10 Best Vet Schools In Pennsylvania in 2023 | How to Get in
If you wish to study veterinary medicine or any related subject in the veterinary field then you may want to check out this list of top vet schools in Pennsylvania.
In case you don’t know, Pennsylvania is home to some of the best vet schools in America. Hence, getting your veterinary degree from one of these schools in Pennsylvania will give you an edge in your career.
Besides the list of schools, you will also learn about what it takes to become a veterinarian in Pennsylvania, USA, and the cost of getting this degree.
In addition, you will learn about the things to consider before going to vet schools in Pennsylvania and the job outlook in this career path.
If you still want to explore more schools in other states, then you may like to read about these 10 best Vet Schools In California and the Top 10 Vet Schools in New York.
What is Veterinary Medicine?
Veterinary medicine is a branch of medicine whose specialists deal with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment of diseases, and injuries in animals.
This is a broad practice that involves all kinds of animals, their species, and the diseases they suffer.
As a broad range of expertise, the doctor in charge often works with other paraprofessionals with specific specialisms such as animal physiotherapy or dentistry.
This course of study teaches you all the things you need to know about animals and how to take care of them when they are sick.
Who is a Veterinarian?
A veterinarian is a doctor of the animal world. They use their skills to evaluate animals, make diagnoses, and treat a wide range of conditions.
As a veterinarian, you can be a veterinary surgeon, veterinary physician, veterinary assistant, or vet technician among others.
However, to become any of the above, you must go through rigorous training in school. That is why your choice of institution for this higher learning is very important.
What Exactly Does a Veterinarian Do?
Depending on your specialty in the veterinarian career structure, your specific involvement and role will differ.
A veterinary surgeon does not handle technical duties as that is majorly for the veterinary technician.
In order not to avoid a clash of duties, every specialist has his or her role under the Veterinarian umbrella.
And this is largely determined by your course of study.
Back to what veterinarians do, majorly, a veterinary doctor prevents, diagnoses, treats, and ensures the health and well-being of animals are protected.
To expound a little bit more on their role, here are some of the duties of a Veterinary doctor;
- Vets advise animal owners about the precise maintenance of their pets and their livestock.
- Veterinarians assist in the prevention and control of animal and human diseases to promote public health.
- Administers immunizations and conducts physical examinations on animals.
- Provides emergency care, surgery, and dental procedures on animals.
- Prescribes medications and euthanizes animals.
- As an epidemiologist, vets examine disease outbreaks of animals and humans like foodborne diseases, influenza, plague, rabies, AIDS, and encephalitis.
- Furthermore, they assess the safety of food processing plants, restaurants, and water supplies.
- Vets add to scientific publications to help graduate veterinarians acquire new knowledge and skills.
What Does it Take to Become a Veterinary Doctor?
Becoming a veterinary doctor in Pennsylvania is a great feat.
However, to get started on that path, you need to get at least training or experience from any of the Best Veterinary Schools in the world.
That’s why we have put this piece together to give you a heads up on the schools for Veterinary students in Pennsylvania if you choose to study in Pennsylvania.
However, before I walk you through that, there are some of the processes that will give you a firm footing to start this veterinary journey.
To become a veterinarian, you have to;
- Graduate High School, 4 years in veterinary medicine or science and 2 years as a veterinary technician.
- Then complete an accredited vet tech program which may take 2 to 4 years.
- Lastly, take the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam). ExamSnap is where IT professionals go to practice for their professional exams, so you may also want to find a platform where you can practice for your Vet Tech Certification.
What is the Cost Of Attending Veterinary Schools in Pennsylvania?
Before we talk about the Vet Colleges and schools in Pennsylvania, you need to know the tuition cost of Veterinary Schools in the area.
Keep in mind that the cost will differ based on the following reasons;
- School Status: private or public?
- Program of study: undergraduate or master’s degree?
- Even in private or public schools, the tuition fee depends on the school.
Are Veterinarians in High Demand in the US States?
Yes, veterinarians are in high demand in the USA.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for veterinary Doctors, surgeons, Technicians, and animal caregivers will increase by 18% between 2018-2028.
What this means is that people are expected to spend more money on their pets and this will increase the demand for veterinary services.
Available veterinary jobs for technicians, assistants, and animal caregivers are growing at a rate of 400 new positions every year.
Therefore, it’s not out of place to say that if you become a veterinarian today, you will not be out of jobs.
In the USA as a whole, there are about 110,650 veterinarian employees with Pennsylvania accounting for 3,000 of these employees.
Major Factors To Consider Before Going to Vet Schools in Pennsylvania.
Before making an advance to apply to study in Pennsylvania vet schools and colleges ensure you take these key factors into consideration.
- Accreditation
- Acceptance Rate
- Number of Programs.
- Graduation & Employment Rate.
Best Veterinary Schools For Veterinary Students In Pennsylvania.
Before we proceed, it’s ideal to know that there are just a few schools that offer Veterinary programs in Virginia.
These colleges have a track record of offering the best veterinary training in Pennsylvania and compete with most colleges in the whole of the USA.
Without further ado, here is a list of colleges for Veterinary medicine, tech, and other related courses in Pennsylvania.
#1. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus:
- Location: University Park, PA
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Number of Veterinary Programs: 5
- Number of Student Population: 91,427
One of the best veterinary science colleges in Pennsylvania is the Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a very large, public university offering 4-year courses.
This vet school offers 4 veterinary science degrees.
In 2019, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus graduated 49 Veterinary Science students with 46 Bachelor’s degrees, and 3 Doctoral degrees.
