Best Veterinary Technician Programs

A bachelor’s in veterinary technician program allows graduates to compete for meaningful roles and spend their days helping treat animals. These programs can provide the training needed to work in varied professional settings. The cost of a bachelor’s in veterinary technician program can vary significantly, with public in-state tuition typically costing far less than tuition at a private institution. Because of this, prospective learners must carefully review true program costs before committing to any institution.

Full-time learners typically spend four years completing degree requirements. Some schools offer part-time and accelerated options — particularly online schools. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that vet tech jobs will grow by 15% from 2020-2030, which could make it a great time to join this field.

Keep reading to learn more about the top bachelor’s in veterinary technician programs, where this degree can take healthcare graduates, and how much they can expect to earn.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Each year, the BestColleges Ranking Team evaluates hundreds of programs to produce our annual Best Bachelor’s in Veterinary Technician ranking. In 2022, the team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. We identified 10 schools that qualify for our ranking list based on the following criteria.

To ensure the accuracy and quality of our final ranked list, the ranking team reviewed each qualifying school to ensure it met the criteria for our ranking, and then applied our proprietary ranking methodology to identify the best schools offering this program in the nation. Each school is ranked based on a formula measuring academic factors (60%) and affordability (40%).

The BestColleges Ranking Team is made up of contributors from our data science and product management teams. These contributors operate independently from the editorial team. All BestColleges school rankings are produced by the ranking team and are free of editorial influence. Read our Editorial Policy and Standards to learn more.

Completing a bachelor’s in veterinary technician program suits learners who enjoy working with animals and providing compassionate care across their lifespan. Whether working with a premature puppy or a senior horse, veterinary technicians use their skills to support veterinarians and provide clinical and administrative services.

In addition to coursework, learners typically participate in a semester-long practicum to gain hands-on skills prior to graduating. Because these programs focus on the scientific components of the discipline, schools offer these degrees as bachelor of science qualifications.

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Admission requirements vary from program to program, making it important for prospective students to review requirements for each bachelor’s in veterinary technician program to which they plan to apply. Some schools require college entrance exam scores from the SAT or ACT, while others have dispensed with this component.

The vast majority of programs require students to supply letters of recommendation and college application essays, providing the opportunity for both students and those who know them well to discuss their preparedness for higher education.

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Graduates of an online bachelor’s in veterinary technician program can take their career in many directions. The BLS projects that jobs for these professionals will grow by an impressive 15% between 2020-2030, leading to the creation of more than 17,000 new roles.

Veterinary technologists and technicians earned median yearly wages of $36,850 as of May 2021, while those in the top 10% of earners took home nearly $50,000. When searching and applying for jobs, recent graduates can pursue positions in local veterinary clinics, veterinary research labs, mobile veterinary units, and universities.

Learn More About Veterinary Technician Careers

Certification and licensure requirements vary across states, making it important that graduates check with their state’s licensing board to learn about specifics.

Most states require these professionals to pass a credentialing exam as part of the Veterinary Technician National Examination. This exam is offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, which provides preparatory materials to help students get ready for test day.

For individuals who know they want to work with animals but do not feel ready to commit to a full veterinarian doctoral program, a bachelor’s in veterinary technician degree may provide entry to the field with less required education.

These programs, which typically require four years of full-time study, provide the training and qualifications needed to work under the supervision of licensed veterinarians.

These degrees help graduates compete for a variety of jobs based on their personal interests and career aspirations. Students looking to save money on their degrees can enroll at a public university in their state and complete requirements for far less than if they were at a private institution.

Earning a bachelor’s in veterinary technician degree can train graduates to take on several different jobs. While many decide to work in private clinics or animal hospitals, these qualifications also allow them to pursue work in humane societies, for nonprofit animal welfare organizations, and even at colleges and universities.

For graduates particularly invested in the science behind the discipline, laboratory work may best suit their interests.

After completing a bachelor’s in veterinary technician and working in the field for a few years, some of these professionals may decide they want to return to school for continuing education. Individuals who want to become veterinarians must complete a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM).

Completing a DVM typically requires four additional years of schooling, but qualifies graduates to take on advanced positions. As of May 2021, the BLS states that veterinarians earned median annual salaries of $100,370 — significantly more than veterinary technicians. Admission to these programs is competitive, meaning students should adequately prepare before applying.

Maybe a DVM is not for you, but you still want to continue to grow in your field.

There are several veterinary technician specialist academies — in emergency and critical care, anesthesia, general practice, oncology, and more — that may interest you. The requirements for each of these specialties are different, and it can be a rigorous process. But the effort can be worth it.

The BLS reports that veterinary technologists and technicians earned a median annual salary of $36,850, as of May 2021. Those working in colleges and universities typically earn the highest pay, with median salaries topping $46,780. Meanwhile, those working at social advocacy organizations such as humane societies often earn the least with median salaries at $35,480.

Many factors influence how much a veterinary technician earns, including degree level, title, amount of experience, location, and employer. Students should carefully research salary potential to ensure it meets their professional expectations.

With a median salary ($36,850) that is lower than the median annual wage for all workers ($45,760), this may not be the best path for aspiring veterinary technicians looking to maximize their earning potential.

According to the BLS, graduates who decide to seek work as clinical laboratory technologists or technicians earned a median annual salary of $57,800, as of May 2021 — around $20,000 more than vet techs.

To earn the highest salary within veterinary medicine, individuals may want to consider continuing their education to become veterinarians.