Top 10 Community Colleges With Vet Tech Programs 2025

If you're interested in becoming a veterinary technologist or technician, pursuing an associate degree in this field can help you get there. Maybe you're wondering about the programs available and would like to know more about community colleges that offer vet tech programs.

Keep reading as we explore some top programs in the U.S., including some with online coursework options. We'll also take a look at various types of vet tech programs and answer a few common questions you may have.

Do Community Colleges Offer Vet Tech Programs?

Yes, there are many community colleges with vet tech programs. These programs are commonly offered as associate degrees � so they are most often available at community, trade, and technical colleges.

Some vet tech programs are available online or in a hybrid format, while others are completed fully on campus. Regardless of the program format, students will be expected to complete internships, practicums, or other hands-on training components that will help them gain real-world experience.

What Type of Vet Tech Training Can I Get at a Community College?

Community colleges with vet programs typically offer them as Associate of Science (AS) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. Common majors for students interested in becoming vet techs include:

• Veterinary Technology: This is the standard vet tech associate degree. Veterinary technology programs provide training in how to assist veterinarians with clinical and surgical procedures, diagnostic testing, and administering medications and vaccinations.
• Veterinary Medical Technology: Veterinary medical technology is another name for a standard vet tech training program. These programs provide the same foundational training as veterinary technology programs.
• Veterinary Nursing: In some regions, vet techs are known as vet nurses. As a result, many schools offer veterinary nursing associate degrees instead of vet tech programs. They provide the same basic training but may place a stronger emphasis on more advanced animal care techniques.

10 Best Community Colleges for Vet Tech Programs

If you'd like to know more about what community colleges offer vet tech programs, you're in the right place. Keep reading as we look at some top vet tech degree programs at community colleges throughout the country.

1. Black Hawk College

Black Hawk College is a public school with campuses in Moline and Galva, IL. It provides a top-notch AAS in veterinary technology program that students complete on campus.

This program consists of 80 credit hours and covers a wide range of topics such as small animal healthcare, communication in vet practice, and vet tech pharmacology. The program features frequent start dates so students can begin at their convenience.

• Estimated tuition cost: $174 to $270 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Portland Community College

Portland Community College is a public school in Portland, OR. It offers an on-campus associate degree in veterinary technology through its Rock Creek campus.

This program is the first of its kind in Oregon and one of only five such programs in the Pacific Northwest. Students gain extensive hands-on experience working with various types of animals on campus and participate in externships, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future careers upon graduation.

• Estimated tuition cost: $138 to $288 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

3. San Juan College

San Juan College is located in Farmington, NM. This public school provides a flexible online AAS in veterinary technology.

Students in this program receive a rigorous education and routinely have Veterinary Technician National Exam pass rates well above the national average. The online curriculum provides extra flexibility, allowing students to study when and where it's convenient for them.

• Estimated tuition cost: $61 to $395 per credit hour
• Accreditation: HLC

4. St. Petersburg College

St. Petersburg College is headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL. Learners at this public school can pursue an AS in veterinary technology either online or in person.

In-person students complete hands-on training at the school's state-of-the-art facilities, while online students complete coursework remotely and work clinical practicums at facilities in their local communities. Depending on the program, students must complete 100 to 280 clinical hours each semester.

• Estimated tuition cost: $111.75 to $386.90 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

5. Dallas College

Dallas College is a public school system with campuses throughout the Dallas, TX area. Students can complete an AAS in veterinary technology at the school's Cedar Valley campus or online.

This five-semester program covers a wide range of topics and competencies. It features highly affordable tuition for in-state learners and the flexibility to choose your preferred method of study.

• Estimated tuition cost: $99 to $169 per credit hour
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Colby Community College

Colby Community College is located in Colby, KS. It offers a veterinary nursing associate degree program that students can complete online or on campus.

This school features one of the oldest vet tech programs in the nation and provides high-quality training. Students in the online program complete hands-on experiences at local veterinary hospitals in their communities.

• Estimated tuition cost: $135 to $234 per credit hour
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Mesa Community College

Mesa Community College is a public school in Mesa, AZ. Students can complete an AAS degree in veterinary technology on campus or in a hybrid format at this school.

The program typically requires about seven semesters to complete, though students with transfer credits may be able to graduate sooner. A blend of classes and internships provides a well-rounded education.

• Estimated tuition cost: $97 to $531 per credit hour
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Connecticut State Community College

Connecticut State Community College is a system of 12 community colleges in the state of Connecticut. Students can pursue a vet tech associate degree at the school's Middlesex, Norwalk, and Northwestern campuses.

These programs are highly selective and competitive, and they provide intense hands-on training opportunities at world-class facilities. Learners complete the program on campus, though some specific courses may be available in an online or hybrid format.

• Estimated tuition cost: $192 to $578 per credit hour
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

9. Central Carolina Community College

Central Carolina Community College has campuses in Lee, Chatham, and Harnett Counties in North Carolina. It offers an associate degree in veterinary medical technology through its Lee campus.

The program can be completed in five or six semesters of full-time study. Students complete 71 credit hours of classroom and hands-on learning, gaining experience with various types of animals in different settings.

• Estimated tuition cost: $76 to $268 per credit hour
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. Penn Foster College

Penn Foster College is a private, for-profit online school providing associate and bachelor's degrees in various fields. One of the programs available is a vet tech associate degree.

This program is offered in a highly flexible, self-paced, online format. Students complete courses in a timeframe that works for them and gain at least 350 clinical hours through externships in locations convenient to them.

• Estimated tuition cost: $144 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

How We Rank Schools

We strive to include only top programs when creating our school rank lists. We used the following criteria when selecting the community colleges above:

• Accreditation: All of the schools are institutionally accredited, and the vet tech programs are accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AMVA).
• Affordability: Each school features affordable tuition, especially for in-state or in-district learners, and various financial aid options.
• Program reputation: All of the schools are known for providing high-quality academic programs for both in-person and online learners.

FAQs About Community College Vet Tech Programs

If you still have questions about pursuing a vet tech degree at a community college, you're not alone. Keep reading as we provide answers to some frequently asked questions.

How Much Does a Vet Tech Degree Cost at a Community College?

Community colleges with vet tech programs charge different tuition rates depending on location, type of school, residency status, and other factors. Among the schools in this article, tuition rates range from $61 to $578 per credit hour.

Do Vet Techs Need To Go to Community College?

It is possible to become a vet tech without a degree, but candidates typically need to have a significant amount of relevant experience. What's more, those planning to eventually become veterinarians will need to attend veterinary school and earn advanced degrees. Pre-vet community colleges can help students prepare for these future goals.

What Degree Is Best for a Vet Tech?

As noted, there are many community colleges that offer vet tech associate degrees. Some two- and four-year schools also offer bachelor's degrees in the field.

Candidates holding bachelor's degrees are sometimes preferred for competitive vet tech positions, and they may earn more than those with an associate degree alone. That said, an associate degree in veterinary technology or a related field is the industry standard, as the majority of vet techs hold this level of education.

Can I Skip College and Go to Vet School?

Vet school, like medical school, is a graduate-level institution requiring applicants to hold at least a bachelor's degree. Therefore, you cannot skip college and go straight to vet school.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Vet Tech?

In most cases, it takes about two to four years for students to become vet techs. Associate degree programs require two years of full-time study, while bachelor's degrees require four years. Students studying part-time may take longer to earn their chosen degree, while those in accelerated programs may graduate sooner.

Discover More Veterinarian Degrees

If you're ready to begin your journey as a vet tech, explore the schools featured here on Learn.org. Contact any of the schools for more information on their programs and choose the right one for you.