Most Affordable Vet Schools

Veterinary colleges can be expensive and inaccessible for some students. According to the VIN Foundation’s 2024 Cost of Education Map, the total cost of a four-year DVM degree can exceed $400,000 depending on the school and residency status.¹

Researching and narrowing down the cheapest veterinary schools in the United States takes time, but this guide highlights the most affordable options to help reduce your search. We review tuition costs, financial aid, and program details, along with the career opportunities available after graduation.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the average debt to income ratio for students nowadays is 1.4 (meaning they have 1.4x as much debt to their 1x income), which is better than 2x but still not as good as a 1.0 ratio.² All in all, choosing an affordable program can make a major difference in long-term financial stability.

What Are the Most Affordable Vet Schools in the US?

The most affordable veterinary schools in the United States include North Carolina State University, Iowa State University, and Purdue University. We will dive deeper into these programs later in the article to detail their cost and program information. As of the 2024–2025 academic year, these universities list in-state tuition starting around $20,000 per year, while out-of-state rates can rise even over $50,000. For example, the University of Georgia’s in-state tuition is about $19,000 per year, while their tuition for out-of-state students is closer to $48,000 annually. 

These programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education, ensuring that their curriculum and resources meet national standards.

How Much Do the Cheapest Veterinary Schools Cost in 2025?

For the 2024–2025 academic year, in-state tuition for the least expensive veterinary schools typically ranges from about $15,000 to $25,000 per year, while out-of-state tuition falls between $30,000 and $50,000 (see additional details on tuition below).

These tuition rates exclude additional vet school costs, including books and supplies, accommodation, required fees, insurance, transportation, personal expenses, loan fees, and cost of living.

Veterinary School Cost of Attendance: Tuition, Fees & Living Expenses

Tuition typically makes up a significant portion of the total cost of attendance (COA). At Ohio State University, for example, in‑state DVM tuition and fees range around $39,258 per year, while out‑of‑state COA can reach up to $85,266 in the first year.

Books, Supplies & Equipment
Estimate $1,000–$4,000 per year. For example, Ohio State University averages about $4,500 for books and supplies the first year and then closer to $1,000 every year after that. 

Housing, Transportation & Living Expenses
These costs typically add $15,000–$25,000 annually. At OSU, living costs are about $20,000 per year. This estimate includes housing, food, transportation, personal expenses, and loan fees.

Why Attend Veterinary School in 2025? Demand, Income Potential, and Impact

Veterinary medicine remains a highly relevant and resilient career choice that is fueled by strong demand, meaningful impact, and a stable financial outlooks:

• Rising pet ownership continues to drive demand.³ In addition to the increasing pet population, more owners are viewing their pets as a true member of their family (especially dog and cat owners).³  
• Pet industry spending is booming. Americans spent a whopping $152 billion on pets in 2024 and are projected to spend even more, at $157 billion on these family members in 2025. This robust spending supports sustained demand for veterinary services.
  
• Employment growth far outpaces average. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), veterinarian jobs are expected to grow 19% in the next decade, which is much faster than the national average.⁴
• The profession’s broader impact is invaluable. Veterinarians play a critical role beyond just companion animal care. They are key contributors to public health, disease control, and scientific research, such as developing anesthetics, tackling infectious diseases, and improving food safety systems.

Best Vet School Career Options

Whether you’re drawn to clinical practice or research, veterinary graduates have access to diverse, in-demand career paths with strong earning potential:

• Clinical specialties including veterinary dentistry, ophthalmology, and emergency medicine, remain high-paying, skill-intensive fields within the veterinary profession.
• Research & public health roles in epidemiology, food safety, and pharmaceutical development contribute meaningfully to animal welfare and human health.
• Academia & teaching is a great option for many veterinarians to transition into university faculty roles, allowing them to share expertise and help shape future generations.
• Industry & management careers in biotech firms, pharmaceutical companies, or large-scale animal-health enterprises offer leadership and strategic opportunities.

