The best vet schools in the U.S. – 2024
By value for money, the best vet schools in 2024 are Purdue University, Washington State University, and Texas A&M University, College Station.
The average debt at graduation for vet schools in the U.S. is $165,740 according to NCES data.
According to the same source, the average veterinarian is making $101,764 just 4 years after graduation.
It’s smart to go to the cheapest vet school you get into.
Veterinarians play a crucial role in society. Besides keeping our furry friends healthy and happy, they also conduct research, work to improve public health, and inspect animal and farm facilities for compliance with health standards.
Many people have dreamed about becoming veterinarians since they were very small. Unfortunately, veterinary school is very, very expensive. And while veterinarians make good money, it can be hard to know how much student debt is just too much.
To help you make an informed decision, mitigate your student loans, and become a financially secure doggy doctor, we’ve ranked the best veterinary schools by value for money.
This guide will help you become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD – they’re the same) without breaking the bank.
The best veterinary schools – by value
The vet schools below provide the optimal combination of high earnings and low average debt at graduation. For more information on our ranking methodology, see the section below this list.
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Purdue is a large public research university in West Lafayette, Indiana. Founded in 1869, it is a major hub for research and higher education in the Midwest. Purdue University offers the best-value veterinary medicine program in the United States thanks to its relatively affordable costs and high salaries post-graduation.
Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine is home to a state-of-the-art new hospital that accommodates small animals, horses, and farm animals.
The DVM program features small class sizes, international learning experiences, research opportunities, community engagement, and more. Graduates of the program at Purdue go on to open private practices or work in public practice, corporate practice, industry public health, food resource management, wildlife conservation, and even marine biology.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 20.0
- Class size – 87
- Undergrad GPA – 3.7
- GRE – Not required
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Washington State University (WSU) is a public research institution in Pullman, a small college town outside of Spokane in the stunning Palouse region. Home to the only vet school in Washington State, WSU’s DVM program offers outstanding value for money. Because this vet school serves the entire region, residents of Montana and Idaho pay in-state tuition.
The College of Veterinary Medicine at WSU turned 125 years old this year, which is a testament to its long-standing academic reputation.
DVM program participants get hands-on experience through case-based exercises and work in real veterinary hospitals during their studies.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 14.8
- Class size – 131
- Undergrad GPA – 3.7
- GRE – Not required
Texas A & M University, College Station
College Station, Texas
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Texas A&M University (Texas A&M or TAMU) is a public research university in College Station, a small college town about an hour-and-a-half drive from Houston. It is one of the largest universities in the country and home to 1 of only 2 accredited vet schools in the state.
This highly prestigious College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M is one of the best in the country and the best in the South.
The DVM program at Texas A&M consists of 4 years – 3 years in the classroom and lab and 1 year of clinical rotations (mostly at the state-of-the-art Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital). Students choose from 5 tracks: companion animal, rural/mixed animal, equine, food animal, and alternative.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 6.8
- Class size – 174
- Undergrad GPA – 3.7
- GRE – Not required
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The University of Georgia (UGA or simply Georgia) is a public research university. The College of Veterinary Medicine is in Athens, a small town about a 1.5-hour drive away from Atlanta. UGA is home to a highly reputed veterinary school that offers excellent value for money.
The DVM program at UGA features a rigorous curriculum, with students already starting clinical rotations in their 3rd year. The 4th year begins immediately after Year 3 finishes (in early March) and continues in 2- or 3-week blocks that combine courses with clinical rotations.
Examples of clinical rotations include large animal surgery, dairy production medicine, small animal internal medicine, equine diagnostic imaging, and practice management.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 7.4
- Class size – 150
- Undergrad GPA – 3.7
- GRE – Required
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
North Carolina State University at Raleigh (referred to as North Carolina State, NC State or NCSU) is a large public research university. It is located in the state’s “Research Triangle” of Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Durham – so named for the high number of universities in the area.
The College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State offers a unique onsite teaching animal unit that is also a functioning farm.
The 4-year DVM program consists of 3 years of preclinical learning and 1 year of clinical learning. In their 4th year, students also choose 3 extramural experiences.
