The 5 Best Veterinary Colleges in Texas: Master Animal Welfare (2023 Updated)
My little Pluto has been by my side through thick and thin, and I couldn’t be more grateful. He’s always been a loyal companion, and even though he’s not the brightest bulb in the bunch, he knows how to make me laugh. I think it’s safe to say that I’m pretty attached to my furry friend.
Pets are important members of the family. They provide us with unconditional love and companionship. When they’re sick or hurt, it’s natural to want to do everything we can to help them recover.
Have you ever had a pet as a child? If you have, then you know how heart-wrenching it is to see your furry friend in pain and not be able to do anything about it.
This is why becoming a veterinarian can be such a rewarding career. You help people keep their beloved pets healthy and happy. Plus, with things like pet therapy becoming more and more popular, there’s a growing demand for veterinarians.
And in this article, you are going to learn what are the best veterinary colleges in Texas. You’ll know what makes them the best, and which one suits your needs the most.
Getting Into Veterinary College in Texas
Becoming a veterinarian is no easy feat. Vet schools are extremely competitive, and the application process can be daunting.
You’ll also need a killer application. You are going to compete with thousands of other people who have the same dream as you: becoming a veterinarian. Which means that your application will have to be more than flawless. It’ll have to stand out compared to others. Your grades will need to be top-notch, and you should have plenty of experience working with animals.
Luckily, most applications look the same nowadays — students focus on their GPA, their extra-curricular activities, and their work experience. All are great, don’t get me wrong.
GPA is still the first thing most schools will look at. But everyone can get high grades through study and hard work. Not everyone has the gall to go out and get experience in the field.
But what if you want to go above and beyond? How can you make your application stand out from the rest?
This is your opportunity to make your application stand out. There are a few things you can do:
- Get involved in research projects related to veterinary medicine. This will show that you’re passionate about the field and that you’re willing to put in the extra effort.
- Join clubs or organizations related to veterinary medicine. This will demonstrate your dedication to the field, as well as giving you a chance to network with other like-minded individuals.
- Volunteer at animal shelters or clinics. This is a great way to gain experience and show that you’re compassionate about animals.
- Shadow a veterinarian. This will give you a first-hand look at what the job entails, and it’ll also allow you to ask any questions you may have about the field.
Editor’s note: As you can see, academic success is only part of the equation to get into veterinary college. You must make helping pets your life mission. Or, if not pets, other animals that we depend on — like farm animals.
The above are only a few tips to make your application stand out. If you want to increase your chances of getting into veterinary college, be sure to follow them.
Now that you know what you need to get into a veterinary college, let’s see what are the best ones in Texas.
The 5 Best Veterinary Colleges in Texas
Texas is home to many great veterinary colleges. But which ones are the best?
To answer this question, we took into account various factors, such as:
- The quality of the education provided
- The number of internship and residency programs available
- The employment rate of graduates
The above are the most interesting parameters to make a list like this one. If you enroll into any of the following schools, you’ll become an expert in handling your animals of choice.
1. Texas A&M University College
- Tuition: Local tuition $21,447 , Domestic tuition $32,247
- Location: College Station, TX
Founded in 1876, Texas A&M University College is one of the oldest and most respected veterinary colleges in the state. The vet school branch was opened in 1916, and has since then churned out some of the most successful veterinarians in Texas.
The school offers a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, as well as several internship and residency programs. The DVM program is four years long and includes clinical rotations, classroom instruction, and laboratory work.
Texas A&M offers a wide range of programs, from small animals to food animal production medicine. There are also many internship and residency programs available, which makes it one of the best places to further your education after graduation.
This college has an excellent employment rate, with almost 100% of graduates finding jobs within one year of graduation. This means you are almost guaranteed to find a job after completing your studies here.
The school is also highly respected by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA), which is the largest state veterinary medical association in the country. Your chances of becoming a successful veterinarian are very high if you attend this school.