Vet Salary

Compensation for veterinarians in the U.S. varies based on role, geographic location, and experience, but available data confirms strong earning potential across the field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for veterinarians was $125,510 in May 2024.⁴

Can You Attend Vet School for Free? (2025 Update)

Yes, but truly free veterinary school is extremely rare. Most students must secure financial aid, scholarships, or service-based tuition remission to substantially reduce, or in some cases even eliminate, out-of-pocket costs.

Most affordable veterinary schools:

• North Carolina State University: ~$100,991 (residents); $226,943 (non-residents)
• Iowa State University: ~$193,728 (residents); $318,962 (non-residents)
• Purdue University: ~$95,533 (residents); $199,456 (non-residents)
• Kansas State University: ~$112,464 (residents); $241,896 (non-residents)
• Texas Tech University: ~$88,000 (residents); $131,200 (non-residents)
• The Ohio State University: ~$175,858 (resident); $221,901 (non-residents)
• University of Georgia: ~$85,563 (residents); $204,211 (non-residents)
• Washington State University: ~$62,548 (residents); ~$136,104 (non-residents)
• Cornell University: ~$178,664 (residents); $266,416 (non-residents)
• Tufts University: ~$291,136 (residents & non-residents)

Cheapest Vet Schools (2025): Program-by-Program Costs and Highlights

Below are some of the most affordable veterinary schools to consider, in no particular order.

1) North Carolina State University (NC State) — College of Veterinary Medicine

Why it’s on the “cheapest” list: NC State historically has low resident tuition to help North Carolina residents earn their veterinary degree.

• Program notes: NC State touts a small student‑to‑faculty ratio and strong teaching hospital footprint. The program takes four years to complete including one summer between your third and fourth year. 
• What to know about costs: NC State posts annual COA estimates (tuition + living) and updates them each cycle; use their COA page for the latest resident vs non‑resident totals. As of 2025, the cost of attendance is $25,244 for residents and $56,732 for non-residents.

2) Iowa State University — College of Veterinary Medicine

Why it’s on the “cheapest” list: ISU publicly publishes 4‑year totals that undercut many peers for their state residents. Class of 2025 estimated 4‑year cost of education is $193,728 for residents and $318,962 for non-residents. 

• Scholarships/aid: ISU awarded over $2 million in scholarships in 2024.
• Affordability context: ISU highlights that its students exit school with lower student debt as compared to the national average (at $173,357 compared to $190,249).

3) Purdue University — College of Veterinary Medicine

Why it’s on the “cheapest” list: Purdue University has competitive in‑state pricing and strong outcomes for vets. Purdue’s bursar office maintains the official tuition/fee tables used for COA.

• Program notes: Purdue has a robust clinical caseload through Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, they offer combined DVM‑MS/PhD options, and they have great internship and residency pipelines. 
• Where to verify cost: Purdue directs DVM applicants to the bursar’s 2024–2025 fee rates for current figures.

4) Kansas State University — College of Veterinary Medicine

Why it’s on the “cheapest” list: K‑State emphasizes value and in addition to their DVM program has multiple dual degree pathways available for students. 

• Program notes: Four‑year DVM with 3 pre‑clinical years + 1 clinical year in the Veterinary Health Center. 
• Where to verify cost: K‑State’s financial prep hub verifies total yearly cost for both Kansas residents and non-resident students.

5) Texas Tech University — School of Veterinary Medicine

Why it’s on the “cheapest” list: A newer public DVM program that was structured to serve regional workforce needs with transparent fee schedules. TTU’s 2024–2026 SVM Schedule lists resident tuition $5,400/yr and non‑resident/foreign student tuition as $16,200/yr (exclusive of mandatory fees), with additional “Other Educational Costs” published separately. 

• Where to verify cost: TTU’s central Cost to Attend page has current COA and fee schedules, as well as financial aid and scholarship information.