Students choose 1 of 10 focus areas: clinical scientist; epidemiology, public health, and public policy; equine practice; food animal, laboratory animal medicine; mixed animal practice; pathology; small animal practice; small and exotic animal medicine; and zoological medicine.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 20.2
- Class size – 99
- Undergrad GPA – 3.6
- GRE – Not required
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Iowa State University (Iowa State or ISU) is a public research university in Ames, a small college town close to Des Moines. It is home to an excellent College of Veterinary Medicine that provides good value for money.
Iowa State is home to the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center and a Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
Several study tracks are available for DVM students: the small animal option, the equine option, the food animal option, and the mixed animal option. 2nd and 3rd year students can pursue summer internships, thanks to which program participants have plenty of opportunities for hands-on practice, in addition to their 4th year clinical rotations. There is also a state-of-the-art clinical skills laboratory.
Residents of Nebraska can complete their first 2 years of vet school at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and finish the remainder of their education at Iowa State.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 13.0
- Class size – 162
- Undergrad GPA – 3.6
- GRE – Not required
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Auburn University (AU or Auburn) is a public research university in east-central Alabama. It is home to one of the state’s 2 vet schools.
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn has a small animal teaching hospital, a large animal teaching hospital, and a veterinary clinic. It also provides emergency services, including for injured birds of prey through the Raptor Center.
The DVM program at Auburn takes 4 years to complete, with students spending about 36 hours per week in the classroom or lab. The first year covers topics such as gross and microscopic anatomy, imaging, physiology, and related subjects. In the second year, students learn about immunology, infectious diseases, pathology, and body systems. Year 3 features a mix of courses and practicums, and year 4 is devoted to clinical rotations.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 9.4
- Class size – 131
- Undergrad GPA – 3.7
- GRE – Not required
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Oregon State University (OSU) is a public research university in Corvallis, a small town between Salem and Eugene. It is home to 1 of only 2 vet schools in the Pacific Northwest.
The Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine at OSU features both a teaching hospital and a diagnostic laboratory. It is a hub for research on animal medicine and public health.
Oregon State’s DVM program provides core training in comparative biology, medicine, and all primary clinical disciplines and domestic animal species. Students can also take electives such as zoo, exotics, wildlife medicine, marine sciences, clinical nutrition, and more. Interns and residents choose specialty disciplines such as internal medicine, surgery, cardiology, anesthesiology, oncology, and theriogenology.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 27.1
- Class size – 79
- Undergrad GPA – 3.6
- GRE – Not required
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison (Wisconsin, UW, or Madison) is a public research university in Madison, a small city in south-central Wisconsin that is also the state’s capital.
It is home to a School of Veterinary Medicine that is one of the best in the Midwest. In 2022-2023, it gave out over $2.5 million in student aid and received over 28,900 patients at the UW Veterinary Care Teaching Hospital.
The 4-year DVM program provides a broad overview of veterinary medicine, equipping students with the real-world skills they need to succeed. Graduates go on to work in private practice, academia, research, industry, the armed forces, government services, and more.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 22.8
- Class size – 96
- Undergrad GPA – 3.7
- GRE – Not required
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The University of Florida (Florida or UF) is a large public research university in Gainesville, a buzzing college town in the northern part of the state.
The UF College of Veterinary Medicine is the only vet school in Florida. It manages a small animal hospital, a large animal hospital, a pet emergency treatment service, and a veterinary hospital at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala. The College also conducts cutting-edge biomedical research.
The highly competitive DVM program at UF consists of 3 phases that span 4 years. In Phase I, students build a foundation in basic sciences and take an experiential course. In Phase II, students are introduced to the complexities of treating ailments that can affect all types of animals. In Phase III, students take advanced courses and start their clinical rotations.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 15.0
- Class size – 130
- Undergrad GPA – 3.5
- GRE – Not required
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Mississippi State University (MSU) is a public research university in east-central Mississippi, near the small college town of Starkville. It is home to the largest veterinary school under 1 roof in the entire country.
