Top 25 Veterinary Technician Programs

Veterinary technician programs teach the skills necessary to work in the fast-growing field of veterinary tech. These programs introduce the fundamentals of nursing, anesthesia, pharmacology, surgery, and other veterinary functions. Students also learn important computer, IT, and interpersonal skills.

Most schools offer veterinary technician associate degrees, which take two years to complete. Learners complete hundreds of hours of clinical experience through internships and externships. Because many vet technician programs embrace online learning, students often pay relatively low tuition rates.

Online vet tech programs lead to positions as veterinary technologists and technicians. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), vet technologists and technicians earned a median salary of $35,320 in 2019. The BLS projects jobs for these professionals to grow by 16% between 2019 and 2029, which is much faster than average. With additional education, some vet techs find positions as veterinarians.

Top 10 Veterinary Technician Programs

Rank	School	Location
1	Purdue University	West Lafayette, IN
2	University of New Hampshire	Durham, NH
3	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred	Alfred, NY
4	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi	Delhi, NY
5	Johnson College	Scranton, PA
6	Northwestern State University of Louisiana	Natchitoches, LA
7	Vermont Technical College	Randolph, VT
8	Ogeechee Technical College	Statesboro, GA
9	Northeast Community College	Norfolk, NE
10	SUNY College of Technology at Canton	Canton, NE

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What Are the Goals of a Veterinary Technician Program?

Most veterinary technician programs lead to two-year associate degrees. During these programs, learners complete courses online and gain clinical experience onsite at veterinary practices, human societies, zoos, wildlife facilities, and research facilities.

Specifics vary by program, but most veterinary tech programs blend introductory veterinary coursework with business, mathematics, communications, and computer courses. For example, schools may require learners to finish college mathematics and information literacy courses before diving into more advanced vet tech courses like surgical nursing and radiography.

During their vet tech programs, students must complete at least one externship to learn practical skills. Programs usually include externships, which require at least 200 supervised clinical experience hours, in their required curricula. Vet tech program applicants must submit high school diplomas or GED certificates, and some programs require applicants to first complete prerequisite courses in biology and medical terminology.

By the end of their online vet tech programs, learners demonstrate verbal and written communication skills, computer literacy, and knowledge of pharmacology, nursing, and anesthesia techniques. Graduates meet the minimum requirements to work as veterinary technologists or technicians and, if required by the state, secure professional licensure.

Benefits of Pursuing a Veterinary Technician Career

"Helping animals, and sometimes saving their lives, can be incredibly rewarding."

Aside from entering a high-growth field, veterinary technicians get to work closely with animals and sometimes save their lives. Some benefits of pursuing a veterinary tech career include:

• High Job Growth Rate

  The BLS projects jobs for veterinary technologists and technicians to grow by 16% between 2019 and 2029, much faster than the national average growth rate for all occupations.

• Learn Valuable Skills

  Veterinary techs learn biology, nursing, anesthesia, surgical nursing, and radiography skills, along with professional skills like communication, information technology, and mathematics.

• Work Flexible Hours

  Animal emergencies happen at any time, and veterinary techs often work odd hours. This could mean picking hours that fit around personal schedules.

• Work With Animals

  Anyone who loves animals could enjoy a career as a veterinary tech. These professionals work with dogs, cats, birds, fish, snakes, and other household and exotic pets.

• Personal Satisfaction

  Veterinary technicians check up on animals and ensure they stay healthy. Helping animals, and sometimes saving their lives, can be incredibly rewarding.

How to Become a Veterinary Technician

Prospective veterinary technicians should first earn a veterinary technician associate degree. Employers prefer candidates who hold at least an associate degree, and some states require veterinary technicians to complete a minimum level of education. The BLS recommends that current high school students who plan on becoming veterinary technicians should take biology courses in high school. This could satisfy prerequisite courses for associate programs.

While specifics vary by state, most veterinary techs must earn a license or certification. For example, states commonly require prospective veterinary techs to complete the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), a standardized exam offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. Eligibility requirements for the VTNE also vary by state.

While eligibility requirements for certification or licensure vary by state, most states require at least 250 supervised clinical hours to sit for the VTNE. Accredited veterinary tech programs usually require learners to complete these hours before graduating, ensuring graduates can immediately become certified or licensed.

According to the BLS, veterinary technicians and technologists earn an annual median wage of $35,320, though the top 10% of earners make more than $51,230 per year. Between 2019 and 2029, the BLS projects an added 18,300 veterinary tech positions to the U.S. economy. Professionals who want to increase their earning potential can continue their schooling and become veterinary technologists or veterinarians.

Finding a Veterinary Technician Program

"Fortunately, many online vet tech programs offer affordable rates, especially compared to on-campus counterparts."

