Veterinarians help us keep our pets healthy, but they also do much more. Veterinarians are also responsible for a variety of animals, including food animals and zoo animals.
Top Veterinary Schools, Colleges, and Universities
There are 33 accredited veterinary schools in the United States. Below, we've listed our top picks to help you find the right one.
All programs listed below are accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and are members of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC).
1. North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University is a public research university in Raleigh, North Carolina. It offers graduate veterinary programs through its College of Veterinary Medicine.
The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program is made up of three years of coursework and one year of clinical rotations. There are dozens of clinical rotation options, such as:
- Anesthesia
- Equine Emergency and Critical Care
- Exotic Animal Medicine
- Food Animal Diagnostics for Disease Diagnosis, Control, and Population Surveillance
The college also offers a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in comparative biomedical sciences. Seven concentrations are offered, including:
- cell biology
- immunology
- pharmacology
- population and global health
While no undergraduate degree programs are offered by the college, undergraduate students can take advantage of the Veterinary Professions Advising Center (VetPAC) and other opportunities.
2. University of California, Davis
The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is a public research university in Davis, California. Its veterinary medicine program offers a DVM program, as well as other graduate programs.
The first three years of the DVM program are for classroom learning. It includes courses such as:
- Advanced Clinical Skills and Hospital Operations
- Immunology/Hematology/Coagulation
- Pharmacology/Nutrition/Toxicology
- Professional & Clinical Skills
The fourth year is primarily for clinical rotations and externships. The vet med department also offers post-graduate opportunities for residencies, fellowships, and internships.
Graduate students can also participate in the Master of Preventative Veterinary Medicine program, a one- to two-year program that's open to veterinarians and other medical professionals.
3. University of Florida
The University of Florida is a public research university in Gainesville, Florida. It's part of the State University System of Florida and offers veterinary programs through its College of Veterinary Medicine.
The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program takes four years to complete. It's broken into three phases:
- Phase I: the first year, in which students gain a foundational education in the basic sciences.
- Phase II: the second year builds on phase one and introduces students to treating and diagnosing all species.
- Phase III: years three and four, which are made up of advanced core courses, elective courses, and clinical clerkships.
Students can specialize their education by participating in one of the college's certificate programs. There are four programs available:
- aquatic animal health
- food animal
- shelter medicine
- veterinary business management
Over the last five years, the university's pass rate for the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) has ranged from 94% to 100%.
4. University of Georgia
The University of Georgia (UGA) is a public research university based in Athens, Georgia. It offers eleven-degree programs through its College of Veterinary Medicine.
The DVM program is a four-year program. It includes courses such as:
- Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine
- Small Animal and Large Animal Basic Surgical Techniques
- Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology
- Veterinary Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology
The fourth year is spent in clinical rotations, and students have dozens of options for their rotation departments. Students can also choose specialties in:
- equine/food and fiber animal
- mixed animal
- small animal
- specialty focus
Other graduate degrees offered by the UGA's College of Veterinary Medicine include:
- Master of Avian Medicine
- Master of Avian Health and Medicine
- Master of Food Animal Medicine
- Master's and/or PhD in comparative biomedical sciences
- PhD in integrative physiology and pharmacology
- PhD in infectious diseases
At the undergraduate level, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in biomedical physiology or certificates in health or infectious diseases.
5. University of Wisconsin-Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public research university in Madison, Wisconsin. It offers graduate programs through its School of Veterinary Medicine.
The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program is a four-year program. The first three years are classroom learning and are made up of two semesters each.
The fourth year begins immediately after the third year concludes and is 12 months long. It's primarily made up of clinical rotations.
The school also offers a Master of Science and PhD program in comparative biomedical sciences. The programs include areas of focus such as:
- genomics
- infectious disease
- molecular and cellular biology
- virology
Several dual degree options are available for DVM students, as well, such as a combination DVM and a comparative biomedical sciences degree.
FAQs About Veterinary Schools, Colleges, and Universities
Below, you'll find the answers to some frequently asked questions about veterinary schools.
What Degree Do I Need to Become a Veterinarian?
To work as a veterinarian, you'll need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
Most students earn their undergraduate degree in fields like animal science or biology before beginning veterinary school.
Can I Specialize as a Veterinarian?
Many veterinary programs, including some listed above, offer opportunities for students to specialize.
They may do this by allowing students to choose a portion of their clinical rotations, offering certificates, or offering concentrations.
Can I Earn a Veterinarian Degree Online?
While some portions of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree may be available online, fully online programs are not available as in-person labs and clinical rotations are necessary.
Find Veterinary Schools, Colleges, and Universities
The United States is home to several excellent veterinary medicine schools. Check out our top picks above to help you narrow the field today.