6) The Ohio State University — College of Veterinary Medicine

Why it’s on the “cheapest” list: OSU has a transparent COA platform with a great research footprint and large teaching hospital. 

Current, line‑item COA (2025–2026):

• Ohio resident totals range $60,574–$89,395 by year (VME1 to VME4; 4th year is 12 months).
• Non‑resident totals range $110,878 (VME1) then ~$61,212–$90,195 thereafter (non‑resident surcharge drops to $5/term in VME2–4). 

Where to verify cost:OSU’s COA page details tuition/fees, living, exam costs, and notes about non‑resident surcharge policy.

7) University of Georgia — College of Veterinary Medicine

Why it’s on the “cheapest” list: UGA calls out its position among the least expensive U.S. vet schools and publishes year‑by‑year COA.

• Resident totals: About $19,000 to $28,000 per year
• Non‑resident totals: About $48,000 to $58,000 per year
• Scholarships/aid: UGA keeps an updated list of their federal aid links and state loan‑repayment options for veterinarian students.

8) Washington State University — College of Veterinary Medicine

Why it’s on the “cheapest” list: WSU positions itself as one of the top‑10 most affordable veterinary colleges in the country, with tuition rates below the national average. 

• Program notes: WIMU Regional Program (Washington‑Idaho‑Montana‑Utah) expands training sites and access, allowing students to complete their clinical training at WSU’s partner hospitals. 
• Where to verify cost:WSU’s DVM COA page has updated information on program cost.

9) Cornell University — College of Veterinary Medicine

Why it’s on the “cheapest” list (context): Private programs aren’t “cheap,” but Cornell publishes detailed budgets and has added targeted debt‑reduction initiatives so you can precisely model costs.

• Program notes: Cornell has flagship teaching hospitals, structured curriculum with both foundation and electives courses, and extensive aid information and budgeting tools. 
• Where to verify cost: Cornell’s tuition is posted in the Bursar’s office online page. The university keeps costs updated every academic year so you have the most up-to-date information.

10) Tufts University — Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

Why it’s on the “cheapest” list (context): Another private benchmark school so it’s not “cheap” per se, but it does have transparent, comprehensive COA documents to help applicants plan (and compare) tuition precisely.

• Program notes: Tufts has signature tracks in their vet program (shelter medicine, international, wildlife), as well as dual degree options such as DVM/MPH and DVM/MLAM degrees. 
• Where to verify cost: All tuition-related expenses and financial aid opportunities are posted on Tufts’s veterinary financial aid website.

Paying for Veterinary School With Financial Aid

Short answer: Most DVM students cover the cost of their degree with a mix of federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans (up to $20,500/year), Graduate PLUS loans for remaining need, scholarships, grants, work-study, and employer assistance.

Key Ways to Pay

• Federal loans (primary for DVM): Direct Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS loans.
• Scholarships & institutional aid: AAVMC/AVMF and school-specific awards.
• Work-Study (if offered & you have need): Part-time campus or community roles that help offset expenses.
• Employer educational assistance: Some employers will help pay for their employees tuition for higher education.
• Private loans (gap-filler): Credit-based loans that typically have fewer protections as compared with federal loans. The interest rates for these loans are also typically higher so make sure you compare private loans before committing to one.

Federal Grants (What to Expect as a DVM Student)

Most federal grants are for undergraduates; professional students typically do not receive them. If you’re entering a DVM, look to institutional grants/scholarships or state-level programs instead.

Federal Loans (Core Financing for DVM Programs)

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Graduate/professional students can borrow up to $20,500 per year; standard aggregate limit is $138,500 (includes certain prior undergraduate borrowing).
• Graduate PLUS Loans: Credit-checked loans that can cover up to the school-certified cost of attendance minus other aid.
• Health-professions exceptions: Some schools list a higher aggregate limit (up to $224,000) for specific health professions under current rules; confirm with your program’s aid office.

