school of veterinary medicine california

1. The University of California – Davis, California (90 points)

The public University of California-Davis is one of the world’s leading research schools in the world. The school is highly ranked nationally because of its award-winning faculty. The school offers a four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, as well as a Master’s in Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Ph.D. options. The school has flexible programs that allow the students to focus on livestock, zoology, pathology, public health, and research.

The School of Veterinary Medicine provides clinical service, public service programs, educational research to advance the care and health of animals and their environment. Students have one of the very lowest debt loads of any veterinary students because of how much of their fees are paid through return-to-aid and philanthropic funds.

*2019-2020 graduation is 99%; average graduation rate over 7 years is 94%

• Tuition per year: $32,127.25 (CA Resident); $44, 372.25 (Out of State Resident)
• Graduation Rate: 99%*
• Acceptance Rate: 15%

2. Western University of Health Sciences – Pomona, CA (85 points)

The Western University of Health Sciences is a private university that offers an excellent Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in Pomona, California. With a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, the students are offered excellent education and services by the lectures and hands-on experience. The college encourages its students to grow by encouraging both personal and professional development. The community boasts of competent, caring, and ethical professionals where scholarship, cooperative learning, and public service can flourish.

• Tuition: $59,600 per year
• Graduation Rate: 55%
• Acceptance Rate: N/A

Vet Assistant and Vet Tech Programs

1. Stanbridge University – Irvine, California (88 points)

Stanbridge University offers undergraduate courses in veterinary technology and is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. They offer educational service that’s highly rewarding and is leading in healing and caring for animals.

• Tuition: approximately $12,352 per year
• Graduation Rate: 81%
• Acceptance Rate: 32%
• VTNE Pass Rate: 86%, 3-year average from 2017 to 2020

2. Platt College – Alhambra, California (80 points)

Platt College offers undergraduate programs in veterinary technology. It takes about 18 months to get an associate’s degree. The courses provide depth for the students to get necessary entry into the career world.

• Tuition: $13,794 approximately per year
• Graduation Rate: 68%
• Acceptance Rate: 100%

3. Carrington College – Sacramento, California (79 points)

Carrington College offers a veterinary assistant certificate that can be completed in as little as 9 months. It prepares students for entry-level jobs in a veterinary clinic. It also offers a 19-month veterinary technician program for those who are keen on becoming animal practitioners. They offer hands-on training in veterinary medicine and get to earn an associate’s degree in 19 months.

• Tuition: approximately $33,546
• Graduation Rate: 50%
• Acceptance Rate: 80%

4. San Joaquin Valley College – Visalia, California (78 points)

The College of San Joaquin Valley is a private institution that offers both a veterinary assistant certificate (9 months) and a veterinary technician program (18 months). Both will lead to great careers in a fast-growing field.

• Tuition: approximately $16,606
• Graduation Rate: 55%
• Acceptance Rate: 100%

5. California State Polytechnic University – Pomona, California (75 points)

The California State Polytechnic University offers several programs for those wishing to work with animals. Their four-year B.S. in Animal Health Science prepares students to become veterinary technicians, and their M.S. in Agriculture with a sub-plan in Animal Science allows students to learn more about their particular interests in animal health, nutrition, physiology, production, and management. It also prepares students for pursuing a doctorate, should they choose. The location of the school offers rich opportunities for students to obtain specialized and practical educational experiences. They have courses like production management, feeding habits, and marketing organizations.

• Tuition: approximately $7,353 per year
• Graduation Rate: 71%
• Acceptance Rate: 30%

6. Pima Medical Institute- San Marcos, California (72 points)

Pima Medical Institute offers a veterinary assistant certificate and an undergraduate program to be a veterinary technician, which basically means an animal nurse. The students who undergo the veterinary technician program are dedicated and caring professionals who nature the health and well-being of the animals. By the end of the programs, the students will be able to:

1. Perform laboratory tests such as urinalysis and blood tests.
2. Provide nursing care for the emergency and recovering animals.
3. Take and develop x-ray images
4. Observe the behavior and condition of the animals.

• Tuition: approximately $10,830 per year
• Graduation Rate: 55%
• Acceptance Rate: 31%

University of California-Davis offers 4 Veterinary Science degree programs. It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2019, 142 Veterinary Science students graduated with students earning 135 Doctoral degrees, and 7 Master’s degrees.

University of California-San Diego offers 1 Veterinary Science degree programs. It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 42 Veterinary Science students graduated with students earning 42 Bachelor’s degrees.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona offers 1 Veterinary Science degree programs. It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2019, 20 Veterinary Science students graduated with students earning 20 Bachelor’s degrees.

The integrated application program run by the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges is utilized by most U.S. veterinary schools (Veterinary Medical College Application Service-VMCAS). This application service recognizes and distributes your application and your letters of assessment to each school you specify. Applicants should be confident that their transcripts are sent to VMCAS. Most schools often provide a secondary application upon request.

There are various reasons why becoming a vet is rewarding.

1. You are not required to choose a specialty and get to work with a variety of animals in a day. This can be highly satisfying and fulfilling, especially if you love animals.
2. According to the US Bureau of labor statistics, the employment rate of vets is expected to increase by 20% in the next five years. This, therefore, means there will be no shortage of jobs. In addition, the jobs come with a good salary of up to $107,000 a year.
3. You are likely to get incredible colleagues as most vets are compassionate, caring, and very understanding. This will help you build a strong professional background and great industry expertise.
4. You get to expand your knowledge every time, and this will quench the natural thirst in you as a curious person in nature.
5. You have the opportunity to shape your career and expands to other careers along the way.
6. Your relationship with other people is likely to be better as people see vets as doctors who save lives.