Accredited Online Veterinary & Animal Science Schools 2026

Updated on 9/22/2025

A degree in animal or veterinary sciences can lead to several career options focused on animal health, well-being, and behavior. Students who can't study on campus for one reason or another may be able to earn their degrees online.

While there are no completely online vet schools, many schools offer certain veterinary or animal science programs online. Keep reading to discover accredited online veterinary and animal science programs.

What Types of Veterinary and Animal Science Programs Are Available Online?

There are several different types of veterinary and animal science degree programs available to online students. These include:

• Pre-veterinary and animal science bachelor's degrees: Pre-vet or animal science degrees are often designed for students who want to go on to pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or who are planning careers in other areas of animal care.
• Veterinary technician bachelor's degrees: Online vet tech programs are meant to lead to state licensure as a registered veterinary technician (RVT) or are meant to allow students to further their education after becoming an RVT. Similar options include veterinary nurse or veterinary assistant programs.
• Graduate programs in animal science or veterinary public health: Online animal science degrees at the graduate level lead to research roles and other roles in animal healthcare.

Note that there are no online veterinary schools accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) that currently offer online or hybrid DVM programs. However, according to the AVMA, Hanover College in Indiana is hoping to launch the nation's first hybrid DVM in 2027.

Accredited Online Animal Science and Vet Schools

A few schools across the U.S. offer online animal science or veterinary programs. We've highlighted some of these options below.

1. Unity Environmental University

Unity Environmental University is a private, nonprofit university in New Gloucester, ME. It offers several bachelor's degrees in animal studies through distance learning, with majors in:

• agricultural animal science
• animal health and behavior
• companion animal science
• equine animal science

At the graduate level, students can earn a master's in animal science and behavior. A master's program focusing on the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health is also available.

• Estimated tuition cost: $470 per credit (bachelor's); $550 per credit (master's)
• Program length: Two and a half to five years (bachelor's); one to one and a half years (master's)
• Accreditation: New England Commssion of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. University of Missouri

At the University of Missouri (Mizzou), students can earn a bachelor's in veterinary technology online through the school's College of Veterinary Medicine. The program, designed for both new and experienced vet techs, helps students master veterinary sciences, anesthesia, clinical pathology, veterinary specialties, and other advanced topics.

Mizzou is a public research university located in Columbia, MO. It also offers online master's degrees in veterinary sciences and veterinary public health.

• Estimated tuition cost: $597.60 per credit (bachelor's); $551.30 per credit (master's in veterinary science); $634 per credit (master's in veterinary public health)
• Program length: One year (master's in veterinary science); three years (bachelor's and master's in veterinary public health)
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), AVMA

3. University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF) offers a master's in veterinary medical sciences online with concentrations in shelter medicine and forensic toxicology. UF is a public research university in Gainesville, FL.

These degrees are offered through UF's College of Veterinary Medicine, which also offers a full master's in veterinary forensic sciences online. Animal lovers may also want to check out some of the online programs in agricultural and life sciences, including master's degrees in entomology and nematology, fisheries and aquatic sciences, and wildlife ecology.

• Estimated tuition cost: $525 per credit
• Program length: Two years
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); AVMA

4. Husson University

Online degrees in animal behavior are available at both the bachelor's and master's levels at Husson University. The bachelor's program in animal care and behavior covers topics like animal health, animal breeding, animal wellness, and animal welfare.

Husson University, located in Bangor, ME, is a private, nonprofit institution. The advanced degree in applied animal behavior and welfare helps students gain an advanced understanding of the behavior, health, and nutrition of both domestic animals and wildlife.

• Estimated tuition cost: $448 per credit (bachelor's); $548 per credit (master's)
• Program length: One to four years (bachelor's); two years (master's)
• Accreditation: NECHE

5. St. Petersburg College

St. Petersburg College is a public school in St. Petersburg, FL. It offers an online associate and bachelor's in veterinary technology online, as well as an online certificate in veterinary practice management.

These programs offer online courses, and any required clinical practicums can be done at a veterinary clinic near where the student lives. Note that the bachelor's program is for students who already have their vet tech license.