Learners interested in veterinary technician programs likely want an affordable degree with excellent career outcomes. Tuition rates greatly influence which programs students select. Fortunately, many online vet tech programs offer affordable rates, especially compared to on-campus counterparts. Prospective learners can also research financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, grants, and paid internships.

Program length also plays an important role in choosing a school. Most associate degrees take full-time enrollees two years to complete. However, year-round learners, online courses, and accelerated programs all lead to faster program competition times. Finishing the vet tech degree faster could cut total tuition costs while letting graduates begin their new career even sooner.

Learners who select an online vet tech program should consider faculty, course structure, and in-person requirements. Faculty sometimes teach both onsite and online courses, meaning online students receive the same quality education.

Course structure, specifically synchronous or asynchronous courses, influences students' flexibility within the program. Synchronous courses set a rigid schedule while asynchronous courses let students complete courses at their own pace. Finally, all vet tech programs require at least some in-person clinical experience, but schools may organize on-campus immersions.

Accreditation for a Veterinary Technician Program

When researching online vet tech programs, prospective students should pay special attention to accreditation. Accreditation verifies the academic quality of a school or program. To find organizations that extend accreditation, consult the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, one of the main bodies that approve accrediting organizations.

Community colleges, universities, and colleges receive either national or regional accreditation. While both demonstrate academic quality, the best schools receive regional accreditation. Learners should only consider schools with regional accreditation as employers and other schools may not accept applicants with a degree from a nationally accredited school.

After ensuring the school received regional accreditation, applicants should look for programmatic accreditation. For veterinary technician programs, look for accreditation from organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Organizations like the AVMA ensure that vet tech programs meet industry standards, improving graduates' chances of finding a good position after graduation.

Courses in a Veterinary Technician Program

Curricula for veterinary technician programs begin with important foundational courses, gradually moving on to advanced topics. Foundational courses cover subjects like mathematics and English, and teach critical skills for day-to-day veterinary technician tasks. Advanced courses cover topics such as biology and nursing, and build off the foundational courses. Learners gain the knowledge necessary to become certified.

Some programs might allow for specialized elective courses that focus on a specific animal or technique. However, most vet tech degrees only cover topics required for licensure. While specific course requirements and subject matter vary by program, many vet tech degrees require the following courses.

Small Animal Husbandry and Restraint

Usually offered early on in vet tech programs, this course teaches the basics of housing and providing care to small animals. The course also includes methods of safely handling and treating small animals, particularly cats and dogs. Students must learn to work with small animals before beginning an externship and earning clinical experience.

Animal Anatomy and Physiology

Sometimes split into multiple courses, this course covers the functions within animal bodies. Learners discover how animals metabolize and the different functions of organs and tissues within different animal species. Later, enrollees study animal skeletal structures and various systems including nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive. This course lays the foundation for providing care for ailing animals.

College Mathematics

This course serves primarily to verify that learners understand the mathematical skills required in day-to-day veterinary technician duties. Learners study whole numbers, fractions, ratios, percentages, algebra, statistics, and measurements. During a vet tech degree, students learn how to apply college mathematics to more advanced skills, including measuring doses for animals of different sizes and determining the healthy size or weight of animals.

Radiography for Veterinary Technicians

Radiography, including radiation, ultrasounds, and X-rays, provides veterinary techs with methods of diagnosing animals with internal issues. The course teaches learners to use radiographic equipment, including safe handling and use. Students discover different development procedures for various types of tests. Finally, students apply what they learn during their externships. Vet techs regularly use radiography to treat animals, so learners must master this skill before testing for certification.

Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Technicians

While not always required, some vet techs must assist veterinarians with animal surgeries. This course teaches the basics of surgery, including the preparation of a surgery environment and the different tools used in animal surgeries. Vet techs who aid in surgeries usually prepare and monitor animals before and during the surgery. After the vet completes the surgery, vet techs help animals recover.

Certifications and Licensure for Veterinary Technicians

While requirements vary by state, most veterinary technicians must earn professional certification. Many states use the Veterinary Technician National Exam, a standardized test offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB). If students prefer to work in a similar role, such as veterinary assistant or veterinarian, they must earn additional certifications.

FAQ

Question	Answer
How do you become a veterinary technician?	Veterinary technicians must complete at least an associate degree, earn satisfactory clinical experience, and pass a certification or licensing exam.
What is the role of a veterinary technician?	Veterinary technicians perform various tests to diagnose ailments to animals. Tasks including observing animals, administering anesthesia, and providing emergency care.
Do vet techs make good money?	According to the BLS, vet techs earn about $17 per hour. However, specific pay rates vary by state, experience, and industry.
How much does a veterinarian technician make a year?	Veterinary techs earn a median annual salary of $35,320, according to the BLS However, the top 10% of earners make more than $51,230.

