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Why This Matters

  • CHOOSE FROM A VARIETY OF POTENTIAL CAREER PATHS

    Individuals with a degree in veterinary medicine can go on to work in several different areas, including private practice, research, public health and policy, food supply medicine, animal husbandry, and government agencies.

  • DEMAND FOR VETERINARIANS TO INCREASE 19%

    As veterinary medicine has advanced, the demand for vets who can perform complex surgeries and procedures has increased as well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the addition of 16,800 new vet jobs by 2031.

  • EARN $63,520 MORE WITH A DOCTORAL DEGREE

    Entry-level positions like veterinary technician earn a median annual wage of $36,850. By obtaining a doctoral degree and becoming a full-fledged veterinarian, you should be able to make around $100,370.

Our Research

This list features a variety of post-secondary education options in veterinary medicine, including certificates and degree programs. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. Many of the schools on our list are members of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, which represents the global academic veterinary medical community.

We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.

Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online veterinary programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.

The Top 15 Online Veterinary Degree Programs

Best Online Veterinary Degree Programs
01
Intelligent Pick
UC Davis - School of Veterinary Medicine
01
Best Ivy League School
The University of Pennsylvania - School of Veterinary Medicine
01
Best Fieldwork Experience
University of Florida - College of Veterinary Medicine
01
Best Veterinary Nursing Program
Purdue University - West Lafayette
01
Best Program Variety
University of Missouri
01
Best Master's Degree
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
01
Best Associate Degree
Colby Community College
01
Best Bachelor's Degree
St. Petersburg College
01
Best Certificate Programs
San Juan College
01
Best Pre-Veterinary Program
Allen Community College
01
Most Innovative Curriculum
Ohio State University
01
Best Public Institution
University of Wisconsin - Madison
01
Best for Large Animal Specialties
Texas A&M University - College Station
01
Most Affordable
University of Georgia
01
Most Flexible Admissions
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
01
Best in the Southeast
North Carolina State University
01

University of Maryland at College Park
01

Appalachian State University
01

Otterbein University
01

Tarleton State University
01

Medaille University
01

Blue Ridge Community College
01

SUNY College of Technology at Canton
01

Foothill College
01

Northern Virginia Community College
01

Jefferson State Community College

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What You Should Know About This Degree

There are multiple job opportunities within the field of veterinary medicine, each with their own specific type of education and training. To reach the highest level of practice in the field, a licensed veterinarian, individuals must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from an accredited program. Currently there are no fully online accredited DVM programs in the U.S. Students who are interested in pursuing a DVM should plan on completing an in-person program, which typically lasts four years.

In-person requirements are a part of most veterinary programs, even at the undergraduate level. Hands-on training with animals in clinics, laboratories, animal hospitals and other settings is a key part of training for veterinary technicians and technologists. Even if classes for a veterinary technician program are online, students should still expect to complete in-person labs and clinical experiences.

While there’s typically no specific undergraduate degree students need to pursue a DVM, earning a lower-level degree like an associate’s or bachelor’s can be beneficial. This type of degree will ensure you have the foundational knowledge you need when pursuing your doctorate. These degrees will also qualify you for entry-level positions in veterinary medicine, such as veterinary technologists and technicians and veterinary assistants. When earning an undergraduate degree, keep in mind that it should be from a regionally accredited institution. This will guarantee that your degree will be accepted by any institutions you apply to for future study.

Many people pursue careers in veterinary medicine because of their love of animals, so it’s important to keep in mind the emotional stress that can come along with seeing sick or injured animals and having to euthanize animals. Veterinarians and vet techs must also be prepared for risks on the job, including being bitten, kicked, scratched, or contracting diseases from animals.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching veterinary programs:

  • Does this program meet the requirements for licensure and certification? Each state has its own regulations for individuals working in veterinary medicine, which may include passing the Veterinary Technician National exam and being certified, licensed, or registered in the state in which they work. Before selecting a program, check the requirements for the state in which you plan to work, and make sure your program meets the state’s educational standards.
  • What are the in-person  requirements for this program? Many programs include experiential learning components, either through on-campus labs or off-campus clinical rotations. Even if students are completing coursework online, they should be prepared to fit these program requirements into their schedules. If you have questions about specific requirements, talk to a program representative for more information.

Admission procedures vary by school, so be sure to look at the deadlines and application requirements for each school to which you plan to apply. Gathering application materials ahead of time can facilitate a smooth admissions process.

You should also research funding options for your degree. These resources can include federal financial aid like loans and grants, scholarships, assistantships, and tuition benefits from your employer if you are currently working.


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