If you want to become a veterinarian in Texas, Texas A&M University College is one of the best places to do it.
2. Texas Tech University — School of Veterinary Medicine
- Tuition: Local tuition $41,790, Domestic tuition $52,590
- Location: Amarillo, TX
Texas Tech University’s School of Veterinary Medicine was founded in 1923, but the Law and Medicine branches were only opened in 1965 and 1969 respectively. The school offers a DVM program, as well as internships and residencies in various areas of veterinary medicine.
The DVM program is pretty standard and includes classroom instruction, clinical rotations, and laboratory work. Texas Tech also offers a unique program called the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine (PPVM), which is designed for working professionals who want to become veterinarians.
The PPVM program is completed in four years and includes online coursework, as well as periodic on-campus intensives. This program is perfect for busy people who want to become veterinarians, but can’t commit to a full-time program.
Texas Tech University’s School of Veterinary Medicine is one of the best in the state, and offers many opportunities for students to further their education after graduation. The employment rate for graduates is very high, so you can be sure to find a job after completing your studies here.
If you want to become a veterinarian in Texas, Texas Tech University’s School of Veterinary Medicine is one of the best places to do it — as long as you are ok with the costs, as it is quite expensive. The school, much like Texas A&M, is also highly respected by the TVMA. The biggest downside of this school is its cost, as it is one of the most expensive colleges on this list.
3. University of Texas at Austin — College of Veterinary Medicine
- Tuition: Local tuition $21,448, Domestic tuition $32,248
- Location: Austin, TX
The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Veterinary Medicine was founded in 1907 and is one of the oldest veterinary colleges in the state. The school offers a DVM program, as well as internships and residencies in various areas of veterinary medicine.
The University of Texas at Austin offers a unique dual-degree program, which allows students to earn both a DVM and a PhD in five years.
But if you want to take a more traditional path, the University of Texas is also a very capable school. It offers a great DVM program that has nothing to envy of any other program on this list.
The only downside of the University of Texas is that it’s not as well-known as some of the other colleges on this list, which means your chances of getting a job after graduation might be slightly lower. But if you’re willing to take that risk, the University of Texas at Austin is one of the best places to become a veterinarian in Texas.
And, anyway, maybe you’ll have some issues finding a job compared to other schools. But they are going to be very minor issues. Instead of taking a few weeks to find jobs as a veterinarian, you might have to wait a month or two at worst. That’s hardly a deal-breaker when you compare it to the other benefits of this school.
So, if you want to become a veterinarian in Texas and are looking for a great school, the University of Texas at Austin is one of the best places to do it. The only thing you have to keep in mind is that it might take you a little longer to find a job after graduation. But other than that, this is an excellent school.
This program is perfect for students who are interested in research, as it provides them with the opportunity to work with some of the best veterinary researchers in the country. The University of Texas at Austin is also one of the most affordable colleges on this list, which makes it a great choice for students who are on a budget.
So, if you want to become a veterinarian and are interested in research, the University of Texas at Austin is one of the best places to do it.
The only downside is that it might take you a little longer to find a job after graduation, but other than that, this is an excellent school.
4. Lone Star College System — Veterinary Technician Program
- Tuition: In-district tuition $26,330, Out-of-district tuition $29,840
- Location: Greater Houston, TX
Lone Star College System’s Veterinary Technician Program is one of the most affordable ways to become a veterinarian in Texas. The program is offered at several campuses across the state, and students can complete the program in as little as two years.
The convenience of having multiple campuses across the state and the affordability are two big factors. If you’re looking for a vet school that won’t break the bank, Lone Star College System is a great choice.
Lone Star College System is a great choice for students who are on a budget, as it is one of the most affordable colleges on this list. The program is also offered at several campuses across the state, which makes it a convenient option for students who live in different parts of Texas. Especially if you can live at home with your parents during your time in college!
