The Current Count of Accredited Veterinary Schools

There are 32 accredited veterinary schools in the United States as of 2024. This number has remained stable for several years, though the schools themselves have expanded class sizes and added new campuses in some cases. All 32 are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), which sets the standards for veterinary education across the country.

The schools are spread across 26 states, meaning some states have more than one veterinary school and some have none. If you live in a state without a veterinary school, you would need to attend school out of state — though some states have agreements with neighboring schools to reserve seats for their residents at lower tuition rates.

Key Takeaways

  • Thirty-two AVMA-accredited veterinary schools operate in the United States, located across 26 states.
  • Five states have two veterinary schools each: California, New York, Ohio, Texas, and North Carolina.
  • Twenty-four states have no veterinary school, so residents must attend school elsewhere or use regional agreements.
  • Admission to veterinary school is highly competitive, with most schools accepting fewer than 10 percent of applicants.
  • Veterinary school typically takes four years to complete and leads to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.

Which States Have Veterinary Schools

California leads with three schools: UC Davis, Western University of Health Sciences, and University of San Francisco. New York, Ohio, Texas, and North Carolina each have two schools. The remaining 21 states with veterinary schools have one each.

States with no veterinary school include Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming, and several others. Residents of these states can still become veterinarians, but they must move to attend school or use a regional contract program if their state has one.

Some states have formal agreements with neighboring schools. For example, Wyoming residents can attend Colorado State University's veterinary school at in-state tuition rates. These contracts vary by state and change over time, so checking with your state's veterinary medical board is the best way to learn what options exist where you live.

How Competitive Veterinary School Admission Is

Veterinary school is one of the most selective graduate programs in the United States. Most schools accept between 50 and 150 students per class, and they receive thousands of applications each year. Acceptance rates typically fall between 5 and 10 percent, meaning nine out of every ten applicants are rejected.

Schools look at your undergraduate GPA, performance in science courses, scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), veterinary experience, and personal qualities. Most schools require at least 200 to 500 hours of hands-on experience working with animals — either as a veterinary assistant, volunteer at a shelter or clinic, or through research. Without this experience, your process is unlikely to be competitive.

What Veterinary School Costs and How Long It Takes

Veterinary school takes four years to complete. During that time, you earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, which is required to practice as a veterinarian in any state.

Tuition and fees vary widely. At public schools, in-state tuition ranges from roughly $15,000 to $30,000 per year, while out-of-state tuition can reach $40,000 to $60,000 per year. Private veterinary schools typically cost $35,000 to $50,000 per year. Over four years, total debt for graduates often exceeds $100,000, though some students graduate with less if they receive scholarships or have family support.

The Difference Between DVM and Other Veterinary Degrees

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) is the standard degree that allows you to practice as a veterinarian and treat animals. Every accredited veterinary school in the United States awards the DVM. Some schools call it a VMD (Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris), but it is the same credential.

After earning your DVM, you must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) in your state to get your license. Some veterinarians then pursue additional training in a specialty — such as surgery, dentistry, or emergency medicine — through a residency program that takes two to four additional years.

New Veterinary Schools and Expansion

The number of accredited schools has not grown significantly in recent decades, but several schools have opened satellite campuses or expanded their class sizes. For example, Western University of Health Sciences opened a campus in Utah, and some schools have increased their annual class size from around 75 students to 100 or more.

There is ongoing discussion in the veterinary profession about whether the United States needs more schools to meet the demand for veterinarians, particularly in rural areas. However, opening a new veterinary school is expensive and time-consuming, requiring years of planning, accreditation review, and funding before the first class enrolls.

How to Find and Research Veterinary Schools

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) maintains a complete list of all accredited veterinary schools on its website, along with links to each school's admissions page. This is the most reliable source for current information about programs, admission requirements, and tuition.

Each school has its own admissions timeline, prerequisites, and process process. Most schools use the Veterinary Medical College process Service (VMCAS), a centralized process system similar to the one used for medical school. You submit one process through VMCAS, and it is sent to the schools you choose. A few schools have their own separate process process, so check each school's website directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a veterinarian if there is no veterinary school in my state?

Yes. You can attend a veterinary school in another state. Some states have regional contract agreements that let you attend a neighboring school at in-state tuition rates. Contact your state's veterinary medical board to learn whether your state has such an agreement and which schools participate.

What is the difference between a veterinarian and a veterinary technician?

A veterinarian holds a DVM degree, attends four years of veterinary school, and is licensed to diagnose disease, prescribe medication, and perform surgery. A veterinary technician completes a two-year associate degree program and works under a veterinarian's supervision. Technicians handle many clinical tasks but cannot diagnose or prescribe independently.

Do all 32 veterinary schools teach the same thing?

All accredited schools teach the core knowledge needed to pass the licensing exam and practice as a veterinarian. However, schools differ in their focus areas — some emphasize large-animal medicine, others specialize in small-animal practice, and some have strong programs in exotic animals or wildlife medicine. Research individual schools to find one that matches your interests.

How many times can I explore to veterinary school if I am rejected?

There is no official limit on how many times you can explore. However, most schools want to see improvement between applications — better test scores, more veterinary experience, or a stronger personal statement. explore again with the same qualifications is unlikely to change the outcome. Many successful applicants reapply after gaining more experience or improving their grades.

Is veterinary school harder than medical school?

Both are rigorous, but they differ in focus. Veterinary school covers multiple species and systems, while medical school focuses on human medicine. Admission to both is highly competitive. The coursework, clinical training, and licensing exams in veterinary medicine are considered equally demanding by most educators.