A career as a veterinarian is surely lucrative, and with experience, the salary structure improves considerably. The US is home to some of the most prestigious vet universities, and students who wish to enroll in these institutions first need to clear an entrance examination.
In order to become a successful and legitimate veterinarian, a student should complete the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. The completion of this degree requires 4 years of study from an accredited college. Here are some of the best vet schools of the United States.
Cornell University
Cornell is situated in Ithaca, New York. It is also home to the Baker Institute for Animal Health which is one of the oldest animal health and care centers of the United States. Through the extensive research over a number of years, Cornell has always tried to make some new accomplishments in the field of animal and human health care.
The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine offers a number of courses which include biomedical sciences, population medicine, gene molecule medicine for students. In addition to the DVM, the school also offers a Ph. D. and a dual DVM/Ph. D.
Why Cornell?
Considered the best college for veterinary medicine in the United States by US News & World Report consistently since 2000.
Cornell awarded the first DVM degree in 1876 to Daniel Salmon, (discoverer of Salmonella). Mr. Salmon was also the founder the US Bureau of Animal Industry.
The University of California – Davis
The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine was founded in 1948. It is one of the top vet schools in the United States and the only one in the Californian Education System. In addition to the DVM, the school offers graduate academic MS and Ph. D. programs. It also has a hospital residency program which offers training in 32 specialization courses. It is also the only university in the Californian University System authorized to award the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree or DVM.
Why UC Davis?
At UC Davis, doctors believe in providing the highest quality of health care to animals and train students to become world-class veterinarians.
Students are also encouraged to train in 25 different research centers which are maintained by the school. These research centers are distributed in three parts which include the SeaDoc Society that helps in preservation of marine life, Dairy Food Safety Laboratory, and Wildlife Health Center.
Colorado State University
Located in Fort Collins, Colorado State University is famous for its veterinary science program which is in collaboration with the department of biomedical sciences. The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences has the largest research program in the field of veterinary medicine in the world.
Why Colorado State University?
More than 30 different veterinary courses are offered every year. Students are trained by the nation’s best veterinarians and are made familiar with latest cutting-edge technology being developed for the betterment of animals.
Students can opt for a joint degree which includes a Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Health
Ohio State University
Founded in 1870, the Ohio State University is one of the most respected and popular universities of the nation. Its college of veterinary medicine was established in 1885, and since then has produced more than 7000 veterinarians. The school enrolls 160 students every year and almost 100 seats are reserved for in-state Ohio residents. The university offers DVM, graduate and residency programs.
Why Ohio State?
Researchers at the Ohio State University developed the first feline leukemia vaccine.
Its medical training center accepts almost 30,000 animal patients each year to give its students countless opportunities to learn and understand various animal species.
Texas A&M University
Located in College Station Texas, A&M university is one of the oldest veterinary science institutions in the United States. Study time for aspiring veterinarians includes three years of course work and one year of clinical work which gives students a clear idea about the duties and responsibilities of a qualified vet. Most of the students spend their time in the veterinary medical teaching hospital, which handles cases of large, small and exotic animals alike.
Why Texas A&M?
It is the flagship university of the Texas A&M University system. Its college of veterinary medicine was established in 1915 and since then has achieved remarkable feats in the field.
Texas A&M is the first university in the world to clone animals from six different species – a cat, deer, horse, cattle, pigs, and boer goat.
The university is one of the few institutions that offers a joint program in which students can earn a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in addition to a DVM.
University of Georgia
Founded in 1785, the University of Georgia (UGA) is one of three schools to hold the title of the oldest public university of the United States. The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine opened in 1946 and since then has risen to national and international prominence. Students are introduced to high-tech machinery and latest research which ensures an in-depth understanding of the safety of animals and their surroundings.
Why Georgia University?
The UGA College of Veterinary Medicine is one of the few institutions to offer the VMSTP (Veterinary Medical Scientist Training Program) in which students can earn DVM and Ph. D. degrees, simultaneously. It also offers a DVM-MPH dual-degree program in which students earn the DVM with Master of Public Health.
It is one of the few schools to offer a doctoral degree in parasitology, physiology, pathology and pharmacology.
The University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania has always been a favorite pick among veterinary students. The Penn School of Veterinary Medicine or PennVet offers degree programs in anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology and physiology. PennVet has two campuses: one in Philadelphia and the second in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
The Philadelphia campus houses first, second and third year veterinary students, and the Matthew J. Ryan veterinary hospital which treats more than 30,000 small animals every year. Kennett Square houses a large research facility, George D. Widener hospital, which specializes in the treatment of more than 25,000 large animals annually. The University of Pennsylvania has always focused on the fundamentals of cellular life as it plays a major role in any case that they handle.
Why Penn?
The Penn School of Veterinary Medicine was established in the year 1884 and since then it has been a front runner in providing quality health-care to animals.
The university offers an extensive variety of research programs in which students work with established veterinarians and have a personal experience on tough cases.
Agriculture is a dominant occupation in Pennsylvania and in addition to animal care, it works closely with farmers and agriculturists to improve over all animal health.
Here are some more distinguished vet schools of the United States. Many of these names are at least a century old but they are equipped with some modern and amazing medical science equipment which makes research more flexible.
North Carolina State University- Raleigh, North Carolina
University of Wisconsin- Madison, Wisconsin
Michigan State University- East Lansing, Michigan
University of Minnesota- St. Paul Minnesota
University of Florida- Gainesville, Florida
Tufts University- Medford/Somerville, Massachusetts
Auburn University- Auburn, Alabama
Purdue University- West Lafayette, Indiana
University of Tennessee- Knoxville, Tennessee
Kansas State University- Manhattan, Kansas
University of Illinois- Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
University of Missouri- Columbia, Missouri
Iowa State University- Ames, Iowa
Virginia Tech- Blacksburg, Virginia
Argosy University- Minneapolis, Minnesota
Oklahoma State University- Stillwater, Oklahoma