Top 9 Vet Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates 2026

Many veterinary schools have tough requirements for admission, just like any advanced healthcare field. So, you'll need to aim for top grades and get recommendations from college professors to get into a reputable program. However, there are several vet schools with high acceptance rates that still provide a high-quality education and prepare you for private animal-care practice.

How Competitive Are Vet Schools?

Veterinary schools have very competitive graduate-level degree programs, especially if you apply from out of state. Most schools admit only 10% of applicants among students with high academic performance. Some colleges admit as few as 5% of qualified applicants.

There are exceptions to these low acceptance rates, but no vet schools offer automatic admissions. Most applicants hold at least a bachelor's degree and often a master's degree in an allied health science field. Some Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs also prefer composite GRE scores of at least 300 for admission.

What Is Considered a High Acceptance Rate for a Vet School?

A high acceptance rate in this competitive field would be about 15% or higher. There are a handful of DVM programs that accept over 20% of applicants, but none that regularly admit more than a quarter of applicants. You may have at least a 30% chance if you apply to schools within your state.

What Are the Easiest Vet Schools To Get Into?

Below, we'll highlight a few of the easiest vet schools for admission. These institutions are still quite competitive, but you may have better odds at these reputable colleges for veterinary medicine.

• Colorado State University: About a 23% acceptance rate
• Tuskegee University: About a 20% acceptance rate
• Michigan State University: About a 20% acceptance rate

Best Veterinary Degree Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates

Here is a list of accredited vet schools to consider. This section gives you a program description, estimated acceptance rates, typical tuition costs, and accreditation information.

1. Tuskegee University

Tuskegee University, located in Tuskegee, AL, has a four-year DVM program, which accepts about one-fifth of all applicants. It covers fascinating course topics, such as large animal medicine, foreign animal diseases, exotic pet medicine, and small animal reproduction.

This school also offers a master's degree in veterinary sciences and an interdisciplinary pathology doctorate.

• Acceptance rate: About 20%
• Estimated tuition cost: $45,492 per year
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Western University of Health Sciences

The Western University of Health Sciences admits about 17% of applicants to its DVM program. You must apply by Sept. 15, and if you pass the initial admissions process, you'll get the chance to interview with faculty members and associated veterinarians.

• Acceptance rate: About 17%
• Estimated tuition cost: $67,846 per year
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

3. Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University (LSU) admits roughly 16% of applicants for its 200-student DVM cohorts. Although the tuition rate is still somewhat high, in-state students will find this to be a much more affordable DVM program compared to many other vet schools. Many second-, third-, and fourth-year students receive scholarship funding to offset the remaining costs.

• Acceptance rate: About 16%
• Estimated tuition cost: $28,792 per year
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. Colorado State University

Colorado State University has the third-best veterinary school in the country, according to US News & World Report. This Fort Collins university also has the highest acceptance rate among reputable vet schools. Prospective veterinarians have their choice of over 25 specializations in this field.

• Acceptance rate: About 23%
• Estimated tuition cost: $2,190 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

5. Michigan State University

Michigan State University (MSU) admits 20% of applicants, provided they have completed all prerequisite courses by the time of application. MSU recommends (but does not require) incoming students to have at least 150 hours of supervised work with a veterinarian. It does not require standardized test scores for admissions.

• Acceptance rate: About 20%
• Estimated tuition cost: $155,000 (total program costs)
• Accreditation: HLC

6. Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University has a higher-than-average admission rate and provides detailed video instructions for navigating its admissions process. Texas residents stand a much better chance of gaining acceptance. In 2026, Texas A&M matriculated 164 of 690 residential applicants (24%) versus only eight out of 222 out-of-state applicants.

• Acceptance rate: About 19%
• Estimated tuition cost: $21,447 per year
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Oregon State University

Oregon State University does not require any specific undergraduate background for program admission, but it requires several prerequisite courses. This includes multiple biology courses, organic chemistry, physics, genetics, and statistics.

Almost one-third of residential applicants receive acceptance while submitting an average cumulative GPA of 3.68.

• Acceptance rate: About 15%
• Estimated tuition cost: $31,598 per year
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

8. University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee, located in Knoxville, TN, admits a much greater proportion of residential applicants (at least one-third) than out-of-state applicants. Almost all in-state applicants receive at least a faculty interview.

Since 2020, this school has not required GRE scores for admissions, and the cumulative GPA for incoming Tennessee residents is about 3.7.

• Acceptance rate: About 15%
• Estimated tuition cost: $30,788 per year
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Ohio State University

The Ohio State University publishes certain technical standards that a prospective student must meet to be accepted. This includes qualitative and quantitative analysis skills, mental and physical stamina for rigorous coursework, and the ability to observe signs of fear and aggression from animals.

This vet school admits about 165 new students each year and offers substantial scholarship funding upon acceptance.

• Acceptance rate: About 15%
• Estimated tuition cost: $39,258 per year
• Accreditation: HLC

Admissions Requirements for Vet Schools With High Acceptance Rates

Since vet school admissions are highly competitive, you should know the basic requirements. Focus on these four criteria: GPA, standardized test scores, faculty recommendations, and previous healthcare experience.

• Undergraduate/graduate GPA: Most DVM programs prefer to admit students with at least a 3.5 GPA from all college coursework.
• Test scores (if required): Even if the GRE is optional, it will help your application to submit a composite score higher than 300.
• Faculty recommendations: If your intended program takes a holistic approach to admissions, then it will help to have strong recommendations from college professors.
• Previous healthcare experience: Some aspiring vets already have experience as veterinary assistants or nurses, which looks good on a graduate school education.

FAQs About Vet Schools With High Acceptance Rates

Check out this list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) for prospective veterinary students. These four questions address issues like acceptance rates, GPA requirements, and top-ranked schools.

Are There Any Vet Schools With a 100% Acceptance Rate?

No, there are no open admissions schools for veterinary school. Each program on our list rejects a majority of overall applicants. Some of the less competitive schools may admit closer to half of in-state applicants, though.

What Is the Lowest GPA To Get Into Vet School?

Almost every vet school requires at least a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Many expect students to earn at least a 3.6 cumulative GPA with top grades in natural science coursework. Given the competition at some schools, even a GPA close to 4.0 does not guarantee program acceptance.

What Is the Hardest Vet School To Get Into?

There are several universities that admit fewer than 10% of applicants. The University of Arizona has an acceptance rate of just 5.7% of highly qualified applicants, whereas Oklahoma State University admits only 6.7% of applicants. You may stand a better chance at the University of Arizona if you hold in-state residence, since the school accepts 28% of residential applicants.

What Is the #1 Vet School in the World?

The most prestigious international vet school is Royal Veterinary College in London, England. Among American schools, the University of California - Davis consistently ranks # 1. It also has an acceptance rate below 10%. Cornell University also has a very well-respected veterinary program in Ithaca, NY.

Explore Vet Programs

We welcome you to learn more about vet programs by exploring our other articles on the topic. Learn.org has degree program information for hundreds of American colleges in every important academic discipline, including veterinary care.