Discover the best veterinary schools in New York in 2023. This comprehensive guide showcases top-rated institutions offering quality veterinary education and training. Find the perfect school to kickstart your veterinary career at the best veterinary schools in New York.
Thousands of aspiring veterinarians flock to New York each year, hoping to start their careers, and if you’re one of them, you may wonder which schools will help you get there the fastest.
You’ll have plenty of options; the state is home to more than half a dozen veterinary colleges and schools that allow students to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree in just six years or less.
But deciding which program is best for you can be difficult when you don’t know what to look for, so here are some of the top veterinary schools in New York, ranked by the U.S.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Consider Vet Schools in New York
Consider a career as a veterinarian if you are passionate about science and animals.
Vet schools in New York offer excellent training for arguably one of the most satisfying careers.
You’ll enjoy good earning potential, job security, and flexible schedules, as well as excellent benefits and high levels of social prestige. If you can work with animals, you have found your calling!
But there are many factors to consider when choosing which school to attend. There is no best vet school in New York; it depends on your priorities and goals.
ALSO CHECK: Best Veterinary Schools In Georgia
Are New York Vet Schools Hard To Get Into?
Getting into a vet school can be hard, so you’ll want to take advantage of any opportunity to stand out.
You’ll also need to prepare yourself with some solid science coursework and ace your GRE, DAT, or MCAT.
The good news is that there are several schools in New York for you to choose from.
If you live in Upstate New York and want to attend vet school at Cornell University or SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), then by all means, do it!
They’re both great programs that offer small class sizes and hands-on learning experiences outside your lecture halls.
How Much Do New York Veterinary Colleges Cost?
Each school has a cost of attendance that you can use to determine how much you will be expected to pay each year.
The best veterinary schools in New York all have tuition costs of $33,000 or higher. Some are even more expensive and will cost you over $50,000 annually.
Depending on which city they attend school in, most students will also have additional costs for books, housing, and food.
ALSO CHECK: 10 Best Veterinary Schools In Colorado
How Long Are Veterinary Schools In New York?
The program lasts 4 years. The cost of tuition ranges from $36,000 to $54,000 at most schools (as of 2010), including books and equipment.
In addition to your college costs, you’ll have to pay for housing and living expenses during school.
These can vary depending on where you choose to study but are usually around $20,000 per year for a single person living on campus.
ALSO CHECK: 10 Best Veterinary Schools In California
What are the Best Veterinary Jobs in New York?
It’s important to note that these are just some of the highest-paying veterinary jobs in New York; there are others.
For example, veterinary surgeons are the best veterinary jobs in New York because they assist doctors with anesthesia and surgery.
While starting salaries for all these professions tend to be high (the median salary for a veterinarian is $90,000), it’s important to consider more than just income when considering what kind of career you want.
Veterinarians can choose from many specialties—some specialties pay more than others—so it’s smart to research your options before committing yourself.
ALSO CHECK: Best Veterinary Schools In Texas
What are the Best Veterinary Schools in New York?
Below are the best vet schools in New York City in 2023
- Cornell University College of veterinary medicine
- State University Of New York, College Of Veterinary Medicine At Buffalo
- Virginia-Marshall University College Of Veterinary Medicine
- Auburn University College Of Veterinary Medicine
- New York State College Of Veterinary Medicine
#1 Cornell University College of veterinary medicine
The renowned veterinary school at Cornell University offers a wide range of veterinary degrees, including undergraduate and graduate programs. The college accepts 75% of applicants.
Graduate students at Cornell benefit from state-of-the-art research labs, an on-campus teaching hospital with more than 100 well-staffed beds, and hands-on experience working directly with veterinarians.
Classes are taught by a prestigious faculty that includes former members of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and researchers specializing in animal nutrition and zoo medicine.
Undergraduates have access to nearly 150 student organizations. Graduate students can join such groups as VetMedNetworks or AnthroVet, a community for students interested in animal behavior and physical therapy for animals.
#2 State University Of New York College Of Veterinary Medicine At Buffalo
The State University of New York at Buffalo is home to The State University of New York College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, which is one of only eight veterinary colleges in America.
The school’s state-of-the-art facilities give students access to some of the most sophisticated equipment available while allowing them to learn from veterinarians with hands-on experience working on animals.
Every species can benefit from a specialized medical treatment plan from fish to felines.
This allows student doctors at SUCNYCVMBS to have a broader knowledge base than their peers; they know that each patient will require individualized care when receiving treatment for their condition or disease.