The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine has an animal health center, a veterinary specialty center, an animal emergency & referral center, an institute for marine mammal studies, and a diagnostic laboratory system consisting of 4 labs.
The DVM program at MSU is unique in that it provides 2 full years of mentored clinical education rather than just 1. Graduates go on to work in private practices, research laboratories, biomedical research, and more.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 12.4
- Class size – 114
- Undergrad GPA – 3.5
- GRE – Not required
University of Missouri, Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The University of Missouri (Mizzou or MU) is a public research university in Columbia, a college town in central Missouri, right between St. Louis and Kansas City.
The highly regarded College of Veterinary Medicine at Mizzou is the only vet school in the state.
Mizzou’s DVM program consists of 4 years: the first 2 years are mostly devoted to classroom and high-tech lab studies, while students spend the remaining 2 years mostly on clinical rotations in the colleges’ general and specialty clinics. Clinical rotations cover topics such as ophthalmology, cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, dentistry, community medicine, food animals, and equine medicine.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 13.6
- Class size – 126
- Undergrad GPA – 3.7
- GRE – Not required
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The University of Pennsylvania (usually referred to as Penn or UPenn) is a private Ivy League research institution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the fourth-oldest university in the U.S., and its name recognition and Ivy status confers considerable prestige.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine houses the famous New Bolton Center – one of the biggest large animal teaching veterinary clinics in the country. It is also home to the nation’s most respected equine surgical facilities and several diagnostic laboratories.
Penn Vet’s VMD curriculum takes a cross-disciplinary approach that encourages collaboration with practitioners and researchers. Students spend the first 2.5 years on the Penn Vet Core Curriculum and the last year and a half on clinical rotations. Students choose from among 4 academic majors: small animal, large animal, food animal, and equine.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 11.9
- Class size – 137
- Undergrad GPA – 3.6
- GRE – Not required
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Michigan State University (Michigan State or MSU) is a public university in East Lansing, Michigan, in the central part of the state.
The College of Veterinary Medicine at VMU offers a world-class vet education, engages in cutting-edge research, and employs talented veterinarians who put emerging therapies into practice. It is home to a large veterinary diagnostic laboratory and several animal hospitals.
During the 4-year DVM program at MSU, students spend 2 years doing coursework and labs, their 3rd year doing a combination of coursework and clinical “clerkships,” and their last year doing only clinical clerkships.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 17.4
- Class size – 115
- Undergrad GPA – 3.4
- GRE – Not required
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The University of Tennessee (UT or UT Knoxville) is a public research university in Knoxville, a town nestled in the beautiful Appalachian region.
The UT College of Veterinary Medicine is home to multiple state-of-the-art facilities, including the Avian, Exotic Animal and Zoological Medicine Hospital; the Charles and Julie Wharton Large Animal Hospital; a radiology and diagnostic imaging service; and the John and Ann Tickle Small Animal Hospital.
The DVM program at UT is a 4-year, 9-semester course. The first year is devoted to a science foundation, while the 2nd and 3rd years emphasize the study of diseases, their causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. In semesters 2 through 9, students choose from a wide array of electives, and clinical rotations are offered in the last 4 semesters.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 21.1
- Class size – 89
- Undergrad GPA – 3.8
- GRE – Not required
Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Ohio State University (Ohio State or OSU) is a public research university in Columbus, Ohio. It is one of the largest universities in the country by enrollment.
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State is home to 4 hospitals and a large animal practice. Its expert veterinarians provide care to over 78,000 animals per year.
Ohio State’s highly selective DVM program relies on the Competency-Based Veterinarian Education Framework, which ensures students have plenty of hands-on practice to apply in the real world. Clinical rotations are completed in year 4 of the program, and students can choose from among 24 rotation topics, including small animal critical care, equine surgery, theriogenology, farm animal medicine and surgery, and many more.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 15.9
- Class size – 165
- Undergrad GPA – 3.4
- GRE – Not required
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The University of Minnesota (UM) is a public research university with campuses throughout the Twin Cities. The College of Veterinary Medicine is in Saint Paul.
