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Reviewed by:
Third-Year Medical Student, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Reviewed: 5/2/24
There are many excellent veterinary schools worldwide to choose from. Whether you’re interested in studying in the U.S., Asia, or Europe, there’s a top vet school waiting for you. Read on to learn more!
You’ve finally made it through your undergraduate courses, and you’ve got your sights set on vet school. You’ve been dreaming of this moment for a while. You’ve completed the first steps to pursue your dream. Now, you need to decide which vet school you want to apply to.
Even though there are fewer vet schools than medical schools in the U.S., you still have many options. Having so many choices might be a little overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of what you want to gain from vet school.
You want to give yourself the best chance of success, and what better way to do that than to attend one of the best vet schools in the world? But what are the best veterinary schools in the world? Does it truly matter? Are these schools the best fit for me?
You may be stressed about the options, and that’s why we’ve devised the perfect guide to the top veterinary schools in the world to help you narrow down your choices.
These are the best veterinary schools in North America. Each school has plenty of veterinarian classes and other options for future students. Some of these schools even offer pathways you haven’t thought about yet. Read on to discover what the best schools for veterinarians are in the U.S. and Canada!
With more than $70 million in annual research funding, UC Davis reigns as one of the top vet schools in the country. This school provides a strenuous education and the most residency options for its students. UC Davis is a top contender for the best veterinary college in the world.
Colorado State University provides an informative veterinary medicine education while also providing programs in which students can receive dual degrees, like their D.V.M and M.B.A combined program.
Cornell University strives to create the next generation of successful veterinarians. They offer a rigorous program as well as internship opportunities for their prospective students.
Ohio State University works hard to provide an adequate veterinary medicine education while also providing unique programs for students to explore, such as Comparative and Translational Oncology.
North Carolina State University unites innovative medical care with a love for animals. They strive to shape their students into caring and efficient veterinarians.
The University of Pennsylvania stands as the only vet school to originate within a medical school. They excel in areas like germ cell biology and comparative medical genetics.
The University of Florida has a diverse vet program that offers a variety of options to prospective students. Aspiring vets can choose to specialize in small or large animals.
Accumulating an astounding 7,500 living alumni, the University of Georgia remains as an impressive veterinary school.
The University of Wisconsin provides a teaching hospital on campus to give prospective students experience in the field of veterinary medicine. They also offer dual programs.
Texas A&M University provides three years of intense education and laboratory experience. It uses the final year of the program for clinicals so students can earn real-life experience working with animals.
As the seventh-oldest vet school, Auburn University has produced around 7,000 veterinarians and 550 specialists.
Iowa State University offers five different departments in which students can earn their D.V.M. Some of these departments include Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Pathology.
Purdue University has produced 3,000 veterinarians, but they don’t just offer students seeking a D.V.M. They also offer a veterinary nursing program.
The University of Minnesota has produced 4,000 veterinarians. They also provide unique additions to the program, such as dairy, swine, and avian medicine.
Founded in 1855, Michigan State University provides an invigorating four-year vet program composed of various departments. These departments range from pathobiology and toxicology. They also have a veterinary nurse program.
The University of Illinois started to offer veterinary courses in 1870, shortly after its founding. They have since grown to be the first to offer an online program.
Washington State University boasts its accreditation from 4 accrediting agencies. This university is also ranked highly for its extramural research support.
The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University is the only veterinary school in New England. The school offers One Health programs that focus on initiatives like wildlife conservation.
Kansas State University prides itself on its dedication to the welfare of animals. They provide various track opportunities for prospective students, like their Exotic Animals track.
Virginia Tech – University of Maryland provides an in-depth veterinary program that blends medical and scientific knowledge with clinical experience. Students perform several clinical rotations throughout the program to get plenty of hands-on experience. This university also gives different tracks for students to pursue, such as the equine track and even a mixed-species track.
The University of Missouri blends veterinary medicine education with two years of hands-on experience. Students learn a broad range of studies, like oncology and dentistry, to determine their specialty.
Based in Canada, The University of Guelph provides a vigorous veterinary medicine program that branches off into three different pathways: Clinical Studies, Pathobiology, and Population Medicine.
As you can see, the top vet schools in North America vary in tuition costs and the tracks they offer. This gives you plenty of options to choose from when you’re ready to apply. But if you’re feeling a little adventurous, there are vet schools outside of the region as well.
To discover even more top vet schools, check out our veterinary program comparison platform! You’ll be able to compare and contrast vet schools in the US based on a number of factors like class size, campus location, and more.
Below, you’ll find the top 5 best colleges for veterinary medicine in Europe. If you decide to apply to these vet schools, make sure you check that you meet the prerequisites, as they might differ from the U.S. prerequisites. Even if you attend a college with a vet major, you may need additional requirements.
Discover some great schools for aspiring veterinarians below!
The Royal Veterinary College remains one of the largest vet schools in the world. The university provides a variety of programs in veterinary medicine as well as veterinary nursing. The school is considered one of the best vet schools in the world.
Annual Tuition Cost
UK Residents: 9,250 GBP ($12,601.57)
International: 41,500 GBP ($50,717,98)
Utrecht University is the only vet school in the Netherlands. This university provides a challenging vet program with clinicals as well as research placement options.