#3 Virginia-Marshall University College Of Veterinary Medicine
Virginia-Marshall is known for its top-notch veterinary program. Graduates from Virginia-Marshall become veterinarians, researchers, and more in about two years.
Students enjoy small class sizes and multiple opportunities to get hands-on experience with real animals; most vet school students are required to complete an externship as part of their studies.
Small class sizes also mean that every student has ample opportunity to talk one-on-one with teachers or professors, which can help reduce confusion during student life at such a large university.
This helps ensure that all students have a solid grasp of the material needed to pass their exams, eventually earn licensure, and succeed after graduation.
#4 Auburn University College Of Veterinary Medicine
Founded in 1865, Auburn University is just one hour from Atlanta and two hours from Birmingham and Chattanooga.
The college of veterinary medicine here offers a four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program that offers students a first-rate education while training them to be competent, compassionate veterinarians.
Relatively small class size allows faculty members to interact closely with students and emphasize quality teaching.
Clinical experience ranges across 11 different locations statewide.
Auburn’s alumni include leaders of veterinary medicine at some of the world’s most prestigious universities, including Cornell University and Ohio State University.
#5 New York State College Of Veterinary Medicine
Established in 1894, The State University of New York College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University was one of two veterinary colleges created by the state legislature.
A fifth-year program was established to help to return war veterans use their GI Bill benefits; it operated from 1946 until 1951.
In 1994, enrollment reached a high of 478 first-year students but had declined ever since to 287 entering first-years for Fall 2016.
This is part of a national trend affecting all colleges of veterinary medicine—the supply and demand for veterinarians are out of balance.
35,000 veterinarians were practicing nationwide in 2016; just over 8% were older than 65, and only 5% were approaching retirement age.
What are the Best Pre Vet Schools in New York?
For aspiring veterinarians, there are many steps to becoming a veterinarian. The first of these steps is deciding which veterinary school to attend.
There are seven schools located throughout the state of New York that offer four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees. Still, it’s important to evaluate each school’s curriculum and admission requirements before applying.
This can help students decide which program best fits their interests and career goals while giving them an idea of what they should focus on during college.
The best pre-veterinary school in New York is Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (Ithaca) – Founded in 1894, Cornell University is one of the most prestigious institutions in all of higher education.
Its College of Veterinary Medicine consistently ranks among the U.S.
Cheap Vet Schools in New York State
Currently, there are nine veterinary schools within or near New York State. The one with arguably the most prestige is Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
This private Ivy League school educates all students on Cornell’s main campus in Ithaca, N.Y., and maintains a small-animal clinic on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Five of these nine schools have no tuition fee for residents from participating states (as specified by their programs).
This type of financial assistance is only a good idea if you’re sure you’ll be able to get accepted into a program that provides it, however; if not, even just getting your foot in the door at one of the best veterinary schools in New York could be worthwhile.
How to Become a Veterinarian in NY
To become a veterinarian, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree, complete 4 years of study and clinical work at an accredited school, and pass three exams.
After you pass your third exam, you’ll be able to take on licensed veterinarians and own your practice.
Conclusion
The first veterinary school was founded at Columbia University, where many of today’s New York City vets started.
But that doesn’t mean you have to attend a traditional university for your education: there are also several local trade schools and online courses available for future veterinarians.
If you want to learn more about what it takes to become a vet, contact one of these institutions today!
Veterinary Schools in New York FAQs
How many vet schools are in NY?
There are nine veterinary schools located in New York. If you’re looking to attend vet school, a variety of options are available.
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Each has its strengths and weaknesses, which will be detailed further down. Remember that even if one school isn’t right for you, another may be—attending vet school is no longer necessary to become a veterinarian.
How long does it take to become a veterinarian in New York?
Becoming a veterinarian is quite an undertaking. If you want to become a licensed veterinarian, numerous schools offer veterinary degrees in New York.
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The time it takes to become a veterinarian largely depends on which school you attend and your work ethic; however, most programs last between five and six years.
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You can earn your degree and be prepared for a rewarding career with hard work and dedication.
Is becoming a veterinarian worth it?
Sure, veterinarians make great money—but they also face a lifetime of debt. Veterinarians spend at least seven years (!) earning their degrees and end up $147,000 in student loan debt on average.
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This is why many choose to work outside of animal medicine, where earning more money with less education is easier.
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That said, many fields related to animal care and management do not require an advanced degree. And not everyone wants to be a vet anyway!
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 The best way to determine if becoming a veterinarian is worth it is to weigh your situation carefully.
