Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine
Reviewed: 01/11/23
Wondering what becoming a vet costs? Read on to learn about tuition costs at the country’s best and cheapest vet schools!
Preparing for vet school can be thrilling. You’re embarking on a new and unfamiliar journey toward a bright future. But how much does vet school cost? For some, this question doesn’t bother them. For others, the answer could impact their school choices. Everything you need to know about vet school tuition costs are listed below!
The average cost of vet school depends greatly on the school you apply to and whether or not you’re an in-state student. According to the AAVMC’s Cost Comparison tool, four-year tuition costs ranged from $78,479 to $155,295 for in-state students. Out-of-state student four-year tuition costs ranged from $131,200 to $285,367.
In-state students often pay far less in tuition than their out-of-state peers. However, a school’s tuition costs can vary greatly, even without considering residence. Besides tuition and fees, there are many other costs you should factor into your veterinary education, including:
These costs vary considerably depending on the school and the city you live in; living costs across the country are often quite different.
As with any other university application process, applicants must pay a vet school application fee. Some school fees may vary or use the fees dictated by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC).
The AAVMC decides the costs of your application fees based on the number of schools you apply to. For example, if you decided to apply to four vet schools, your application fee would be $599.
We’ll begin with the best of the best; the country’s top ten vet schools. Many candidates gravitate towards prestigious, high-ranked vet schools. These top vet schools have been ranked by U.S. News. So, how much does vet school cost if you want to attend a top program?
We’ve compiled a list of the top ten schools and their tuition costs for in-state and out-of-state students. Please note that we’ve only included tuition/fee costs below; the costs of your room/board, textbooks, food, and transportation aren’t reflected in these numbers. Ensure you factor in these additional costs before making decisions!
Annual tuition and fees for California residents and non-residents are as follows:
Annual tuition and fees for New York residents cost $40,420 and $60,020 for non-residents.
Annual tuition and fees at Colorado State University cost $39,078.
Annual tuition and fees for North Carolina State University students are as follows:
Annual tuition and fees for Ohio State University vet school students are as follows:
Annual tuition and fees at Texas A&M University are:
Tuition for UPenn is more expensive because health insurance is mandatory for all students. Tuition and fees for PA students cost $56,076 annually, and non-residents pay $66,076.
Tuition and fees cost $33,021 for residents and $53,245 for non-residents.
The annual tuition cost at UF costs $28,790 for state-sponsored students and $45,500 for students who aren’t state-sponsored.
Tuition and fees at the University of Georgia are as follows:
As you can see, tuition costs vary by school, and residents often pay lower tuition than out-of-state students.
Every high-ranking vet school won’t automatically be your best option. If you’re looking to lower the cost of veterinary school, we’ve got you covered.
Although employers recognize top-ranked schools, how well you perform in your classes matters more. You want to attend the vet school that aligns best with your preferences and needs – if your budget matters most to you, consider one of the ten cheapest vet schools below!
Tuition and fees at Purdue University are as follows:
North Carolina State University is another institution with lower veterinary school tuition rates: resident tuition is $19,644 annually, while non-residents pay $49,565.
The University of Georgia’s tuition and fees are more manageable for in-state students:
Kansas residents pay $25,746 annually in tuition and fees, whereas non-residents pay $55,742.
Texas Tech University’s tuition and fees cost $22,000 annually for in-state students and $32,800 for out-of-state students.
These are the tuition and fee costs at the University of Iowa. Please note that these costs are based on credit hours.
The University of Illinois – Urbana’s tuition and fees for residents costs $29,182 annually, whereas non-residents pay $52,272.
Washington State University students pay $27,332 annually in tuition and fees. If you’re an out-of-state student, you’ll pay an additional $35,602 in your first year only, for a total of $62,936.
This is the only vet school in both the best and cheapest categories. This is the breakdown of what residents and non-residents pay annually in tuition:
Tuition and fees costs at Virginia – Maryland Regional College are as follows:
Many candidates look at tuition costs and wonder how to pay for vet school. Fortunately, most people don’t pay the full cost out of pocket!
You also probably noticed that in-state tuition is much more affordable than out-of-state tuition. Applying to schools in your state is often more affordable than applying to out-of-state schools. Unfortunately, some states like Arkansas and Connecticut don’t have vet schools. However, there are many other ways to pay for vet school!
For example, you can apply for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP). This program pays up to $25,000 for qualified veterinarians as long as they agree to work for at least three years in a state experiencing a veterinarian shortage. You can learn more about the application process for this program here.
Another great way to pay for vet school is to seek out scholarships. You can find several scholarship opportunities from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF). Vet schools may also offer scholarship opportunities, so ensure you research the schools you want to apply to and see if you can further cut your costs.
If you have more questions about vet school costs, check out these FAQs!
Yes, becoming a vet is generally expensive. Between tuition costs, room and board, textbooks, transportation, and other costs, many factors make up the cost of becoming a veterinarian. In tuition costs alone, expect to spend between approximately $80,000 and $285,000 on your education!
Some sources state that it can take as long as 20 to 25 years to pay off vet school debt, but you can definitely pay it off in a shorter time, depending on your debt. Remember, grants and scholarships you don’t have to pay back lessen your debt upon graduation.
If you want to work with animals and have a passion for healthcare and science, attending vet school is certainly worth it. However, you’re the only one who can gauge if the cost is worth it!
In some cases, yes! If you’re interested in a career in veterinary medicine that costs almost nothing, you can look into joining the Army and work as a veterinarian.
You can apply for the Army’s Health Professions Scholarship Program; it pays your tuition as you earn your degree.
If you apply to a college in a state you’re not a resident of, you pay more tuition fees because you don’t pay taxes for the state that benefits the school. These schools charge you higher tuition to get more revenue from you to fund the school.
There are some to pay in-state tuition from a state you weren’t born in. Some states have residency requirements that allow students to pay in-state tuition costs as long as they’ve lived in the state for at least one year.
Veterinary school costs may be a great influencer as you build your school list. While we understand that the financial burden of vet school tuition may deter some candidates, don’t let the numbers scare you away. Remember, there are other ways to lessen your tuition costs and make the most of your education. Good luck!
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