Best Colleges in California for Veterinary 2018-2019

Do you want to become a Veterinarian, where you can transform your passion into a career? If yes, then we have designed a list of the Best Colleges in California for Veterinary to help you launch a successful career in this renowned field.

In the Veterinary program, you will gain hands-on skills to assist with veterinary animal care tasks and pet owner education. As an animal lover, you will understand the caring and compassionate nature it takes to work with sick or injured pets.

The top-ranked veterinary medicine schools in California have highly competitive programs. Check out our full list to find California’s best veterinary schools and choose the best one for your education. Good Luck!!

Table of Contents

University of California-Davis

Established in 1948, the school is the primary health resource for California’s various animal populations. The School of Veterinary Medicine serves the people of California by providing educational, research, clinical service, and public service programs of the highest quality to advance the health and care of animals. The School focuses on students of the professional Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, the Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine program, graduate clinical residency programs and graduate academic MS and Ph.D. programs. The School of Veterinary Medicine provides educational, research, clinical service, and public service programs to advance the health and care of animals, the health of the environment, and public health.

Founded In: 1948
Ranking: 1stTuition & Fees Approximately: $59,059
Finance and Admission Office Contact: +1 530-752-1360
Website: https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/

University of California-San Diego

The UC San Diego Research Training Program for Veterinarians, led by Dr. Peter Ernst, offers advanced research training to DVM/VMD graduates enrolled full-time in a formal degree-granting program (Ph.D.) as well as postdoctoral training. Eligible candidates will be veterinary graduates who will pursue a didactic curriculum that has been tailored to reflect the 4 to 7 years of training they have already completed. Its mission is to train veterinarians in biomedical research, in laboratory animal medicine residencies, and to mentor pre-veterinary students.

Founded In: 1960
Ranking: 2nd
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $11,502
Finance and Admission Office Contact: +1 858-875-7505
Website: http://vetsciences.ucsd.edu/education/

Western University of Health Sciences

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences was established in 1998 as the first new college of veterinary medicine in the United States in more than twenty years. The College sustains a vibrant, diverse faculty by encouraging advancement through the personal and professional development and research, creating an academic community of competent, caring, ethical professionals, where cooperative learning, public service, and scholarship can flourish. It is innovative instructional programs, cost-effective delivery of education, and cooperation with other educational institutions and the private sector.

Founded In: 1998
Ranking: 3rdTuition & Fees Approximately: $54,180.00
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (909) 706-3762
Website: https://www.westernu.edu/veterinary/

San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia

SJVC is committed to our students’ and graduates’ personal and professional success. Its curriculum is designed to equip you with the skills that matter most to today’s employers. The college offers certificates, Associate of Science degrees and continuing education opportunities in the areas of Health, Business and Technology. Ask one of our 60,000+ graduates about their SJVC experience and they’ll likely describe it as life-changing. SJVC also offers career training courses in business, medical and technical subjects.

Founded In: 1977
Ranking: 4thTuition & Fees Approximately: $16,606
Finance and Admission Office Contact: +1 866-544-7898
Website: https://www.sjvc.edu/

Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista

The Veterinary Technician program at Pima Medical Institute includes courses that offer in-depth study in nursing skills, laboratory procedures, equine medicine and nursing, and livestock animals, as well as lab animal and exotic animal medicine. As a veterinary technician, you will typically work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian doing clinical work. This includes tasks such as performing various medical tests and treating animals with medical conditions and diseases. As a veterinary technician, you will typically work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian doing clinical work.

Founded In: 1972
Ranking: 5thTuition & Fees Approximately: 10,830 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 800-477-7462
Website: https://pmi.edu/programs/associate/veterinary-technician

Foothill College

The Veterinary Technology Program (VT) is one of seven allied health career programs at Foothill College in the Biological and Health Sciences Division. The program is unique in that it is one of only seven such programs in the State of California, and the only accredited A.V.M.A. program serving the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The Foothill College Veterinary Technology Program is a two-year Associates Degree program which is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (A.V.M.A–C.V.T.E.A.). The program is an animal facility licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (U.S.D.A.–A.P.H.I.S.).

Founded In: 1957
Ranking: 6thTuition & Fees Approximately: $20,364
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (650) 949-7777
Website: https://foothill.edu/vettech/

Platt College-Los Angeles

The Veterinary Technology Program at the Platt School of Medical Sciences is specifically designed to provide in-depth study and training necessary to gain entry-level employment in animal health care. Vet Techs typically work closely with Veterinarians in animal clinical health-care settings such as small or large animal hospitals or clinics and nursing. As Vet Techs advance in their careers, many moves to management and supervisory positions in animal health-care facilities and service companies. Upon completion of Platt’s Vet Tech program, graduates of the program are awarded a Veterinary Technician Associates of Science degree. Platt College’s Veterinary Technology Associate Degree Distance Education program is currently considered an extension of our on-campus program which has initial AVMA accreditation.

Founded In: 1879
Ranking: 7thTuition & Fees Approximately: $13,794
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (951) 572-4300
Website: https://plattcollege.edu/areas-of-study/school-of-medical-sciences/veterinary-technology/

Santa Rosa Junior College

SRJC’s courses were specifically designed to meet state requirements for those who wish to become Registered Veterinary Technicians in California. The RVT track courses offered at Santa Rosa Junior College are appropriate and useful for all individuals working or interested in working as veterinary office receptionists or as veterinary technician assistants, regardless of whether or not they plan to take the California RVT examination. Veterinary Technicians provide VITAL and continuing assistance to an array of animals. SRJC offers high caliber education and career skills experience that is industry driven.

Founded In: 1918
Ranking: 8thTuition & Fees Approximately: $1,280 per year
Finance and Admission Office Contact: In-state 1,318 USD, Out-of-state 6,637 USD
Website: https://ag.santarosa.edu/veterinary-technician

Central Coast College

At Central Coast College, their Veterinary Assistant program gives you hands-on experience working with animals to prepare you for the job you’ve always wanted. Its 38-week curriculum will give you the comprehensive set of skills and knowledge necessary to successfully work alongside veterinarians and veterinary technicians in a variety of animal care settings. The Veterinary Assistant program offers the first-year curriculum for the Associates of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology and upon satisfactory completion will qualify students for the second year Veterinary Technology program.

Founded In: 1983
Ranking: 9thTuition & Fees Approximately: $12,800 per year
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (831) 424-6767
Website: http://www.centralcoastcollege.edu/program/veterinary-assistant/

Mt San Antonio College

The mission of Mt. San Antonio College’s Registered Veterinary Technology Program is to welcome all students and to support them in achieving their personal, educational, and career goals in an environment of academic excellence. The veterinary technician is an important part of the veterinary health care or biomedical team. Veterinary technicians must be educated in the care and handling of all species of animals, the basic principles of normal and abnormal life processes and in laboratory and clinical procedures. All veterinary technicians work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

Founded In: 1946
Ranking: 10thTuition & Fees Approximately: $1,288 per year
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (909)-274-4540
Website: https://www.mtsac.edu/vettech/