Best Veterinary Science colleges in California
Veterinarians work with pets and livestock to provide medical care, annual check-ups, and emergency aid. For California residents interested in caring for animals big and small, a degree in veterinary science is the first step towards a rewarding career path.
California has the highest number of veterinarians of any state, and while a large portion of veterinarians cares for household pets like dogs, cats, and snakes, another sector that requires veterinary services is California’s massive livestock industry that includes cows, sheep, pigs, and horses.
Students must earn their degree in veterinary science in-person and complete observation hours working under the direction of a licensed professional. Schools like UCLA and UC Davis offer veterinary majors, though many students choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science in biology or anatomy before applying to graduate level veterinary programs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that veterinary opportunities in California exceed 7,000 statewide with salaries that can reach almost $100,000 annually.
Best Veterinary Science colleges in California for 2026
Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista offers 2 Veterinary Science degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, two-year college in a large city. In 2024, 156 Veterinary Science students graduated with students earning 122 Certificates, and 34 Associate's degrees.
Western University of Health Sciences offers 1 Veterinary Science degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 106 Veterinary Science students graduated with students earning 106 Doctoral degrees.
Platt College-Los Angeles offers 3 Veterinary Science degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 190 Veterinary Science students graduated with students earning 138 Certificates, and 52 Associate's degrees.
University of California-Davis offers 4 Veterinary Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2024, 154 Veterinary Science students graduated with students earning 146 Doctoral degrees, and 8 Master's degrees.
Foothill College offers 2 Veterinary Science degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 28 Veterinary Science students graduated with students earning 23 Associate's degrees, and 5 Certificates.
Cosumnes River College offers 2 Veterinary Science degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a large city.
Yuba College offers 2 Veterinary Science degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a midsize suburb. In 2024, 14 Veterinary Science students graduated with students earning 14 Associate's degrees.
Carrington College-Sacramento offers 1 Veterinary Science degree programs. It's a small, private for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 37 Veterinary Science students graduated with students earning 37 Associate's degrees.
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia offers 2 Veterinary Science degree programs. It's a small, private for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city.
Modesto Junior College offers 2 Veterinary Science degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2024, 67 Veterinary Science students graduated with students earning 45 Certificates, and 22 Associate's degrees.
Top schools offering Veterinary Science degrees in California
List of all Veterinary Science colleges in California
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista Chula Vista, CA | 19 : 1 | 537 | |
|
Western University of Health Sciences Pomona, CA | 16 : 1 | 3,665 | |
|
Platt College-Los Angeles Alhambra, CA | 27 : 1 | 570 | |
|
University of California-Davis Davis, CA | 23 : 1 | 40,065 | |
|
Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CA | 75 : 1 | 12,949 | |