What is the Cost of Vet School?

So You’re Thinking About Vet School?

As a kid, did you spend your summers on your grandpa’s farm, snuggling all the cats and dogs (and a horse every now and then)?

Maybe you had a pivotal moment as an undergraduate biology student, or perhaps a trip to your local veterinary clinic got you hooked on veterinary medicine.

No matter how you discovered your passion for animals, you need to go to veterinary school to offer the highest degree of care for pets. Cost remains an important factor when it comes to choosing the right fit. Check out our tips for choosing the right veterinary school for you and also maximizing the best opportunities for your future career.

How Much Do Vet Schools Cost?

The average cost of tuition for veterinary schools in Canada is around $70,000 annually for international students. Residents pay around $13,000 per year. It’s not cheap, so you want to make sure you get the best combination of a sound education and the lowest cost possible.

Manage The Cost Of Vet School

Despite the hefty out-of-pocket costs of vet school, know that you have some options to help combat those expenses as you go through school.

Step 1: Manage undergraduate costs.

If you know early on that you plan to go to vet school, you can manage the costs of your undergraduate education. Choose to attend a less expensive institution, graduate early, and/or apply for many scholarships and grants, which you don’t have to pay back.

Consider getting a job while you’re an undergraduate student (if you can manage to devote enough time to your studies) to help reduce the costs. Try to minimize the number of loans you take out as well.

Step 2: Choose an affordable vet school.

Compare financial aid awards at the vet schools to which you apply. Never assume that you’ll pay the full cost shown on the school’s website. What looks like a really expensive school based on sticker price might end up costing you less once the school adds in scholarships and other financial aid.

Also, have a conversation with the financial aid office at the vet schools on your list. Many colleges and universities list only the direct costs of financial aid awards, but ask about other fees as well, such as lab fees.

Look carefully at a school’s costs page online or call the financial aid office so you consider each and every cost.

Step 3: Look for outside scholarships.

Many veterinary schools offer scholarships for deserving students through private endowments. However, you want to look into outside scholarships as well. This means that you want to check into scholarships offered through local and national organizations.

You can even take a look at scholarships that don’t explicitly explain that they cater to veterinary students. For example, you might want to apply to scholarships like this:

What Is A Vet’s Average Salary?

You might wonder what’s waiting for you after vet school, which can also affect how much you spend on school. The median annual wage for veterinarians in Canada is around $104,000.

Another thing to keep in mind: You’ll need to consider your money needs after school ends – including setting up a practice and also hiring vet technicians and receptionists to get your practice up and going.

Are You Ready For Vet School?

If you choose a veterinary school, you want to make sure you have a passion for the field, because it can get very expensive. Then, once you have your veterinary degree, you want to provide the best service possible to your clients.