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Below is a table sharing more details about each school’s admissions data, key features, and tuition rates.
Please note that there is no official “pre-vet major” at most universities. Students first apply to the university itself, not to a veterinary track.
After enrolling, they complete the required prerequisite courses for veterinary school, and most formally declare a major in their sophomore year. “Pre-vet” pathways typically refer to an advising track, recommended coursework, or concentration, not a separate admissions program.
Because of this structure, a university’s undergraduate acceptance rate reflects how competitive it is to gain admission to the college, not to a standalone pre-vet program.
If you’re uncertain about your chances of getting into veterinary school, take our free quiz below! We consider a number of factors to help you determine your vet school admission odds.
We chose the best pre-vet undergraduate institutions based on how well they prepare students for veterinary school admission. We reviewed official university sources, including advising pages, course catalogs, and departmental materials.
We prioritized schools that clearly support veterinary prerequisites, offer access to animal-related research or facilities, and provide structured advising.
We also gave added consideration to universities that have top veterinary schools, as these institutions often provide stronger advising pipelines and in-state preference opportunities.
All tuition data were sourced directly from official university websites for the 2025-26 academic year when available.
Pre-vet students can pursue careers such as becoming veterinarians, veterinary technologists or technicians, vet assistants, or laboratory animal caretakers.
Here’s a closer look at these jobs:
Veterinarians diagnose, treat, and manage animal health in clinics, hospitals, research facilities, or government agencies. This role requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and state licensure. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinarians earn a median annual salary of $125,510.
You can get professional pre-vet advice to enhance your chances of getting into a top vet school.
Take a look at this video to learn more about Catarina, one of our vet school experts, who provides invaluable guidance for aspiring veterinarians:
Vet technologists and technicians assist veterinarians by performing lab tests, taking X-rays, monitoring anesthesia, and preparing animals for surgery. Technologists typically earn a bachelor’s degree, while technicians complete an associate degree. Both must pass credentialing exams. These professionals make a median annual salary of $45,980 a year.
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers provide hands-on animal care in clinics, research labs, universities, and pharmaceutical facilities.
Veterinary assistants support veterinarians and technicians by restraining animals, cleaning and sterilizing equipment, feeding and exercising animals, and assisting with basic clinical tasks. Laboratory animal caretakers focus on monitoring animal health, maintaining housing environments, and ensuring compliance with research and safety protocols.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers is $37,320, with steady projected job growth driven by demand for veterinary services and biomedical research.
Pre-veterinary medicine is an undergraduate pathway designed to help students complete the required courses and experiences needed for veterinary school. It is not a standalone major at most universities. Instead, students typically major in fields such as biology, animal science, chemistry, or a related discipline while completing veterinary school prerequisites.
Pre-vet coursework usually includes biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry, and sometimes animal nutrition or genetics. Students also gain animal and veterinary experience through clinics, farms, research labs, or shelters. Pre-vet education prepares you academically and practically for admission to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program.
Pre-vet preparation typically takes four years because most students complete a bachelor’s degree before applying to veterinary school. During those four years, students finish prerequisite coursework and gain the required animal and veterinary experience.
Some veterinary schools allow applicants to apply without completing a full bachelor’s degree, but most admitted students hold one.
You do not need a specific “pre-vet” major to apply to veterinary school. Veterinary programs accept applicants from any major as long as they complete the required prerequisite courses.
Admissions committees focus more on GPA, science performance, animal and veterinary experience, and overall readiness than on your major. You can major in biology, business, psychology, or another field, provided you meet the academic and experiential requirements for the schools where you apply.
Dr. Jonathan Preminger was the original author of this article. Snippets of his work may remain.
Reviewed by:
Orthopaedic Surgery Resident Physician, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
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