UM’s Veterinary Medical Center is home to a large animal hospital, the Lewis Small Animal Hospital, the Piper Equine Hospital, the West Metro Equine Practice, and a high-tech veterinary diagnostic laboratory. UM’s leading specialists have been serving the Upper Midwest region with cutting-edge care and technology for more than a century.
In the DVM program at UM, students spend the first 3 years studying the normal animal, the pathogenesis of disease, and the prevention and treatment of diseases in the classroom and lab. Students then spend 13 months on clinical rotations at the Veterinary Medical Center. More than 65 rotations are available, and students also have 10 weeks of externships off-campus.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 11.6
- Class size – 126
- Undergrad GPA – 3.7
- GRE – Not required
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Tufts University is a private research university in Massachusetts. The campus of its Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine is in North Grafton, a small town in the center of the state just outside of Worcester. It is the only vet school in New England.
Tufts houses numerous veterinary clinics and hospitals, including the Foster Hospital for Small Animals, a hospital for large animals, the Lerner Spay/Neuter Clinic, a veterinary field service, a wildlife clinic, and more.
The DVM program at Tufts is well regarded. The curriculum comprises 4 years, and students are encouraged to write a thesis. Clinical rotations, which take the case method approach, begin in the 3rd year but are mostly completed in the 4th year.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 11.4
- Class size – 103
- Undergrad GPA – 3.8
- GRE – Not required
Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Fort Collins, Colorado
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Colorado State University (CSU) is a public research university in Fort Collins, a small town in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains about an hour’s drive north of Denver.
The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at CSU bills itself as a “pioneer in teaching veterinary ethics, clinical communication skills, and practitioner wellness.” The teaching hospital has over 45,000 visits per year.
CSU’s DVM program is rich in hands-on, cased-based learning opportunities. Clinical rotations begin in year 3 of this 4-year program, while years 1 and 2 feature observation opportunities and laboratory courses. Students can choose from among 3 clinical tracks: small animal focus, large animal focus, or mixed animal focus. International, regional, and local externships are also available.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 11.5
- Class size – 156
- Undergrad GPA – 3.7
- GRE – Not required
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Kansas State University (KSU, Kansas State, or K-State) is a public research university in Manhattan, a small town in the vast Kansas prairies.
The K-State College of Veterinary Medicine features a Veterinary Health Center and a Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
Courses offered through the DVM program include veterinary parasitology, veterinary public health, problems in toxicology, cellular and molecular pathology, veterinary exfoliative cytology, and more.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 14.1
- Class size – 118
- Undergrad GPA – 3.4
- GRE – Not required
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, Alabama
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Tuskegee University (Tuskegee or TU) is a private university in east-central Alabama. Originally called the Tuskegee Institute, it is a historically Black university (HBCU). Tuskegee’s College of Veterinary Medicine is the only vet school on the campus of an HBCU. It has educated more than 70% of African American veterinarians in the country.
It is home to the Tuskegee Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which has a small animal hospital, a large animal hospital, an ambulatory service, and a diagnostic service. It also houses the Center for Food Animal Health, Food Safety, & Food Defense.
The Tuskegee DVM program is a 4-year course. Most clinical rotations take place in the 4th year. Students have the opportunity to study abroad in diverse locations like Egypt, Costa Rica, and Kenya through the Summer International Research Internship Program.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 4.5
- Class size – 69
- Undergrad GPA – 3.2
- GRE – Required
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Louisiana State University (usually referred to as LSU) is a public research university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The beautiful historic campus sits on a plateau overlooking the Mississippi River.
The LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital provides services such as anesthesiology, cardiology, clinical pathology community practice, emergency and critical care, internal medicine for pets and horses, surgery, theriogenology, and much more.
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s 4-year DVM program is divided into Phase I and Phase II. Phase I consists of labs and lectures, whereas Phase II consists of clinical rotations.
- Applicant to seat ratio – 12.0
- Class size – 120
- Undergrad GPA – 3.7
- GRE – Not required
How we ranked vet schools
We used our signature methodology to rank vet schools by value for money. Our methodology uses just 2 variables – average cost (or debt) and post-graduation earnings – to generate an economic score that reflects a program’s return on investment (ROI) value.
