Best Vet School Programs In The World: The Ultimate Guide

May 24, 2023
Contents

”Akhil

Reviewed by:

Akhil Katakam

Third-Year Medical Student, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Reviewed: 4/27/22

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 U.S.! But which vet schools are the best? 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 best vet school programs to help you narrow down your choices. 

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Best Vet Schools in the U.S.

Top Vet Schools in the US

These are the top 20 best vet schools in the United States. Each school has plenty of options for future students. Some of these schools even offer pathways you haven’t thought about yet.

UC Davis

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 provides the most residency options for its students. 

  • Rank: 1
  • Location: Davis, CA
  • Acceptance Rate: 15%

Annual Tuition Cost 

Residents

  • First Year: $32,622
  • Second Year: $32,622
  • Third Year: $32,622
  • Fourth Year: $36,702

Non-Residents

  • First Year: $44,867
  • Second Year: $44,867
  • Third Year: $44,867
  • Fourth Year: $48,947

Cornell University

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.

  • Rank: 2
  • Location: Ithaca, NY
  • Acceptance Rate: 15%

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: $39,712
  • Non-Residents: $58,750

Colorado State University

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.

  • Rank: 3
  • Location: Fort Collins, CO
  • Acceptance Rate: 15%

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: $38,962
  • Non-Residents: $62,660

North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University unites innovative medical care with a love for animals. They strive to shape their students into caring and efficient veterinarians. 

  • Rank: 4 (tie)
  • Location: Raleigh, NC
  • Acceptance Rate: 15%

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: $19,646
  • Non-Residents: $48,348

Ohio State University

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.

  • Rank: 4 (tie)
  • Location: Columbus, OH
  • Acceptance Rate: 15%

Annual Tuition Cost

Residents: 

  • First Year: $34,228
  • Second Year: $34,078
  • Third Year: $34,228
  • Fourth Year: $51,248

Non-Residents:

  • First Year: $74,350
  • Second Year: $34,088
  • Third Year: $34,238
  • Fourth Year: $51,263

Texas A&M University – College Station

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.

  • Rank: 4 (tie)
  • Location: College Station, TX
  • Acceptance Rate: 15%

Annual Tuition Cost

Residents: 

  • First Year: $26,320
  • Second Year: $26,694
  • Third Year: $27,068
  • Fourth Year: $29,160

Non-Residents:

  • First Year: $42,022
  • Second Year: $42,640
  • Third Year: $43,256
  • Fourth Year: $45,549

University of Pennsylvania

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. 

  • Rank: 4 (tie)
  • Location: Philadelphia, PA
  • Acceptance Rate: 9%

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: $54,742
  • Non-Residents: $64,742

University of Wisconsin – Madison

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.

  • Rank: 8
  • Location: Madison, WI
  • Acceptance Rate: 13%

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: $32,712
  • Non-Residents: $51,961

University of Florida

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.

  • Rank: 9
  • Location: Gainesville, FL
  • Acceptance Rate: 11%

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: $28,790
  • Non-Residents: $45,500

University of Georgia

Accumulating an astounding 7,500 living alumni, the University of Georgia remains as an impressive veterinary school. 

  • Rank: 10
  • Location: Athens, GA
  • Acceptance Rate:11%

Annual Tuition Cost

Residents: 

  • First Year: $19,804
  • Second Year: $19,804
  • Third Year: $29,706
  • Fourth Year: $19,804

Non-Residents: 

  • First Year: $49,466
  • Second Year: $49,466
  • Third Year: $59,327
  • Fourth Year: $49,466

University of Minnesota – Twin Cities 

The University of Minnesota has produced 4,000 veterinarians. They also provide unique additions to the program, such as dairy, swine, and avian medicine. 

  • Rank: 10 (tie)
  • Location: St. Paul, MN
  • Acceptance Rate: 10.5%

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: $13,532
  • Non-Residents: $32,122

Tufts University

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University serves as the only veterinary school in New England. The school offers their One Health programs that focus on initiatives like wildlife conservation.

  • Rank: 12
  • Location: North Grafton, MA
  • Acceptance Rate: 14%

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: $56,322
  • Non-Residents: $63,122

Purdue University – West Lafayette

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. 

  • Rank: 13
  • Location: West Lafayette, IN
  • Acceptance Rate: 10%

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: $9,900
  • Non-Residents: $28,702

Auburn University

Standing as the seventh-oldest vet school, Auburn University has produced around 7,000 veterinarians and 550 specialists. 

  • Rank: 14
  • Location: Auburn, AL
  • Acceptance Rate: 15%

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: $22,880
  • Non-Residents: $49,040

Iowa State University

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.

  • Rank: 14 (tie)
  • Location: Ames, IA
  • Acceptance Rate: 10%

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: $26,476
  • Non-Residents: $56,694

Washington State University

Washington State University boasts its accreditation from 4 accrediting agencies. This university is also ranked highly for its extramural research support. 

  • Rank: 14 (tie)
  • Location: Pullman, WA
  • Acceptance Rate: 11%

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: $24,334
  • Non-Residents: $55,404

Michigan State University 

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.

  • Rank: 17 
  • Location: East Lansing, MI
  • Acceptance Rate: An exact acceptance rate was unavailable, but most acceptance rates for vet schools fall between 10% and 15%.