• Estimated tuition cost: $111.75 to $122.70 per credit (in-state); $386.90 to $425.79 (out-of-state)
• Program length: Two years
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, AVMA, and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)

6. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) can earn a Master of Veterinary Science online or on campus. The program offers two pathways: applied veterinary science and livestock systems health.

UIUC, a public research university, is located in Champaign, IL. The master's is designed for animal health and veterinary professionals at all stages of their careers and is available full-time and part-time.

• Estimated tuition cost: $775 per credit
• Program length: One and a half to two years
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Kansas State University

The online bachelor's degree in animal sciences and industry at Kansas State University (K-State) includes courses on life sciences, animal nutrition, and animal food product production. K-State is a public research university in Manhattan, KS.

The degree offers two concentrations: management and industry and animal science/pre-veterinary. The management and industry option focuses on the breeding, feeding, care, and welfare of animals, while the science/pre-vet option is designed for those who want to continue to a graduate veterinary education program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $506.85 per credit
• Program length: Four years
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University's (App State) online bachelor's in veterinary technology is a four-year program developed in conjunction with Banfield Pet Hospital. The program incorporates training in core vet tech subject areas and offers focus areas in companion animal, practice management, and one health.

App State, located in Boone, NC, is a public university. Students here take courses online and participate in hands-on clinical experiences at veterinary clinics and other animal health settings.

• Estimated tuition cost: $205 per credit (in-state); $494 per credit (out-of-state)
• Program length: Four years
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, AVMA

9. Iowa State University

Iowa State University is a public research institution in Ames, IA. It offers an online master's degree in veterinary preventive medicine with both a thesis and a non-thesis option.

Courses cover topics like epidemiology, diagnostics, and animal welfare. The program provides the skills and experience needed for careers in areas like public health, food safety, emerging infectious diseases, and livestock health.

• Estimated tuition cost: $750 per credit
• Program length: Two and a half years
• Accreditation: HLC

10. Oregon State University

Through Oregon State University (OSU), students can earn an online bachelor's degree in animal science. Courses include topics on animal nutrition, animal production systems, animal breeding, and equine systems.

OSU, a public research university, is located in Corvallis, OR. It also offers other online degrees in similar fields, including zoology and fisheries, wildlife, and conservation sciences.

• Estimated tuition cost: $384 per credit
• Program length: Two to four years
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

How We Rank Schools

To choose the online veterinary schools and animal science programs listed above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All institutions are regionally accredited, and programs are AVMA-accredited when applicable.
• Program reputation: In addition to accreditation, all schools are nonprofit and known for offering high-quality programs.
• Flexibility: All programs listed above have options that allow students to take the program either completely or predominantly online.

FAQs About Online Veterinary and Animal Science Degrees

Aspiring veterinary students and healthcare professionals may benefit from taking courses online. We've answered some frequently asked questions about veterinary and animal science degrees online below.

How Much Does an Online Veterinary or Animal Science Program Cost?

The cost of an online vet or animal science program will depend on a few factors, including the type and level of degree you're pursuing, the amount of credits you need, the school you choose, the state you reside in, and your financial aid status.

Many online bachelor's degrees cost less than $500 per credit, even for out-of-state students. Master's degrees typically cost a little more, but many are less than $800 per credit.

Is It Possible To Do Vet School Online?

While it is possible to earn some animal science and veterinary-related degrees online, you cannot complete all coursework and requirements online to earn a DVM. Currently, there are no accredited online or hybrid DMV programs.

What Is the Quickest Veterinary Degree?

The quickest veterinary degree is likely going to be an associate degree in veterinary technology, veterinary nursing, or veterinary assisting. While most schools don't offer these programs online, a few do.

Is Online Vet School Worth It?

There are a few reasons why you may want to pursue a pre-vet, vet tech, or animal science degree online. If you're looking to join a veterinary team, prepare for vet school, or work in another area of animal science, but have other obligations outside of school, online programs give you a flexible option.

Online learning is also worth it if you want to attend a school that's not local to you, but you aren't able to move. You'll still earn your degree from your chosen school, but you don't have to go to campus.

Discover Animal Science and Veterinary Schools

Start your journey toward a career in animal or veterinary sciences by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.