Since we covered a lot of vet tech-related topics so far, but still not as nearly as enough, we are proud to say that more and more people are interested in actually trying the profession for them. In this article, we will cover the top accredited vet tech school in the US.
We mentioned a lot of times that both the revenues, working possibilities and fields of specialization, as well as open job positions for vet techs steadily grow day by day and thus the popularity of the profession. To help you make an easy decision about becoming a Vet Tech, you can also read the article and find out Everything You Need to Know About Being a Vet Tech on our blog.
Not long ago we prepared a couple of articles with the top-rated veterinary schools in USA, Australia, Europe, and now we think it’s time to expand the material with some new information regarding the field of profession. That’s why we wrote this article about the top vet tech schools in the United States.
Some of our readers didn’t agree 100% with our personal rankings of schools before, but we would like to explain that it’s really difficult making an accurate top-list, as we use a couple of sources of information and based on that we conduct our own list. Moreover, the schools compete in quality so without a doubt the top ones switch rankings from one year to another.
We would like for our readers to see us as an informative and educative web-source, rather than discrediting or biased one. That’s why we didn’t make this list comparative and it will serve only to mention which schools offer the best education for future vet techs.
List of Top Veterinary Technician Schools
Pima Medical Institute in Tucson, Arizona
With more than 40 years of experience in training future vet techs and allied health care professionals, the Pima Medical Institute has its honorary place in the top accredited vet tech schools in the US. As an independently owned private school, it’s the largest one in the United States and is accredited by the ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools) as well.
Michigan State University, East Lansing
Future graduates at the MSU can opt between a bachelor’s of science degree in Veterinary Technology or a Certificate of Completion in Veterinary Technology. Besides being one the best veterinary technician institution, it’s also ranked among the best 75 universities in the nationwide. The AVMA accredited vet technician programs last 4 years. In-state tuition for this university costs about $115.000 and out-of-state tuition is almost double than that (around $225.000).
Vet Tech Institute of Houston
Unlike MSU, the Houston located Vet Tech Institute can grant you with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science (in Vet Technology) in 18 months. This program is also accredited by the AVMA.
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
To participate in getting a bachelor’s in Veterinary Technology Degree at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Nebraska, you need to pay approximately $19.000 in-state annual tuition or $23.000 out-of-state tuition. The program lasts for two years only. Only graduates with AVMA accredited associate’s degree can get into the undergraduate program at UNL.
Purdue University – North Central
The great thing about this school is that there is an option for an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science acquired with distance learning, which is a great chance for completing clinical mentorship at your current workplace. There is also a more hands-on and more demanding BS program in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology. In-state tuition costs about $19.000 annually and out of state tuition costs $44.000 annually.
The Cedar Valley College
The college’s Veterinary Technician Program has been accredited by the AVMA back in 1978. After graduates successfully complete the program, they can take NBE (National Board Exams) to become Licensed Veterinary Technician in the state of Texas. The College is located in southern Dallas County.
Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Besides taking the usual BS in Veterinary Technology, the college offers you a chance to take on an externship. The externship can be in the local zoo or in one of the many vet clinics in that area. Per-term cost for Mercy College is about $8.500.
The Jefferson State Community College
The education program at JSCC is based on distance learning. The vet tech programs combine a minimum of 20 hours of theoretical classes weekly. A local clinic near the student is the place where the clinical skills will be performed afterward.
The University of California – Davis
The UC – Davis is considered of the best places for learning veterinary medicine, not just for veterinary technicians but for veterinarians as well. The school offers basic veterinary technician training and courses for becoming Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine. The great thing about the institution is the on-hand experience where students have access to various sophisticated animal care facilities. Although it’s not AVMA accredited, this tech program still deserves to be mentioned.
MESA Community College
Students here can explore fields such as basic medical science, veterinary medical care, animal care with the advanced training program in Animal Health and Veterinary Technology. Besides theoretical learning, students perform a lot of practical work and duties and gain significant clinical experience in both companion and farm animals.
The Yuba College
The college teaches the students basic and advanced veterinary technician skills and knowledge necessary for a well-trained vet tech. The vet tech program provides the necessary skills for becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT).
The Los Angeles Pierce College
Pierce College is one of the most popular Vet Tech institutions in the United States. The school covers many subject fields and the courses can get you one of the many certificates they offer.
The College of Southern Idaho
The college has a great reputation and it’s the first ever in Idaho to offer the chance of getting an Associate’s of Applied Science degree in PVT (Progressive Veterinary Technology). It’s the perfect place to combine the passion for medicine and science with the passion for animals.
So these are what we consider to be, the best vet tech educative institutions, though we know we probably missed other great schools as well. If you have any suggestions on which other schools and programs can be on this list, please feel free to mention them in comments.
If you need more info about professional Vet Tech education, you may find interesting the article Choosing a School: Does an Online Vet Tech Program Make Sense? on our blog.