Tip: Always build your plan around your school’s official Cost of Attendance (COA) and use AAVMC’s Cost Comparison Tool to project four-year borrowing before you accept aid.

Private Loans

Private student loans may help fill gaps but usually come with variable rates, stricter credit criteria, and fewer borrower protections than federal loans. We recommend that you check our multiple lenders and compare APRs, fees, and hardship options, but only after you exhaust federal options first.

Work-Study

Work-Study can provide part-time income to help with living and academic costs, but it’s need-based, school-dependent, and not guaranteed. The availability and hours of work study will vary by campus.

Scholarships

Target school-specific awards and national programs to check out their scholarship opportunities. Some high-value scholarships for veterinary students can significantly reduce the cost of your education, so make sure you check the annual cycles and eligibility requirements to ensure you don’t miss out on a great opportunity.

Employer Educational Assistance

Employers may offer educational assistance for their employees that can be used for tuition. You can confirm this with your HR department, supervisor, or administrator.

How to Apply for Federal Aid to Finance Your Vet School Program (2025)

The good news is that as a DVM applicant, you’re considered a graduate or professional student, which generally means you’re independent for FAFSA purposes and won’t report your parent’s information. You’ll still complete the FAFSA each year to unlock federal loans and any school-based aid that requires it.

The Fast, Literal Checklist (for DVM students)

1. Create your StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID).
   You’ll use this to access, sign, and submit the FAFSA online. If anyone else must provide information (a “contributor,” such as a spouse), they need their own FSA ID too.
2. Know your “contributors” and get their consent.
   The simplified FAFSA uses contributors (you and, if applicable, your spouse). Every contributor must consent to the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) so tax data can transfer into the FAFSA. Without this consent, eligibility can’t be determined.
3. Gather what you need (minimal paperwork).
   Because the FAFSA uses tax information, you typically don’t need to hand-enter your tax forms, but it is helpful to have key information handy (such as your SSN/ITIN, Alien Registration Number if applicable, basic income details, etc.) in case the form asks clarifying questions.
4. Start the FAFSA and confirm your status.
   Select the correct aid year, confirm you’re a graduate/professional student, and then follow the prompts. The form calculates your Student Aid Index (SAI) which is used with your cost of attendance (COA) and to determine the need for your potential financial aid package.
5. List your vet schools.
   You can add up to 20 schools online (paper FAFSA allows up to 10). Add at least one DVM program so it receives your data and you can continue to update your list later on if you need to.
6. Review, sign, and submit.
   You and all required contributors will need to e-sign and submit your application. Watch for your FAFSA Submission Summary and respond quickly if your school requests verification documents.
7. Mind the deadlines (federal, state, and school).
   For 2025–26 aid, the federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2026, but many states and schools set earlier priority dates, so make sure that you apply as early as you possibly can.

Best Vet Scholarships (2025)

Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Veterinary Student Scholarship | Amount: $7,000
More than 200 scholarships for 2nd–3rd-year students at AAVMC member schools in the U.S. and Caribbean; paid to the institution. 2025 window announced by AAVMC.

Merck Animal Health Scholarship (via AVMF) | Amount: $10,000
For 2nd–3rd-year veterinary students at AVMA-accredited schools in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. 2025 cycle dates run from Nov 1–30, 2025 (awarded early 2026).

VIN Foundation “Mike Dunn, DVM” Veterinary Student Scholarship | Amount: Up to $35,000/year (max $140,000 over four years)
Awards two incoming U.S. DVM students annually; focused on future companion-animal practitioners. 

Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program (AAVMC) | Amount: $20,000 (one-time)
For 2nd-year students from underserved groups; nomination required from the college. Cohort of 15 students.

EveryCat Health Foundation & FelineVMA Scholarships | Amount: Two awards at $5,000 each
For 3rd–4th-year students with interests in feline medicine or feline clinical research; 2025 amount confirmed at $5,000 per scholarship.

