Veterinary Medicine Schools and Programs in The United States

Veterinary Medicine Studies in The United States

Veterinary medicine is the science of diagnosing, preventing and treating disease in animals, from pets and farm animals to zoo and laboratory animals. It also covers food safety and the control of diseases that pass from animals to people. In the United States, the route to becoming a veterinarian is a professional doctorate that follows a bachelor's degree, so it is a long path of about eight years after secondary school.

How the degree is organised

The profession is entered through the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that veterinarians "must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited veterinary college, as well as a state license". The programme generally takes 4 years and combines classroom, laboratory and clinical work, and students typically spend the final year doing clinical rotations in a veterinary medical centre or hospital.

At Oregon State University, for example, the four-year DVM is taught in person in Corvallis and cannot be completed online: the first three years are mostly coursework and the fourth is a clinical year in the Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital and with partner organisations. The college states that it is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education. The University of Maryland shows how institutions can share the work: its Department of Veterinary Medicine offers the M.S. and Ph.D. in Comparative Biomedical Sciences at College Park, while DVM students of the joint Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine complete their clinical and professional training in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Other routes exist for people who prefer a shorter or more technical path. According to the BLS, veterinary technicians usually have a 2-year associate's degree in veterinary technology, and veterinary technologists a 4-year bachelor's degree. Research careers in animal health usually add a master's or a PhD; EducationUSA puts the length of a US doctorate at five to eight years.

Admission, English and visa

Admission to veterinary programmes is competitive, according to the BLS, and applicants typically already hold a bachelor's degree in a field such as biology, with many science courses completed. The exact rules differ by college. Oregon State, for instance, prefers no specific undergraduate programme but lists prerequisite courses, does not require a finished bachelor's degree, asks for a science GPA of 3.0 or higher, and requires an application verified through VMCAS, the common veterinary application service. From the 2027-2028 admission cycle it will also require the Casper situational judgment test. Always check each college's own page, because international applicants may face extra requirements.

EducationUSA states that US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. Students who come on a degree programme normally apply for an F student visa, which requires admission to an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Those not ready for the professional programme can begin at a community college: EducationUSA describes the "2+2" route, with two years at a community college followed by two years at a university to complete the bachelor's degree.

Where to study veterinary medicine in the United States

The 23 schools listed here include large public research universities, community colleges and other institutions. EducationUSA notes that no official ranking system exists for US colleges and universities, so the choice depends on your own priorities. Examples with veterinary activity include:

• The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, whose College of Veterinary Medicine has three academic departments (Comparative Biosciences, Pathobiology and Veterinary Clinical Medicine) and a Veterinary Teaching Hospital
• Oregon State University in Corvallis, with its Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine
• The University of Maryland in College Park, linked to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

The list also contains community colleges in places such as Norfolk, Albany (Oregon) and Cedar Rapids, which are the usual starting point for the 2+2 route. Each school's profile on this site gives its website and programmes.

Licensing and careers

To practise, a veterinarian must be licensed. The BLS explains that all states require an accredited veterinary programme and a qualifying exam, that most states also require a state exam, and that few states accept licences from other states. Anyone who plans to work in the United States after graduating should therefore check the licensing board of the chosen state. Most veterinarians work in private clinics and hospitals. The BLS reports a median annual wage of $130,100 for veterinarians in May 2025 and projects employment growth of 9 percent from 2025 to 2035. Veterinary technicians and technologists must typically pass a credentialing exam as well.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study veterinary medicine in the United States straight after secondary school?

Not for the DVM. The BLS states that applicants to veterinary school typically have a bachelor's degree, so students first complete an undergraduate degree, often in biology or animal science. Some colleges, such as Oregon State, do not require a finished bachelor's degree but do require the prerequisite science courses.

How long does it take to become a veterinarian in the United States?

The DVM generally takes 4 years, and a bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study according to EducationUSA, so the full route is typically about eight years.

Is a US veterinary degree enough to practise in the United States?

The degree must come from an accredited college and be followed by a qualifying exam and a state licence, according to the BLS. Requirements vary by state, so check the state licensing board.

Is there a shorter way into the animal health field?

Yes. Veterinary technicians usually hold a 2-year associate's degree in veterinary technology, according to the BLS. The role is different from that of a veterinarian and also requires an exam in most states.