[Veterinary Medicine](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-medicine/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong veterinary medicine education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value veterinary medicine schools.
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Finding the Best Value Veterinary Medicine School for You
The right veterinary medicine school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Veterinary Medicine Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Veterinary Medicine Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among veterinary medicine schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for veterinary medicine graduates is $17,669. Early-career veterinary medicine graduates make about $101,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in veterinary medicine will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Veterinary Medicine graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Early-career veterinary medicine graduates make about $96,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for veterinary medicine. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for veterinary medicine graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, veterinary medicine degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $96,208. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Davis earned it the #4 place for veterinary medicine. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the veterinary medicine program here. Veterinary Medicine graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value veterinary medicine schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for veterinary medicine graduates is $19,844. Veterinary Medicine graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $102,776 early in their careers. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Washington State University landed the #6 spot for veterinary medicine value this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete the veterinary medicine program here. Early-career veterinary medicine graduates make about $105,558. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #7 position for value in veterinary medicine this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the veterinary medicine program here. Veterinary Medicine graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #8 for value in veterinary medicine this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for veterinary medicine graduates is $21,861. Early-career veterinary medicine graduates make about $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Mississippi State University earned the #9 position for value in veterinary medicine this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Veterinary Medicine graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans. Early-career veterinary medicine graduates make about $98,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in veterinary medicine this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Veterinary Medicine graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Veterinary Medicine graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $103,575 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #11 for value in veterinary medicine this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for veterinary medicine graduates is $21,813. Early-career veterinary medicine graduates make about $89,592. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #12 position for value in veterinary medicine this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Veterinary Medicine graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Early-career veterinary medicine graduates make about $91,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value veterinary medicine schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for veterinary medicine graduates is $21,577. Early-career veterinary medicine graduates make about $88,898. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University came in at #14 for value in veterinary medicine this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the veterinary medicine program here. Early-career veterinary medicine graduates make about $93,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in veterinary medicine this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Veterinary Medicine graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, veterinary medicine degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $125,002. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln Memorial University earned the #16 position for value in veterinary medicine this year. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,938. Veterinary Medicine graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans. Early-career veterinary medicine graduates make about $98,489. That is a strong return on a $20,693 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value veterinary medicine schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for veterinary medicine graduates is $23,495. Early-career veterinary medicine graduates make about $96,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #18 spot for veterinary medicine value this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Veterinary Medicine graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Veterinary Medicine graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $95,509 early in their careers. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #19 position for value in veterinary medicine this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the veterinary medicine program here. Early-career veterinary medicine graduates make about $96,842. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Oregon State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value veterinary medicine schools. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Students borrow a median of $24,043 to complete the veterinary medicine program here. Veterinary Medicine graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $105,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #21 among the best values for veterinary medicine. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete the veterinary medicine program here. Veterinary Medicine graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $90,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #22 spot for veterinary medicine value this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the veterinary medicine program here. Veterinary Medicine graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $94,962 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #23 among the best values for veterinary medicine. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for veterinary medicine graduates is $25,213. Soon after graduation, veterinary medicine degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $100,429. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #24 for value in veterinary medicine this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Veterinary Medicine graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, veterinary medicine degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $114,736. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #25 spot for veterinary medicine value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical student debt for veterinary medicine graduates is $23,393. Early-career veterinary medicine graduates make about $99,632. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Veterinary Medicine Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s veterinary medicine value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Veterinary Medicine](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-medicine/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong veterinary medicine education at a price that pays off.