The lower the economic score, the better.
Programs with a good economic score provide the optimal combination of affordability and high earnings. Given the skyrocketing cost of college, we believe this is a better way to evaluate degree programs than murkier factors like prestige.
Debt refers to the average total debt at graduation taken on by program participants to pay for their DVM. It does not include undergraduate student debt.
Earnings refers to the average yearly earnings of program graduates, 4 years after leaving school.
All cost and earnings data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics’ IPEDS tool, a primary government source on economic outcomes of degree programs.
Data on vet schools’ applicant-to-seat ratio, class size, and average GPA comes from the AAVMC, an official association of veterinary medicine colleges.
Programs we couldn’t rank
Unfortunately, not all degree programs have disclosed data to the NCES.
While complete data on economic outcomes is available for the 22 vet schools above, others are missing data. Vet schools with incomplete data that we therefore couldn’t rank include:
- University of Arizona
- University of California, Davis
- University of Illinois Urbana, Champaign
- Virginia Tech / University of Maryland (they share a vet school)
- Cornell University
- Midwestern University
- Oklahoma State University
- Lincoln Memorial University
- Long Island University
- Texas Tech University
Vet school accreditation
To become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, you must attend a vet school accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) All vet schools mentioned in this article are accredited.
How many vet schools are there in the US?
There are 32 AVMA-accredited vet schools in the US. A 33rd program, at Utah State University, is scheduled to open its doors in 2025, assuming it receives a letter of reasonable assurance from the AVMA.
The AVMA also accredits some vet schools abroad, notably in Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean.
The 2 vet schools in the Caribbean – Ross University in St. Kitts and Nevis and St. George’s University in Grenada – are particularly popular among American students. However, they are considerably more expensive.
How much does vet school cost?
The average (mean) debt at graduation for American veterinary colleges, according to the NCES, is an eyewatering $165,740, even after financial aid.
This makes vet school a considerable financial investment. While you can earn a lot of money as a vet, you will probably spend a long time paying off your student loans.
Roo, a veterinarian staffing platform, explains that the standard veterinarian debt repayment plan takes about 10 years, paying $2,000 to $4,000 per month.
However, lenders can also opt for the SAVE debt repayment plan, which foresees 25 years of debt repayment, provided that you devote 10% of your discretionary income to loan repayment.
How much do vets make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for veterinarians is $119,100 per year, or $57.26 an hour. Vet jobs are expected to grow 20% by 2032, which is much faster than average.
Meanwhile, according to NCES, the average gross early-career earnings (4 years after graduation) for people who went to a veterinary college is $101,764 per year.
If we assume you pay $3,000 per month in student loans, this will leave you with about $5,500 a month early in your career according to NCES salary data. Unfortunately, you’ll still need to pay your taxes and rent.
So, is vet school worth it financially?
If you want to be a vet, you’re probably in it first and foremost because you love animals. Nevertheless, it’s smart to ask yourself if vet school is a wise decision financially, given its expense.
Generally speaking, an investment in a DVM degree will eventually pay off – despite the student loans – thanks to veterinarians’ high average earnings.
Just remember: as long as you have a DVM from an accredited college and a license to practice, it doesn’t matter very much for your career where you went to vet school. Therefore, you should choose the cheapest vet school you get into. This will hopefully be a local university that offers you in-state tuition.
While some vet schools we list above have lower-earning graduates, this is as much a function of the state they work in after graduation as anything else. Vets in Mississippi earn less than vets in California.
Comparing vet school to other advanced degree programs
Many doctorate-level programs are better value than vet school.
The average debt-to-earnings ratio for vet schools is 1.65, which makes it a slightly worse investment than physical therapy school, law school, pharmacy school, or an MBA.
Below, we compare an investment in veterinary school with other programs that require a doctorate or master’s degree.
We included debt and salary figures from the NCES, which collects data on average earnings of degree holders 4 years after graduation (regardless of their job). We also provide earnings data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) which collects data on median earnings for individual professions throughout workers’ careers.
