM program, providing in-depth scientific and medical knowledge that sets our program apart from other veterinary schools.
*Additional fees may apply. Visit here for a full breakdown: https://financialaid.colostate.edu/cost-of-attendance/
School Overview
Louisiana State University
At the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, students can earn a Master’s in Biomedical and Veterinary Medical Sciences. When they enroll in the program they can choose from three different departments; Pathobiological Sciences, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, and Comparative Biomedical Sciences.
No matter what students choose they must complete a thesis in order to graduate.
School Overview
Oregon State University
Oregon State University offers a Master’s degree from the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine in Comparative Health Sciences. The program encompasses not only classroom learning but also teaching and participating in local outreach activities. Students also participate in numerous series of seminars. At this college, students have as much input into the program as the faculty and staff do, setting it apart from other schools.
School Overview
University of Missouri
At the University of Missouri, students can earn a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. The program is run by the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, certifying all graduating students in this area. Students complete research projects on subjects such as small animal medicine and surgery, cell and molecular biology, and nuclear medicine.
School Overview
How We Rank Schools
We took the per semester tuition rate for each school and assigned it a value of up to 50 points for the lowest priced tuition. We then did the same thing with the student-to-teacher ratio, with the best ratios receiving the highest score. By adding those two numbers together, we get the ranking for each school.
We strive to rank each school using accurate information. However, if you work for one of the schools on our list and feel we ranked it wrong, please contact us so we can correct it.