Auxiliary to the AVMA Legacy Endowed Scholarship (via AVMF) | Amount: $1,000
National program supporting DVM students at AVMA-accredited schools; offered through AVMF.

Merck Animal Health Diversity Leadership Scholarship (AAVMC) | Amount: $10,000 (up to 16 awards)
For students nominated by their dean who have advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary medicine.

Cheapest Undergraduate Vet Schools

Several public colleges keep undergraduate veterinary-related programs comparatively affordable, especially community colleges with in-state pricing for their students. Below, we’ve updated tuition figures and degree details from each school’s official pages (or systemwide tuition pages) as of the 2025-2026 school year.

Most Affordable Vet Associate Degree Programs

Madison College (Madison Area Technical College) | AAS in Veterinary Technician | Per-credit tuition for career-focused programs: $149.50 in-state / $224.25 out-of-state (plus per-credit fees). The program leads to an AAS in Veterinary Technician and also prepares graduates for entry-level vet tech roles.

Miami Dade College | AS in Veterinary Technology | 73 credits; lower-division tuition published at $118.22/credit (FL resident) and $403.64/credit (non-resident) (additional fees apply).

Dallas College – Cedar Valley | AAS in Veterinary Technology | $99 per credit hour all-inclusive rate for Dallas County residents (books & required course materials included); $169 per credit hour for out-of-district Texas residents.

Purdue University | AAS in Veterinary Nursing (on-campus) and Distance Learning Veterinary Nursing (online). Purdue has maintained a base undergraduate tuition of $9,992 (IN resident) and $28,794 (non-resident) per year through 2025–26; the online distance learning program lists $270/credit tuition. (University fees apply in addition to tuition.) 

Penn Foster College | AVMA-CVTEA–accredited Vet Tech Associate Degree (online) | Total program cost $8,000–$8,500 across four semesters (self-paced; externships required).

Most Affordable Vet Bachelor’s Degree Programs

North Carolina State University | BS in Animal Science (Veterinary Bioscience, Science, Industry concentrations). For 2025, published tuition & fees are $8,799 (NC resident) and $32,847 (non-resident) per year (excludes housing/meal plan). The Veterinary Bioscience concentration embeds common DVM prerequisites.

University of Georgia (UGA) | B.S.A. in Animal & Dairy Science (Animal Biosciences / Animal Health pre-vet pathways). 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees: $11,450 (GA resident) and $31,688 (non-resident) per year; see UGA’s cost-of-attendance charts for full budgets.

Washington State University (Pullman) | BS in Biochemistry (molecular biology/biophysics options). 2024–25 estimated cost of attendance lists tuition/fees within a total of ~$35,368 (resident) and ~$51,910 (non-resident) including standard living costs; see WSU for current breakdowns.

Purdue University | BS in Veterinary Nursing (BSVN) (on-campus + completion options). Base undergraduate tuition remains $9,992 (IN resident) and $28,794 (non-resident) per year through 2025–26; distance-learning VN coursework priced at $270/credit.

Texas A&M University–Commerce | BS in Veterinary Biomedical Technology (online or on-campus). TAMUC publishes tuition & fee calculators and COA tools; verify current rates for your residency and load before enrolling.

Cheapest Graduate Schools for Vets

Below are 2025–2026 graduate programs related to veterinary medicine with transparent, current tuition info (wherever schools publish it) and noted funding pathways such as assistantships and tuition waivers.

Most Affordable Schools for Master’s Degrees in Vet

Iowa State University | MS in Veterinary Clinical Sciences — 30 credits; thesis and non-thesis options. VCS focuses on research MS tracks and residency training toward board certification. ISU assesses graduate tuition on a per-semester basis for 9+ credits; rates are set annually by the Iowa Board of Regents (see 2025–26 schedule).

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Master of Veterinary Science (MVS) — 32 credits; offered online. 2025–26 online Graduate Professional Rate is $775 per credit (plus a $3/credit Library/IT assessment).