Note that our debt-to-earnings ratio uses early-career NCES data. This puts medical schools at a disadvantage, as many doctors are still completing their residencies 4 years after graduation.
| Program name | Average debt | Average annual earnings, 4 years after graduation (NCES) | Median annual earnings (BLS) | Debt-to-earnings ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBA | $36,483 | $86,230 | $129,330 (general and operations managers) | 0.43 |
| Pharmacy School | $141,060 | $129,440 | $136,030 (pharmacists) | 1.1 |
| Law Schools | $110,87 | $95,774 | $145,760 (lawyers) | 1.25 |
| Physical Therapy School | $107,846 | $75,459 | $99,710 (physical therapists) | 1.44 |
| Veterinary school | $165,740 | $101,764 | $119,100 (veterinarians) | 1.65 |
| Dental School | $264,605 | $139,034 | $170,910 (dentists) | 1.96 |
| Medical School | $188,347 | $92,771 | $239,200 (physicians and surgeons) | 2.09 |
Source: NCES and BLS
How to get into vet school
Vet school is notoriously competitive, and getting in will require you to plan ahead as an undergraduate student.
- Take the pre-requisite bachelor’s-level courses. While each vet school has slightly different requirements, pre-reqs normally include biology with lab, chemistry with lab, genetics, biochemistry, physics, statistics, humanities, and English. Choosing an undergraduate major like biology can help you cover all the pre-reqs for getting into vet school.
- Maintain a high GPA. While vet schools may designate a much lower minimum grade point average, most successful applicants have a GPA of around 3.4 to 3.8, with 3.7 being the most common average GPA for the vet schools in this article. Most colleges will look at your science GPA and last semester GPA separately from your cumulative GPA.
- Log hours observing a vet and get experience with animals. Start out by volunteering at a humane society or join your college’s 4H club. In addition, you will need to log supervised hours observing a veterinarian. Consider getting a vet-adjacent job while you’re in college. These experiences are a must-have for vet school, so don’t put this off.
- Get leadership experience. While not a strict requirement, your resume will shine if you can snag a leadership position in a pre-vet club, student government, or some other group. Vet schools will also be looking for evidence of strong communication skills, which leadership experience can provide.
- Get great letters of recommendation by impressing your professors. Go to office hours, work with a professor on an undergraduate research project, and be an active participant in class discussions so your professors can write you strong letters of recommendation. Conducting supervised research will look especially good on your resume.
- Apply to vet school via the VMCAS. The VMCAS is the unified platform for applying to vet schools. This is where you’ll submit your transcripts, resume, letters of recommendation, personal statements, observation hours, etc.
Where do veterinarians work?
You may be surprised to learn that not everyone with a DVM works in a veterinary clinic! According to the BLS:
- 83% of veterinarians work in veterinary services
- 10% are self-employed
- 2% work for the government
- 1% work for social advocacy organizations
- 1% work in education
The concept of “veterinary service” is itself quite broad: while many veterinarians treat cats and dogs at clinics in their local communities, others work in animal hospitals, make visits to farms, or work in shelters.
Other veterinarians conduct research, especially in public health, food safety, animal medicine, virology, and parasitology.
Yet others work in public health or public policy with government agencies like the Center for Disease Control or the Food and Safety Inspection Service.
After acquiring experience as a vet, you could even end up working as a consultant or a professor.
How to become a vet
We have written a detailed page about how to become a veterinarian. However, the gist goes like this:
- Get an undergraduate degree
- Get experience working with animals and observing vets
- Go to vet school – most vet programs take 4 years
- Pass the NAVLE exam
- Get state licensure
Final thoughts
Becoming a vet is a long, arduous process, but if you possess academic stamina and you aren’t too afraid of student loans, a DVM can lead to a rewarding career.
Just remember, vet school is a big financial decision, and you don’t want to take out more money in loans than you need to. For most, this will mean going to whichever vet school offers you the lowest price.
Not sure vet school is right for you, but you’re still interested in a healing profession? Check out our list of the best-paying jobs in healthcare. There are more jobs than just “doctor!”
If you’re still determined to plough on and become a veterinarian, we wish you all the best. The world needs you!
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