Best Veterinary Medicine Schools
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Do you love working with animals? You may be considering becoming a veterinarian. The first step to embarking on this rewarding career is to apply to vet school.
We’ve ranked the best veterinary medicine schools in the country to help you get started. You can also find out more about the path to becoming a veterinarian, including how long the process takes and what it may cost.
Popular Online Healthcare Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Veterinary Schools and Programs in the United States
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$51,156
- Out-of-state$51,156
- In-State$36,254
- Out-of-state$36,254
- Retention Rate98%
- Acceptance Rate8%
- Students Enrolled26,675
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment6%
- AccreditationYes
Cornell University
- Ithaca, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$56,550
- Out-of-state$56,550
- In-State$29,500
- Out-of-state$29,500
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate11%
- Students Enrolled24,027
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment4%
- AccreditationYes
Purdue University-Main Campus
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,208
- Out-of-state$28,010
- In-State$9,208
- Out-of-state$28,010
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate60%
- Students Enrolled45,500
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment22%
- AccreditationYes
Tufts University
- Medford, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$57,324
- Out-of-state$57,324
- In-State$52,724
- Out-of-state$52,724
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate15%
- Students Enrolled11,878
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment3%
- AccreditationYes
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Madison, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,273
- Out-of-state$36,333
- In-State$10,728
- Out-of-state$24,054
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate54%
- Students Enrolled44,257
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment18%
- AccreditationYes
University of Georgia
- Athens, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,790
- Out-of-state$28,830
- In-State$8,878
- Out-of-state$25,186
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate45%
- Students Enrolled38,920
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment14%
- AccreditationYes
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
- Raleigh, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,535
- Out-of-state$26,654
- In-State$9,095
- Out-of-state$26,421
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate45%
- Students Enrolled36,304
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,477
- Out-of-state$25,694
- In-State$10,770
- Out-of-state$27,335
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate37%
- Students Enrolled52,407
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
University of Maryland-College Park
- College Park, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,824
- Out-of-state$34,936
- In-State$13,158
- Out-of-state$29,250
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate44%
- Students Enrolled40,743
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment19%
- AccreditationYes
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Minneapolis, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,318
- Out-of-state$31,616
- In-State$17,580
- Out-of-state$27,204
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled51,327
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment30%
- AccreditationYes
Michigan State University
- East Lansing, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,555
- Out-of-state$40,384
- In-State$18,858
- Out-of-state$37,056
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate71%
- Students Enrolled49,809
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Blacksburg, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,420
- Out-of-state$29,960
- In-State$13,701
- Out-of-state$27,614
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled36,383
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Washington State University
- Pullman, WA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,953
- Out-of-state$24,531
- In-State$11,493
- Out-of-state$25,248
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled31,607
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment21%
- AccreditationYes
Otterbein University
- Westerville, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$32,024
- Out-of-state$32,024
- In-State$595
- Out-of-state$595
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled2,853
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment7%
- AccreditationYes
University of Kentucky
- Lexington, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,011
- Out-of-state$29,331
- In-State$12,055
- Out-of-state$31,215
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled29,402
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment27%
- AccreditationYes
University of Idaho
- Moscow, ID
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,182
- Out-of-state$25,418
- In-State$7,754
- Out-of-state$26,990
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled11,926
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Ohio State University-Main Campus
- Columbus, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,197
- Out-of-state$31,174
- In-State$11,560
- Out-of-state$35,144
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate54%
- Students Enrolled61,391
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Champaign, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$14,188
- Out-of-state$33,127
- In-State$14,997
- Out-of-state$28,404
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled51,605
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
University of California, Davis
- Davis, CA
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$11,442
- Out-of-state$41,196
- In-State$11,442
- Out-of-state$26,544
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate39%
- Students Enrolled38,634
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment5%
- AccreditationYes
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Lincoln, NE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,560
- Out-of-state$24,000
- In-State$5,976
- Out-of-state$17,280
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled25,390
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment49%
- AccreditationYes
Why Attend One of the Best Vet Schools in the Country?
- It can make you more competitive in a lucrative field where six-figure salaries are common
- Attending vet school can prepare you for your licensure exam
- The best vet programs can provide you with valuable mentorship and networking opportunities
Did You Know…
Jobs for veterinarians are projected to increase much faster than the national average — a whopping 20% between 2022 and 2032. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
How Important Is Accreditation for Veterinary School?
Accreditation is extremely important for veterinary schools, as it demonstrates that a school or program meets certain standards of academic quality.
If you attend a veterinary school that isn’t accredited, you may not qualify for licensure in your state. Employers may also refuse to hire you.
Top veterinary schools hold institutional accreditation. Quality doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) programs also hold programmatic accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education.
How Much Do Veterinary Schools Cost?
Becoming a vet can come with a steep price tag. According to the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, in-state tuition for four years of veterinary school can range from around $80,000 on the low end to over $220,000 at the most expensive institutions. Lodging, transportation, books and materials, and overall cost of living can add to your total.
How Much Money Can Veterinary School Graduates Make?
Veterinary school graduates can earn good money. In fact, six-figure salaries are common in this profession.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), veterinarians earned a median annual salary of $119,100 in 2023. The highest-paid 10% of vets earned $201,440 per year and the lowest-paid 10% averaged $72,360.
The highest-paying states for veterinarians in 2023 were Massachusetts, California, Hawaii, and New Jersey, per BLS data, with the average salary for vets in those states equaling about $157,800.
How to Become a Veterinarian
- 1
Earn your bachelor’s degree.
Before you apply to vet school, you need a bachelor’s degree. Pre-veterinary students typically major in biology or another science field. - 2
Gain experience working with animals.
If you want to attend one of the best veterinary medicine schools, you have to stand out from other applicants. Top schools look for prospective students with experience working or volunteering at vet clinics, animal shelters, zoos, and wildlife organizations. - 3
Research vet schools, take the required entrance exams, and apply.
Many vet programs require GRE test scores. Others accept scores from the MCAT, which prospective medical students take to gain entry into medical school. Make sure you have all the required materials to apply to the best vet schools and that the program you’re interested in is accredited. - 4
Earn your veterinary medicine doctorate.
You must complete clinical experience as well as coursework during your four-year degree. - 5
Get licensed.
In order to practice as a veterinarian, you’ll need to get licensed. This typically requires passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination. You may need to pass other examinations and fulfill additional requirements, depending on the state.
If you’re interested in veterinary medicine but the process to become a vet seems a little too rigorous and time-consuming for you, consider getting a certificate in veterinary medicine instead.
While you can’t become a vet with a certificate, you could potentially work as a veterinary assistant, veterinary technician or technologist, animal caretaker, animal control officer, or laboratory animal technician.
Q&A With Real Veterinary Students
Q: How did you prepare for veterinarian school?
“During my undergraduate studies, I became interested in research and pursued graduate training in molecular and cellular biology before applying to veterinary school. I also volunteered at a local animal hospital and humane society. Focus on grades — they are important — but get as much experience as you can.”
Q: What surprised you the most about vet school?
“I was most surprised by the lack of competitiveness between students. My class is constantly sharing study tips, guides they’ve made, and helping each other.”
“The sheer amount of information that you are required to learn with very limited time.”
Q: What advice would you give to students considering veterinarian school?
“Visit the campuses before you apply. Try to get in touch with current students and get their opinion on the school. The cost of your veterinary education is an important factor because veterinary school is a huge financial investment.”
“First, ensure that vet med is right for you by shadowing doctors. Second, apply to multiple schools if you can afford to. Third, enjoy your summer before starting and make some time in your schedule to relax during vet school.”