Annual Tuition Cost
EU, Surinamese, or Swiss Students: €4802 ($5072.41)
Non-EU: €14,665 ($15,490.82)
Founded in 1862, the University of Glasgow offers a competent vet program that molds successful veterinarians.
Annual Tuition Cost
Scotland Residents and EU: £35,175 ($42959.23)
English, Welsh, and Northern Irish Residents: £35,175 ($42959.23)
International Students: £35,175 ($42959.23)
The University of Cambridge offers an intimate learning experience for prospective students. Their small class size provides a more personal vet program.
Annual Tuition Cost
UK Residents: £9,250 ($11299.94(
International: £67,194 ($82085.20)
Vet schools outside of the U.S. provide similar learning experiences for prospective students as those inside the U.S. Though these options are more expensive than schools in the United States, you don’t have to give up hope if you find that you are struggling to get into mixed-species U.S. vet schools.
Some of the best veterinary colleges around the world are found in Oceania. The two schools below are ordered by their respective world ranks. Read on to learn more about some of the best vet school programs.
The University of Sydney’s vet school uses research-driven teaching and cutting-edge technology to teach its students. Its “One Health” framework ensures you understand the link between human medicine, veterinary medicine, and the environment.
The University of Melbourne offers flexible course offerings for all your veterinary interests. After you take core courses, you’ll be able to follow your own interest areas with the school’s “Tracks program.”
If you’re wondering which colleges offer veterinary programs in Asia or Latin America, these three schools are ranked highest in their regions.
The University of Tokyo’s Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences focuses on animal medicine and research at the molecular, cellular, and in vivo levels to understand disease and animal health.
The Universidade de São Paulo School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science organizes its teaching through six departments, including Pathology, Internal Medicine, and Surgery.
The Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine was the first university to gain accreditation in Asia. The school’s program offers courses on many animals, including poultry, horses, and more.
To get the best jump-start possible on your veterinary career, you’ll need to choose the right vet school. This may seem overwhelming due to all the choices you have but don’t worry. Here are some factors you should think about.
Pay close attention to the programs that your desired schools offer. Look into different specialties and program offerings. You’ll need to make sure that you can actually study what you’re interested in before you apply to vet school.
You may also want to pay attention to the vet program duration. How long are you willing to stay in veterinary school? Look at how long the vet programs take and see if it fits with your personal goals and aspirations.
Be sure to pay attention to the requirements for each vet school as well, as they may differ. Some veterinary schools may be harder to get into than others. Pay attention to the prerequisites and be sure that you can complete them during your undergrad.
It may be exciting to attend vet school in a different country or even continent, but make sure that it’s also a practical choice before you jump in headfirst. Do you have the means and resources to move far away? Will there be a language barrier?
In many cases, being an international student may also be more expensive. This brings us to our next point:
While there are many financial aid options available, veterinary school can be very costly. It can be very difficult to get out of debt once you’re in it, so be sure not to choose a school that is too far out of your price range.
In order to truly thrive in vet school, you need to feel comfortable in the school’s community. Consider the mission, vision, and values of each school before you decide. Sometimes, it’s also helpful to talk to past students to get a feel for the culture.
There are a lot of application components when applying to vet school. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when applying to vet school.
Want some more application tips for vet school? Whether you're interested in schools on this list or others, you can partner with one of our expert advisors to maximize your chances of acceptance!
Do you need help finding the perfect vet school for you? Check out our Which Vet School Should I Go To? Quiz to help you find your dream vet school.
If you still have questions about the world’s best veterinary schools, read on to learn more and get the answers you need.
We all know that schools like Harvard and Yale provide clout, and while earning a DVM from UC Davis or Cornell might catch the eye of employers, most people are impressed by your scores, not where you earned your degree.
You can always strive to apply to the top schools, but if you can’t get in, don’t let this discourage you from pursuing a DVM from another school. Employers want to know that you have the medical knowledge and that you can provide the best care for the patients. The best way to showcase your knowledge is by earning good grades in your classes and scoring high on the NAVLE.
Although different sites have different veterinary school rankings, UC Davis and the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London are considered some of the best veterinary schools in the world.
Most of the top-ranked veterinary schools worldwide are in North America., the U.K., Europe, or Oceania, although excellent schools can be found around the globe.
There are many reasons you may want to consider vet schools around the world. Some students may want to gain a greater global understanding or grasp the opportunity to live in another country for four years. Studying abroad can help you expand your international network and eventually practice veterinary medicine in another country. Some schools abroad are also cheaper than U.S. schools.
Vet schools are competitive. Of all U.S. schools listed above, the highest acceptance rate is 15%. Therefore, there really isn’t an “easiest” school to get into.
School selection can be challenging, especially when there are so many top-ranked veterinary schools worldwide to choose from. The best vet school in the world for you is the one whose culture and offerings align best with your interests and professional goals.
Consider what you want to do with your DVM once you graduate, which schools offer courses that excite you, and the school’s location.
Becoming a veterinarian proves to be an exciting but challenging journey. You get the opportunity to turn your passion into a career alongside some of the brightest students. Though there are fewer vet schools than medical schools, you still have many options through the top veterinary schools in the world. No matter what pathway you decide to follow, you’ll be able to find a vet school that suits your needs.
Whether you want to attend school in the U.S. or elsewhere, you have plenty of schools to choose from. We hope this guide helps you narrow down your options to make the selection process a little easier.
Reviewed by:
Orthopaedic Surgery Resident Physician, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
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