The only downside to attending Lone Star College System is that it might not be as well-known as some of the other colleges on this list. However, the school offers a great education at an affordable price, which makes it a great choice for students who are on a budget. Additionally, the college has multiple campuses across the state, which makes it a convenient option for students who live in different parts of Texas.
So, if you want to become a veterinarian in Texas and are looking for a great school, Lone Star College System is one of the best places to do it. The only thing you have to keep in mind is that it might take you a little longer to find a job after graduation. But other than that, this is an excellent school.
5. Tarleton State University — Veterinary Technology Program
- Tuition: In-state tuition $7,851, Out-of-state tuition $17,621
- Location: Stephenville, TX
Tarleton State University’s Veterinary Technology Program is one of the most affordable ways to become a veterinarian in Texas. The program is offered at the university’s main campus in Stephenville, and students can complete the program in as little as two years.
The affordability of this program is one of its biggest selling points. If you’re looking for a vet school that won’t break the bank, Tarleton State University is a great choice.
In addition to being affordable, Tarleton State University’s Veterinary Technology Program is also one of the most convenient ways to become a veterinarian in Texas. The program is offered at the university’s main campus in Stephenville, which makes it a convenient option for students who live in different parts of Texas.
The only downside to attending Tarleton State University is that it might not be as well-known as some of the other colleges on this list. This will lower your chances of getting a job right after graduation, but since the job outlook is expected to grow by 17% until 2030, it’s safe to assume that this will be a non-issue.
The school offers a great education at an affordable price, which makes it a great choice for students who are on a budget. Additionally, the college is located in Stephenville, which makes it a convenient option for students who live in different parts of Texas.
So there you have it, the best veterinary colleges in Texas. All of these schools are highly respected by the TVMA, and offer great DVM programs that will prepare you for a successful career in veterinary medicine. The employment rate for graduates is also very high, so you can be sure
Picking a Veterinarian Specialty
There are many different specialties that you can choose from if you become a veterinarian.
Some of the most popular ones include:
- Small animal medicine — this is what most people think of when you say ‘veterinarian’. It involves treating pets, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds.
- Equine medicine — this specialty deals with horses and other equids (donkeys, mules, etc.). If you love horses and want to work with them exclusively, this is the specialty for you.
- Food animal medicine — veterinarians in this field work with food-producing animals, such as cattle, pigs, and sheep. They often work on farms and ranches.
- Avian medicine — birds are, surprisingly, not government surveillance drones, but living organisms. As such, they sometimes get sick and need a veterinarian. If you want to work with birds , this is the specialty for you.
- Wildlife medicine — this is a relatively new specialty that deals with the treatment of sick or injured wild animals. We’ve all seen those videos of wild animals found injured and scared around homes. That’s where wildlife veterinarians come into play.
- Reptile and amphibian medicine — this specialty is exactly what it sounds like. If you want to work with reptiles and amphibians, this is the field for you.
- Large animal medicine — someone’s gotta treat the bigger guys at the zoo. Elephants, rhinos, gorillas, giraffes, and hippos all need medical care, and that’s where large animal veterinarians come in.
You can also decide to specialize in an area of pet welfare. So, for example, you could become an ophthalmologist for animals, or a cardiologist.
The options are really endless when it comes to becoming a veterinarian, which is what makes it such a great profession. You can choose to work with the animals you love, in the environment you love, and make a very good living doing it.
Conclusions
So, there you have it. The best veterinary colleges in Texas. If you’re looking for a great education at an affordable price, any of these schools would be a great choice.
And, if you’re looking for a specific specialty, all of these schools offer programs that will prepare you for a successful career in veterinary medicine.
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected growth rate in employment for veterinarians is expected to be 17% between 2020 and 2030. That means that now is the perfect time to start your journey to becoming a veterinarian.
Texas has many great veterinary colleges that offer affordable education and respected programs. If you’re looking to become a veterinarian, any of these colleges would be a great choice.
So what are you waiting for? Start your journey today!
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