Kansas State University | MS in (Veterinary) Biomedical Sciences — research-focused MS housed in the College of Veterinary Medicine; multiple emphasis areas. 2025–26 Manhattan campus graduate tuition is $479.16/credit (KS resident) and $1,071.49/credit (nonresident); a CVM college fee of $16/credit also applies to CVM-originated courses. K-State also advertises a one-year master’s path for pre-professional preparation.

Cornell University | MPS in Veterinary Parasitology — 36 credits over three terms (fall/spring/summer) with clinical, research, or conservation concentrations. 2025–26 tuition is $1,944 per credit (plus a $110 graduate activity fee; health insurance separate/waivable).

Tufts (Cummings School) | MS in Animals and Public Policy (MAPP) — 12–16 months examining human-animal relationships and policy. 2025–26 tuition: $53,450 total program year.

Most Affordable PhDs in Veterinary Universities

Texas Tech University | PhD in One Health Sciences — tuition is assessed per semester credit hour under the 2024–26 TTU schedule; nonresident tuition for qualifying graduate assistants is waived per TTU policy. Costs vary by enrollment and appointment; use TTU’s tuition estimator for precise scenarios.

The Ohio State University | PhD (Comparative Biomedical Sciences via College of Veterinary Medicine) — program details and funding pathways are published by OSU CVM and the Graduate School. Tuition/fees vary by campus and appointment; many CVM doctoral students are supported by assistantships that include stipend and tuition support. Refer to OSU’s “Current Tuition Rates” and CVM assistantship pages for the latest figures.

Tufts (Cummings School) | PhD in Biomedical Sciences — 2025–26 tuition is $15,000 (pre-qualifying exam) and $2,500 (post-qualifying); see Cummings Tuition & Fees and the PhD handbook for details.

How to Choose a Good and Affordable Veterinary School (2025)

Focus first on the program accreditation, total cost of attendance (COA), clinical training quality, and the licensure outcomes. These factors will most directly affect the affordability and career readiness of your prospective veterinary program.

For a DVM, confirm the program is AVMA Council on Education (COE)–accredited. The U.S. Department of Education is the approved accreditor for veterinary colleges. Once you verify your program is accredited, we recommend that you then review the university’s institutional accreditation status.

Tips for Saving Money While Attending Veterinary School (2025)

• Plan with real numbers. Build a four-year budget using the AAVMC Cost Comparison Tool paired with your school’s official Cost of Attendance (COA), which includes tuition, fees, housing, food, books/supplies, transport, and insurance.
• Apply for scholarships every term. Start with the AAVMC and AVMF portals (many awards renew annually or have rolling cycles), then check your college’s internal list.
• Leverage employer educational assistance. If you’re working part-time or between terms, ask HR about your tuition benefits, since employers can provide tax-free for tuition or student-loan payments.
• Audit “optional” costs. Many schools allow a health-insurance waiver if you have comparable coverage, so check your college’s COA/insurance notes and waive this when eligible.
• Cut materials spending. Before buying course materials, make sure you check your library/course reserves, older editions, rentals, or shared purchases; align with your COA’s “books & supplies” line so you don’t over-borrow.
• Borrow strategically. Accept only what you need each term; revisit your budget before disbursement to reduce Grad PLUS borrowing (if applicable).

Cheapest Online Schools for Veterinarians (2025)

There are no fully online Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs accredited by the AVMA Council on Education because clinical training is fully hands-on. However, several vet-adjacent online options are affordable, including AVMA-CVTEA–accredited veterinary technology/nursing associate degrees and veterinary-related online master’s programs.

