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 2023

University of California-Davis offers 4 Veterinary Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2020, 158 Veterinary Science students graduated with students earning 148 Doctoral degrees, and 10 Master's degrees.

University of California-San Diego offers 1 Veterinary Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2020, 43 Veterinary Science students graduated with students earning 43 Bachelor's degrees.

Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Image by @kaiii_e

Stanford University offers 1 Veterinary Science degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona offers 1 Veterinary Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2020, 32 Veterinary Science students graduated with students earning 32 Bachelor's degrees.

List of all Veterinary Science colleges in California

School Average Tuition Student Teacher Ratio Enrolled Students
Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista Logo Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista Chula Vista, CA   22 : 1 737
Western University of Health Sciences Logo Western University of Health Sciences Pomona, CA   15 : 1 3,813
Platt College-Los Angeles Logo Platt College-Los Angeles Alhambra, CA
3/5
42 : 1 717
University of California-Davis Logo University of California-Davis Davis, CA
3/5
22 : 1 39,074
Cosumnes River College Logo Cosumnes River College Sacramento, CA
1/5
75 : 1 14,667