by Updated on | $ Associate's Degree: $1,300-$30,000 | $ $ Bachelor's Degree: $67,000-$86,000 |
The job of the veterinary technicians is to assist veterinarians in caring for animals, and also to perform job responsibilities such as processing of lab samples, giving anesthesia or helping to manage the office and educate clients.
Often called vet techs, the veterinary technicians can work at small or large animal hospitals, zoos or research facilities.
The veterinary technician program is considered to be the start for students who wish to pursue the degree Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Click here to learn about becoming a veterinary technician.
Typical Costs
The veterinary-technician training price depends on the length of the program (two or four years) and the residence rates for in-state and out-of-state students at public schools.
The private universities programs usually have higher costs for out-of-state applicants.
The associate’s degree veterinary technology usually comes at the price of $1,300-$12,000 for in-state tuition and fees for residents or $8,000-$30,000 for out-of-state tuition and fees.
The community colleges offer lower tuition rates than the state and private schools.
The two-year veterinary technology degree tuition at Cedar Valley College in Dallas costs $2,400 for residents or $8,280 for non-residents taking 6 semesters of 12 credits each.
At the same time, the two-year program at Yuba College in Marysville, CA, costs $1,240 for California residents or $11,036 for non-residents.
The online veterinary technology degree from Penn Foster College costs $5,780 and can be completed in four semesters.
The veterinary technology bachelor’s or four-year degree typically costs $67,000-$86,000.
A bachelor of science in veterinary technology from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY, for instance, costs $68,360 for tuition and fees for eight semesters.
What Is Included
The veterinary technology degrees colleges should be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The veterinary technician program is completed in 2 to 4 years and requires coursework in anatomy and physiology, biology and chemistry and other courses specific to veterinary care such as animal medical techniques and surgical principles.
The associate’s degree could take longer than two years to finish such as the veterinary technology program at Foothill Community College in Los Altos Hills, CA, for example, which takes an average of three years to complete.
Additional Costs
In order to be a registered veterinary technician, a graduate must pass a state board test for licensure.
Usually, the candidates need to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam, which costs $300 and the testing fees are typical $100-$300.
The veterinary technician requirements by the state are listed by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards.
The licensure for veterinary technicians can range from $177 to $250, and New York requires vet techs to pay a $177 licensure fee.
The veterinary school books and supplies usually cost $1,500-$3,600 per year.
For instance, the books, supplies, and materials for the two-year vet tech program at Stautzenberger College in Brecksville, OH, are estimated at $3,556.
Discounts
Students who meet program qualifications such as a high GPA or a proven financial need can get scholarships.
For instance, Oxbow Animal Health, for instance, which produces various animal care products, offers two $500 scholarships to veterinary technology students with interest in exotic animals.
Shopping For Veterinary-Technician Training
The American Veterinary Medical Association directory has a list with the accredited vet tech programs.