Annual Tuition Cost 

Residents:

  • First Year: $30,400
  • Second Year: $30,400
  • Third Year: $15,200
  • Third Year Spring Clinical: $13,441
  • Third Year Summer Clinical: $9,523
  • Fourth Year Clinical: $26,882

Non-Residents:

  • First Year: $56,512
  • Second Year: $56,512
  • Third Year: $28,256
  • Third Year Spring Clinical: $25,159
  • Third Year Summer Clinical: $16,794
  • Fourth Year Clinical: $50,318

Virginia Tech – University of Maryland

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. 

  • Rank: 17 (tie)
  • Location: Blacksburg, VA
  • Acceptance Rate: 11%

Annual Tuition Cost 

NOTE: These tuition costs are based on a 12-credit semester.

  • Residents: $5,875.50
  • Non-Residents: $15,414.50

Kansas State University

Kansas State University prides themselves on their dedication to the welfare of animals. They provide various track opportunities for prospective students, like their Exotic Animals track. 

  • Rank: 19
  • Location: Manhattan, KS
  • Acceptance Rate: 7%

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: $25,746
  • Non-Residents: $55,742

University of Missouri

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. 

  • Rank: 19 (tie)
  • Location: Columbia, MO
  • Acceptance Rate: 9%

Annual Tuition Cost

Residents: 

  • First Year: $29,229
  • Second Year: $29,229
  • Third Year: $33,312
  • Fourth Year: $33,312

Non-Residents:

  • First Year: $68,424
  • Second Year: $68,424
  • Third Year: $72,507
  • Fourth Year: $72,507

As you can see, the top 20 vet schools in the United States 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 U.S. as well. 

Best Vet Schools Outside the U.S.

Top Vet Schools Outside the US

Below you’ll find the top 5 best vet schools outside of the United States. 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. 

Royal Veterinary College – University of London

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. 

  • Rank: 3
  • Location: London, UK
  • Acceptance Rate: 12%

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: 9,250 GBP ($12,601.57)
  • Non-Residents: 14,678 GBP ($20,000)

University of Guelph

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. 

  • Rank: 4
  • Location: Ontario, Canada
  • Acceptance Rate: We could not find an exact acceptance rate for this university, but most acceptance rates of vet schools range from 10% to 15%.

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: 7,210 CAD ($5,610)
  • Non-Residents: 54,488 CAD ($42,404)

Utrecht University

Based in the Netherlands, Utrecht University stands as the only vet school in the Netherlands. This university provides a challenging vet program with clinicals as well as research placement options. 

  • Rank: 5
  • Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
  • Acceptance Rate: We could not find an exact acceptance rate for this university, but most acceptance rates of vet schools range from 10% to 15%.

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Non-Residents: $10,295

University of Glasgow

Founded in 1862, the University of Glasgow offers a competent vet program that molds successful veterinarians.

  • Rank: 7
  • Location: Glasgow, UK
  • Acceptance Rate: We could not find an exact acceptance rate, but most acceptance rates of vet schools range from 10% to 15%.

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Scotland Residents and EU: £1,820 ($2,478)
  • English, Welsh, and Northern Irish Residents: £46,250 ($62,983)
  • International Students: £32,000 ($43,571)

University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge offers an intimate learning experience for prospective students. Their small class size provides a more personal vet program.

  • Rank: 8
  • Location: Cambridge, UK
  • Acceptance Rate: A current acceptance rate is not available, but most acceptance rates of vet schools range from 10% to 15%.

Annual Tuition Cost

  • Residents: £2,544
  • Non-Residents: £58,038 ($79,059)

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.

FAQs

1. What are the requirements for vet school?

As with any graduate degree, aspiring students must meet certain requirements before applying to the vet school of their choice. These requirements vary from school to school, but you can find a more in-depth guide to these requirements here.

2. How many years does it take to become a vet?

Typically, it takes about eight years to become a vet. The timeline varies from student to student, whether you decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree before applying to vet school or if you decide to take a year off from your studies before vet school. A degree of veterinary medicine requires extensive knowledge and training, so understand that this pathway demands commitment. 

3. What are the best vet schools for zoo medicine?

If you’re interested in pursuing a zoo medicine specialty, you have plenty of schools to choose from. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a zoological medicine program where students can work with various animals from reptiles to tarantulas. Kansas State University provides a zoo medicine program where students assist routine as well as emergency care for the animals at the Sunset Zoo in Manhattan. 

If you’re interested in this pathway, you can find a list of other vet schools that offer this program here.

4. What are the best vet schools for large animals?

Large animal vets are in high demand since there are a variety of large animal species to handle, and it seems to be the least popular choice. 

Large animal vets often spend more time traveling than your ordinary local veterinarian. Don’t let this discourage you from pursuing this career. Large animal vets have the perk of treating more than dogs and cats. You can treat swine, cattle, even horses! 

Since large animal vets are a commodity, nearly all of the schools we previously listed provide a large animal vet pathway. UC Davis and Cornell offer the top programs for prospective students, but the University of Georgia also offers this program. 

5. What are the best equine vet schools?

Equine vets provide care to horses that serve as pets as well as horses who compete in races or shows. Average equine vets earn between $42,000 and $87,000 annually, while private practice equine vets can earn up to $114,000 annually. If you’re interested in pursuing the equine vet pathway, you can find these programs at UC Davis, Cornell, as well as many others.

6. Does it matter where I earn my vet degree?

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. And the best way to showcase your knowledge is by earning good grades in your classes and scoring high on the NAVLE.

7. Can I apply to just one vet school?

You could certainly apply to only one vet school, but you severely limit your chances of acceptance. We recommend narrowing down the list to a few schools that suit your needs and applying to 3 or 4 of those schools to give yourself the best chance of acceptance into vet school. 

Conclusion

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 to investigate.

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. 

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