• San Juan College — AAS in Veterinary Technology (online, AVMA-CVTEA–accredited): $61/credit (NM resident); $195/credit (non-resident), plus fixed fees.
• Purdue University — Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning (AAS): $270/credit (flat for all students).
• University of Florida — MS in Veterinary Medical Sciences (Shelter Medicine, 100% online): $525/credit + fees (off-book program; rate same in-/out-of-state).
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Master of Veterinary Science (online): $775/credit + $3/credit online fee (Graduate Professional online rate, 2025–26).
• University of Missouri — MS in Biomedical Sciences, Veterinary Sciences (online): $551.30/credit (2025–26 estimate; online tuition regardless of residency).

Most Affordable Online Vet Bachelor’s Programs (2025)

There is no fully online DVM degree, so the options below are pre-vet or vet tech/tech-to-bachelor pathways that you can complete primarily online.

Tarleton State University — BAS in Veterinary Technology (online, degree-completion)

• What it is: A bachelor’s completion pathway with Companion Animals and Veterinary Practice concentrations; built for graduates of an AAS in Veterinary Technology (credit transfer required; see advising guides).
• Credits: 120 total (major completion varies by transfer credit; confirm plan with an advisor).
• Cost: Tarleton publishes a tuition estimator rather than a single flat online rate; pricing varies by residency, load, and approved differentials. Use the estimator to model your scenario.

Arizona State University (ASU Online) — BS in Applied Biological Sciences, Pre-Veterinary Medicine

• What it is: A fully online pre-vet bachelor’s designed to meet common DVM prerequisites (120 credit hours).
• Cost: ASU states online tuition depends on program and load; use the tuition estimator (ASU notes no separate out-of-state tuition for online).

Appalachian State University — BS in Veterinary Technology (online)

• What it is: An online vet-tech bachelor’s developed with Banfield; designed to prepare students for state credentialing where applicable (check your state rules).
• Cost (2024–25 published App State Online rates): NC resident ~$204.29/credit; non-resident ~$939.00/credit plus book-rental fee; see current schedule for updates.

Most Affordable Online Vet Master’s Programs (2025)

Again, there are no fully online DVM degrees. These are veterinary-related online master’s degrees that can advance your skills or complement a future DVM path.

Program snapshots (tuition is program-published but you should always verify before enrolling)

• University of Florida — MS in Veterinary Medical Sciences (Shelter Medicine, online)
  • Credits: 34 (fully online)
  • Tuition: $525/credit for all students (off-book program; additional fees apply).
  • Tuition-only estimate: ~$17,850 (34 × $525) before fees
    
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Master of Veterinary Science (online)
  • Credits: 32
  • Tuition: $775/credit (Online Graduate Professional Rate) + $3/credit online fee. 
  • Tuition-only estimate: ~$24,896 (32 × $775 + $96) before other fees/COA.
    
• University of Missouri (Mizzou Online) — MS in Biomedical Sciences, Veterinary Sciences (online)
  • Credits: 30
  • Tuition: $551.30/credit (same online rate regardless of residency). 
  • Estimated program cost:$16,539 (university estimate; excludes course-specific/IT fees, books).

Will Attending an Online Veterinary Program Save Me Money? (2025)

Short answer: Sometimes. Online veterinary pathways (e.g., vet-tech AAS, veterinary-related master’s) can lower your indirect costs like housing and commuting, but tuition isn’t always cheaper than on-campus, and some programs charge one flat rate for all students or assess specific online fees.

Where you can save

• Room & commute: Learning from home can remove major cost drivers (housing, transportation).
• Residency surprises that help: Some online graduate programs charge in-state rates to everyone.
• Flat online pricing: Some schools offer flat online pricing for students regardless of where you live, which can help immensely to keep costs lower.

Where savings are not guaranteed

• Tuition parity: Several online veterinary programs publish single per-credit rates regardless of residency.
• Distance-ed fees & “off-book” rules: Some online health-science programs add tech/capital fees or operate as self-funded/off-book programs with different aid rules.
• Required in-person components: Even “online” vet-tech pathways typically require mentorship labs/externships with separate lab fees and potential travel/lodging.

