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Veterinarian Major Colleges
According to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, there are currently 30 vet colleges in the US that are accredited or have accreditation pending. These veterinary major colleges include both private and public institutions. The table below provides insight into what colleges have veterinary programs and allows you to compare the details of these veterinarians colleges' offerings. This is a partial list of what colleges have veterinary programs.
| School Name | Location | Institution Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | 4-year, Private |
| University of California-Davis | Davis, CA | 4-year, Public |
| Texas A&M University | College Station, TX | 4-year, Public |
| Ohio State University | Columbus, OH | 4-year, Public |
| Purdue Global | West Lafayette, IN | 4-year, Public |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 4-year, Public |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | 4-year, Public |
| Washington State University | Pullman, WA | 4-year, Public |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 4-year, Private |
| Oklahoma State University | Stillwater, OK | 4-year, Public |
Source: The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Best Veterinary Colleges
In 2019, U.S. News and World Report created a list of the best vet schools in the U.S. The schools were ranked using survey answers from peer institutions that rated schools a 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding). A few of the best veterinary colleges with veterinary programs, according to this list, include:
- University of California-Davis
- Cornell University
- Colorado State University
- North Carolina State University
- Ohio State University (Tied for #4 in veterinary medicine)
Veterinarian colleges typically require applicants to have biology, chemistry, animal science, math, humanities, and social sciences. Colleges with veterinary programs like the above expect most applicants to have a bachelor's degree. These veterinary colleges in the USA help prepare students for licensing. Prospective veterinarians in all states must complete an accredited veterinary program and pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination. The accredited colleges listed above are good colleges for veterinarians to experience classroom, laboratory, clinical work, and clinical rotations.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
All of the schools discussed above offer a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree program. Veterinarian schooling can begin with online classes and accomplishing a Bachelor's Degree in Veterinary Medicine, but a DVM is needed to become a licensed veterinarian.
There are a few online veterinarian degree options, but complete DVM programs are only available on-campus due to the hands-on clinical requirements and training. These degree programs typically take four years to complete, with the final year being used for clinical rotations. Some of these programs may offer specific clinical rotations for various pathways or specializations in the field, such as exotic pets, small animals, equine, zoo, and wildlife. Other coursework may include topics in:
- Genetics
- Parasitology
- Animal health
- Animal anatomy
- Pathology
Veterinarian Career Overview
| Degree Required | Doctoral degree |
| Other Requirements | Licensure |
| Annual Median Salary (2020)* | $99,250 |
| Estimated Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 16% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Veterinarians are like physicians for pets, livestock, and other animals and help care for animals' health and medical needs. As mentioned, some veterinarians may specialize in various areas of the field, such as food safety inspection veterinarians or companion animal veterinarians. Veterinarians may research along with practicing medicine to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses in animals. Other duties for veterinarians may include:
- Examining animals' overall health and any injury
- Administering vaccinations
- Conducting and interpreting medical tests
- Using medical equipment
- Operating on animals
- Educating animal owners
- Euthanizing animals as needed
The majority of veterinarians work full-time, and long hours are typical as they may need to work nights or weekends to respond to animals' needs. Some veterinarians, such as large animal vets, may need to travel to examine animals. There is also some risk of injury in the field, as scared or hurt animals may bite, scratch, and more.
Job Outlook and Salary
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that veterinarians have a job outlook increase of 16% from 2019 to 2029. This rate is much faster than the national average and is contributed to a rise in pet-related spending over the years. This job growth equates to over 14,000 new veterinary positions over the decade.
The BLS also reported that the median salary for veterinarians in 2020 was $99,250 per year.