Top 25 Veterinary Technician Programs

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1	Purdue University West Lafayette, IN	Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, offers on-campus vet tech programs that include hands-on experience working with animals. The programs include a bachelor of science degree, an associate of applied science degree, and a bachelor of science completion option. These degree paths take between three and four years to complete. A maximum of 30 students are admitted to the vet tech program each year. For those who prefer to take classes online, Purdue’s veterinary technology distance learning program offers an associate of applied science degree. The curriculum consists of 27 didactic courses and 18 clinical mentorships. It is designed to be taken part-time over a period of three years. Most students who take this program are already working for a veterinarian and plan to continue this career path.	Visit Site
2	University of New Hampshire Durham, NH	University of New Hampshire, located in Durham, offers an associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology. The program provides students with hands-on experience working with animals in shelters and at a low-cost vaccination clinic off campus, and a full-service veterinary clinic on-campus. Students have opportunities to work with large animals on campus. Applicants must have passed college-preparatory math, biology, and chemistry classes. Prior experience working with animals in a professional setting is recommended.	Visit Site
3	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred, NY	SUNY College of Technology, located in Alfred, NY, offers a two-year vet tech program. Graduates earn an associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology and are prepared for licensure exams. A 240-hour preceptorship is also required for graduation, which can be completed by working part-time at an appropriate veterinary facility.	Visit Site
4	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi Delhi, NY	SUNY College of Technology, located in Delhi, NY, offers an associate of applied science degree in veterinary science technology. The program offers facilities for hands-on education with companion, lab, and farm animals. The large complex houses livestock, including horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens. Students receive on-the-job training during required preceptorships. Special educational opportunities include working with shelter animals, raising “Guiding Eyes for the Blind” puppies on campus, special electives, and a wildlife management study abroad program in South Africa.	Visit Site
5	Johnson College Scranton, PA	Johnson College, located in Scranton, PA, has an associate of science degree in veterinary technology that prepares students for work as entry-level technicians. Second-year students gain hands-on experience by completing clinical rotations in the on-campus pet wellness center. The program consists 69 credit hours taken during a two-year period.	Visit Site
6	Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LA	Northwestern State, located in Natchitoches, offers an associate degree in veterinary technology. The program consists of 81 credit hours which are taken over three years. An veterinary internship provides real-world experience.	Visit Site
7	Vermont Technical College Randolph, VT	Vermont Technical College, located in Randolph Center, offers a two-year veterinary technology program. The faculty includes two full-time veterinarians and a certified veterinary technician. Students receive hands-on experience working with animals. The facility on the main campus gives students the chance to work with various companion animals, sheep, chickens, and rabbits. The college farm provides opportunities to work with dairy cattle and horses.	Visit Site
8	Ogeechee Technical College Statesboro, GA	Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro, Georgia, offers a veterinary technology associate of applied science degree. Students must earn at least 80 credit hours and complete a minimum of 1,995 contact hours. This program can be completed in six semesters. The vet tech internship requires a minimum of 540 hours in a supervised clinical setting, with students receiving hands-on experience performing the functions of an actual tech.	Visit Site
9	Northeast Community College Norfolk, NE	Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, offers an associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology. This program requires students to earn at least 77 credit hours, including an internship in a veterinary clinic during the last semester. Applicants must complete 50 hours of observation with a licensed veterinary technician.	Visit Site
10	SUNY College of Technology at Canton Canton, NY	SUNY College of Technology in Canton, New York, blends classroom instruction with practical, hands-on experience. Graduates earn an associate of applied science degree in veterinary science technology. The degree requires 66 credit hours and is taken over a two-year period, but students have up to four years to complete the degree. Students work with animals in small laboratory sections that include an average of about 20 students each. In the final year of the program, each student must complete two 120-hour preceptorships in a facility such as a veterinary hospital, animal shelter, animal research facility, or zoo.	Visit Site
11	Medaille College Buffalo, NY	Medaille College in Rochester, New York, offers an associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology that can be earned either on campus or through an online program. The on-campus program includes hands-on training and consists of 70 credit hours taken over two and a half years. Students meet one evening per week from 6:00-10:00 p.m. in order to accommodate students who are working full-time. The online program consists of 70 credit hours taken over two years. The in-person program is AVMA-accredited, and Medaille College has applied for AVMA accreditation for the online program.	Visit Site
12	Central Carolina Community College Sanford, NC	Central Carolina Community College, located in Sanford, North Carolina, offers a program which consists of 71 credit hours. The program takes five semesters to complete and leads to an associate in applied science degree in veterinary medical technology. The program gives students access to a diverse selection of animals, including a large dog and cat ward and other large animals. Students receive hands-on experience and view demonstrations of various techniques. Classes are held on campus during weekdays. Some classes may be taken online, but the majority must be attended in person.	Visit Site
13	Morehead State University Morehead, KY	MSU, located in Morehead, KY, offers an associate of applied science in veterinary technology. The six-semester program consists of 62 credit hours. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 120 hours of supervised work or volunteer experience in a professional veterinary setting. A written recommendation from the supervising veterinarian also is required. Enrollment is limited to 40 students per year.	Visit Site