Bottom line for cost

Build an apples-to-apples Cost of Attendance (COA) for each option (tuition + required fees + housing/food + books/supplies + transport + insurance), then compare with the AAVMC Cost Comparison Tool and each school’s COA page.

Benefits of Online Veterinary Programs

• Convenience & flexibility: Online schedules can make it easier to keep working while you study, which helps cash-flow your degree.
• Location independence with possible tuition wins: Some universities extend in-state or single-rate tuition to online learners.
• Focused pathways: Flat per-credit models will simplify planning compared with variable, residency-based pricing.

Important constraints: There is no fully online DVM under current AVMA-COE policy; distance education can enhance didactics, but clinical training cannot be delivered via distance. Budget for any on-site labs/practica tied to your program.

Highest-Paying Vet Careers (2025)

Role (U.S.)	Typical credential	Best current pay reference
Veterinarian (general practice)	DVM (state license)	Median $125,510
Biochemist / Biophysicist (animal health R&D)	PhD common (some roles M.S.)	Median $103,650
Medical Scientist (biomedical/veterinary research)	PhD or DVM/PhD	Median $100,590

Top-compensation veterinary paths often include board-certified specialties (e.g., ophthalmology, dentistry, surgery) and industry/biomedical research roles. For baseline comparison, the median U.S. veterinarian pay is $125,510, while related research roles such as biochemists/biophysicists and medical scientists post medians around $103,650 and $100,590, respectively.

Short “Best Vet Jobs Explained”

• Veterinarian (General Practice): DVM + state license; broad medical/surgical care for companion animals; median $125,510 with strong demand (19% growth 2023–2033). 
• Biochemist/Biophysicist (Animal Health R&D): Typically PhD; drug/device R&D, toxicology, biomaterials; median $103,650.
• Medical Scientist (Comparative/Biomedical): PhD or DVM/PhD; preclinical research, comparative medicine; median $100,590.

Vet Schools Rankings Methodology: How We Ranked the Most Affordable Vet Schools

We ranked AVMA Council on Education (COE)–accredited DVM programs in the United States. We excluded non-DVM pathways (vet tech/nursing, certificates, master’s/PhD) from the affordability ranking, though we discuss them in separate sections.

Definition of “affordability.” Our primary metric is the published Cost of Attendance (COA) for each school, which consists of tuition, mandatory fees, books/supplies, housing/food, transportation, insurance, and other required expenses for a typical academic year, rolled up to a four-year estimate using each school’s own calendar (e.g., three 9-month preclinical years + a 12-month clinical year when applicable).

What are the most expensive vet schools?

Short answer: Private programs publish some of the highest annual tuition figures in the U.S.; elite private schools like Tufts and Cornell also show high total cost of attendance (COA).

• Tufts (Cummings) 2025–26 DVM COA: School-published budgets put annual totals above $100k in clinical years (COA includes living costs and required expenses).
• Cornell University DVM COA: Cornell publishes their annual totals for DVM students including financial aid opportunities.

How can I avoid high tuition rates and additional expenses in vet school?

Shop with COA, not tuition. Compare full Cost of Attendance on each school’s official page and validate against the AAVMC tool.

Why are vet schools expensive?

Veterinary education requires teaching hospitals/clinics, labs, and highly specialized faculty, and programs must meet rigorous AVMA-COE accreditation standards, which are all factors that drive costs.

Will attending a cheaper AVMA-accredited vet school affect my professional performance?

No, it won’t.All AVMA-COE–accredited DVM programs must meet the same quality standards, so as long as your program is accredited, your professional performance won’t be affected. Your career outcomes are more influenced by fit, clinical caseload, mentorship, and your effort than by a school’s sticker price.

Cheapest Vet Schools FAQ (2025)

Sources:

1. https://vinfoundation.org/resources/vet-school-bound/
2. https://www.avma.org/blog/chart-month-new-insights-student-debt 
3. https://todaysveterinarybusiness.com/veterinary-economic-pet-forecast-030425/ 
4. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinarians.htm