#2. Wilson College:
- Location: Chambersburg, PA
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 34:1
- Number of Veterinary Programs: 2
- Number of Student Population: 1,618
Wilson College is not a very large institution, however, it still tops the list as one of the good vet schools in Pennsylvania.
This college is a small private college that also offers a 4-year course.
Wilson College offers 2 Veterinary Science degree programs.
As of 2019, Wilson College graduated 32 Veterinary Science students with 32 Bachelor’s degrees.
#3. University of Pennsylvania:
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Number of Veterinary Programs: 1
- Number of Student Population: 26,675
UPenn as it’s popularly known is a large private university that offers four-year courses.
As one of the vet schools of reckon in Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania offers veterinary science degree programs.
Following their academic prowess as well as high graduation rate, the University of Pennsylvania graduated 121 Veterinary Science students with 121 Doctoral degrees in 2019.
#4. Drexel University:
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Number of Veterinary Programs: 1
- Number of Student Population: 24,205
Another university that offers one of the best vet programs in Pennsylvania is Drexel University.
Drexel University is quite a large institution through private.
Its degree programs are majorly four years courses. And for vet programs, Drexel University offers just 1 Veterinary Science degree program.
#5. Vet Tech Institute
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 34:1
- Number of Veterinary Programs: 1
- Number of Student Population: 339
Vet Tech Institute is not a large institution.
If you want to study veterinary technology, the vet tech institute is a good consideration.
At Vet Tech Institute, you study for two years to become a professional veterinary technician.
#6. YTI Career Institute-York
- Location: York, PA
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 21:1
- Number of Veterinary Programs: 1
- Number of Student Population: 873
YTI Career Institute-York is one of the best vet schools in Pennsylvania that prepares students in the area of veterinary technology.
Vet Techs who graduate from YTI Career Institute-York are highly sought after due to the high level of professionalism in which they were groomed.
#7. Harcum College:
- Location: Bryn Mawr, PA
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Number of Veterinary Programs: 1
- Number of Student Population: 1,363
Harcum College is one of the schools in Pennsylvania that offers veterinary programs.
Another reason why many students study at Harcum College is its small-sized population.
#8. Great Lakes Institute of Technology
- Location: Erie, PA
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Number of Veterinary Programs: 1
- Number of Student Population: 442
Great Lakes Institute of Technology is a technology school that offers students one of the best vet tech programs.
Veterinary studies at the Great Lakes Institute of Technology prepare students to become highly sought professionals.
#9. Pittsburgh Career Institute
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 4:1
- Number of Veterinary Programs: 1
- Number of Student Population: 66
If you’re looking at studying vet in a really small school, Pittsburgh Career Institute should be your very first consideration.
Although Pittsburgh Career Institute is a small-sized institution, it is one of the best vet Schools In Pennsylvania.
#10. Manor College
- Location: Jenkintown, PA
- Student to Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Number of Veterinary Programs: 5
- Number of Student Population: 746
Manor College is the last but not the least of vet schools in Pennsylvania.
Students who study at Manor College are equipped to become professionals.
Other Great Vet Schools in Pennsylvania.
- Johnson College
- Laurel Technical Institute
- Lehigh Carbon Community College
- Northampton County Area Community College
- Lancaster County Career and Technology Center
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Vet Schools For Veterinarians in Pennsylvania.
Does Pennsylvania Have Online Distance Programs For Veterinary Programs?
No, at the moment, there are no online veterinary programs in Pennsylvania.
How Many Vets Are in Pennsylvania?
The number of veterinarians employed in the USA is about 110,650 and in Pennsylvania, there are about 3,000.
What’s the Duration of Veterinary Studies in Pennsylvania?
To become a veterinary technician in Pennsylvania vet schools takes 2 years to complete.
That earns you an Associate degree in Veterinary Technology.
However, to become a veterinary doctor or surgeon requires you to earn a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in Animal Sciences, veterinary medicine, or public health.
That takes 4 years.
Does Pennsylvania have a vet school?
Yes, Pennsylvania has vet schools, the most prominent being the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania – Penn Vet.
How Much Do Veterinary Technicians Earn In Pennsylvania?
The national average salary for a veterinary technician is 110,650.
Veterinarians in Pennsylvania can make anywhere in the range of $72,000 to $166,000 per year.
The list below shows average salaries for veterinarians in cities across Pennsylvania.
- Reading: $135,000
- Pittsburgh: $109,000.
- Harrisburg, Carlisle: $113,000.
- Montgomery County, Bucks County, Chester County: $132,000.
Are Vet Schools and Colleges in Pennsylvania Accredited?
Yes, Pennsylvania vet schools and colleges are accredited by the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA), the accrediting body of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
What Are The Professional Veterinary Technology Organizations in Pennsylvania?
Professional Organizations in Pennsylvania include;
- The Society of Veterinary Technicians and Assistants.
- National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).
Where Are Veterinary Technicians Employed in Pennsylvania?
Vet techs in Pennsylvania work in places such as
- Clinics.
- Farms
- Zoos.
- Shelters
- Kennels.
- Universities
- Wildlife centers.
- Veterinary hospitals
- Aquariums
- Animal control facilities
- Animal rescue centers
- Government regulatory agencies
- Biomedical research labs
- Specialty clinics (e.g., avian, equine),
Summary
There’s no doubt that becoming a vet student in Pennsylvania takes commitment and patience.
However, if you’re able to make it into one of the best vet schools in Pennsylvania, you have one problem solved.
By following through with our recommendations on the best vet schools in Pennsylvania, you will surely become a vet doctor or technician well trained.