14	Gaston College Dallas, NC	Gaston College offers an associate of applied science degree in veterinary medical technology. The program consists of 73 credit hours which are taken over six semesters. Classes are held during weekdays, generally running from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Beginning in the third semester, students must complete daily kennel duty and animal care duty. Some courses are available at night, but all veterinary classes are held during the day.	Visit Site
15	Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Curtis, NE	Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, located in Curtis, offers an an associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology systems. Students will gain hands-on experience working with a wide variety of animals, and can learn more by completing internships, working in laboratories, or traveling with the NCTA Safari Club.	Visit Site
16	Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TN	Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, offers an associate of science degree in veterinary medical technology. The program can be completed in two years with a curriculum that consists of 73 credit hours, or completed in three years which takes 78-80 credit hours. Applicants must complete 20 hours of observation in a veterinary facility before applying and submit confidential evaluator forms from two separate sources. The program emphasizes hands-on experience with animals, preventative medicine, and community service.	Visit Site
17	Bellingham Technical College Bellingham, WA	Bellingham Technical College, located in Bellingham, Washington, offers a vet tech program which leads to an associate of applied science degree. The program consists of 155 credit hours, spanning the pre-program and six quarters. Students receive hands-on training, which prepares them for their career as a vet tech, and 97% of learners who complete the program are employed within nine months of graduation.	Visit Site
18	Shawnee Community College Ullin, IL	Shawnee Community College, located in Ullin, Illinois, offers an associate of science degree in veterinary technology. The two-year program consists of 67-68 credit hours. Applicants must complete 30 hours of supervised veterinary clinical observation or employment before admission. The program is offered through the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market (SICCM). This allows students from several colleges across southern Illinois to take general education courses on their own campuses and veterinary courses together in a central classroom on the SICCM campus in Herrin, IL.	Visit Site
19	Southeastern Illinois College Harrisburg, IL	Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg, IL, offers an associate of science degree in veterinary technology. The two-year program consists of 68 credit hours. The program is offered through the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market (SICCM), which allows students from several colleges across southern Illinois to take general education courses on their own campuses and veterinary courses at a central classroom on the SICCM campus in Herrin, IL.	Visit Site
20	Colby Community College Colby, KS	Colby Community College, located in Colby, Kansas, offers an associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology, available either on campus or online. Both options consist of 82 credit hours. On-campus students can complete the program in two years. Online students have the option of either a part-time or full-time course load, which takes four years and two years respectively. On-campus students receive hands-on training with various animals and have access to large animals on the 60-acre farm located east of Colby.	Visit Site
21	Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GA	Southern Regional Technical College in Thomasville, Georgia, offers an associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology. The six-semester program consists of 81 credit hours, including a clinical internship in the final semester. Students receive hands-on training with cats and dogs. They also learn how to identify the parasites most commonly found in small animals, how to perform x-rays, and how to perform an intravenous catheterization on cats and dogs.	Visit Site
22	Ridgewater College Bridgewater, VA	Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minnesota, offers an associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology. The program consists of 75 credit hours. It is designed to be completed in about two years, but a student may take three or more years if they are simultaneously working more than 20 hours per week. Classes start each fall, with approximately 60 students in each class. These classes are divided into lab groups, containing no more than 16 students per lab, and each lab has a veterinarian instructor and a certified veterinary technician laboratory assistant. The small student-to-instructor ratio guarantees each student will receive personal attention.	Visit Site
23	Becker College Worcester, MA	Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts, offers an associate of science degree in veterinary technology. The program lasts two years and consists of 64 credit hours. Students receive classroom instruction and gain hands-on experience at Becker’s Lenfest Animal Center, which features a busy veterinary clinic. Additional learning opportunities include field trips to shelters and large animal facilities, and an externship experience in an approved veterinary practice or facility.	Visit Site
24	Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA	Northern Virginia Community College, located in Sterling, offers an associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology. A full-time program is available for on-campus students, which is designed to last two years. A part-time, online course is available as well for students who work as a veterinary assistant at an approved practice site for an average of at least 20 hours per week. The online program takes three years to complete.	Visit Site
25	Athens Technical College Athens, GA	Athens Technical College in Athens, Georgia, offers an associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology. Students must complete a minimum of 80 credit hours to earn this degree. The program is designed to allow graduates to obtain entry-level employment as a vet tech working with any type of animal. It is recommended that applicants have previous experience, either volunteer or paid, working in a veterinary hospital or other animal care facility under the supervision of a veterinarian.	Visit Site

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To determine the best vet technician schools, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the 50 best vet technician programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.

Last Updated: September 23, 2020