Top 20 Vet Schools In Texas (2026)

Texas offers a focused and growing landscape for veterinary education, featuring a premier doctoral program at Texas A&M University and a new fully accredited school at Texas Tech University. The state also provides a range of options for those seeking careers as licensed veterinary technicians, with programs at community colleges and four-year universities.

With a critical need for veterinary professionals in rural and regional communities, especially in large-animal practice, Texas schools are dedicated to training the next generation of veterinary leaders.

Top 20 Veterinary Schools In Texas

1. Texas A&M University – College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (College Station)

Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine is the premier veterinary school in Texas, ranked the No. 3 veterinary school in the U.S. and No. 5 in the world according to the current QS World University Rankings . The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program is one of the largest in the nation, accepting 180 students each year, and boasts a 96% pass rate on the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) for the Class of 2025. The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) is the state’s only veterinary medical teaching hospital, treating more than 26,000 cases annually.

Students gain unique clinical experience through rotations with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Veterinary Education, Research, & Outreach (VERO) program. With more than 9,230 graduates and a commitment to serving Texas, 80% of Aggie veterinarians remain in the state to practice.

2. Texas Tech University – School of Veterinary Medicine (Amarillo)

Texas Tech University’s School of Veterinary Medicine is a historic addition to Texas, earning full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education in October 2025. It is the first new veterinary school in Texas in over a century and now one of only 31 fully accredited veterinary schools in the U.S.

The inaugural class graduated in May 2025 with a 97% NAVLE pass rate, and 95% of graduates entered practices serving rural and regional communities, fulfilling the school’s mission to address veterinary workforce shortages. The 185,000-square-foot campus features world-class facilities, including interactive classrooms and state-of-the-art research laboratories.

3. Texas A&M University – VERO Program (Canyon)

The Veterinary Education, Research, & Outreach (VERO) program, located on the West Texas A&M University campus in Canyon, is a unique 2+2 DVM program offered through Texas A&M . This program allows up to 18 students to complete their first two years of veterinary medical education at VERO before joining their peers in College Station for their third and clinical years. VERO researchers address critical issues in the food animal industry, such as antimicrobial resistance and bovine respiratory disease.

4. Blinn College – Veterinary Technology Program (Bryan)

Blinn College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology, one of only 15 AVMA-accredited veterinary technology programs in Texas. The program prepares students to become fully credentialed licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs) and has a unique partnership with the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, allowing students to complete laboratories and clinicals at Texas A&M’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital .

Blinn offers both a traditional two-year program and a three-year hybrid program that includes synchronous online lectures and in-person labs. Each fall cohort accepts 16 students in the traditional program and 8 students in the hybrid program . Graduates earn a median salary of $45,980 per year.

5. Tyler Junior College – Veterinary Technology Program (Tyler)

Tyler Junior College offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology that prepares graduates to take both the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and the Texas jurisprudence exam to become licensed veterinary technicians.

The program provides students with the information, skills, and experience needed for careers in companion animal medicine, clinical practice, agriculture, public health, wildlife and zoo medicine, or biomedical research. The curriculum covers 44 major course credits including veterinary anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, radiology, and anesthesia, along with 16 general education credits.

6. Texas A&M University-Kingsville – Veterinary Technology Program (Kingsville)

Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s Veterinary Technology program is one of only 28 programs in the U.S. to offer a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in veterinary technology, and it is one of only two such programs in the state of Texas.

The program places a strong emphasis on large animals, wildlife, and lab animal expertise, meeting the future needs of animal care. With a cohort of only 30 students admitted each fall, the program offers small class sizes and individual attention in a state-of-the-art 10,000-square-foot teaching facility. Students have access to the university farm, wildlife center, and surrounding community ranches for hands-on experience.

7. Alamo Colleges District – Palo Alto College (San Antonio)

Palo Alto College, part of the Alamo Colleges District, offers a Veterinary Technology program leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program is designed to be completed in four semesters and prepares students for careers as licensed veterinary technicians. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and complete 80 hours of documented clinical experience.

8. Texas A&M University – Biomedical Sciences Program (College Station)

The VMBS houses one of the only undergraduate biomedical sciences (BIMS) programs in the U.S., which is the largest degree-granting undergraduate program at Texas A&M . With more than 2,200 enrolled students and 13,272 former students, the program emphasizes the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental health and prepares students for medical careers that impact all three. The major is also offered at the Higher Education Center in McAllen, where it is the largest undergraduate program.

9. Texas A&M University – Graduate Programs (College Station)

The VMBS offers graduate programs that prepare students for careers in research and academia, with opportunities to participate in research alongside faculty who receive millions of dollars in extramural funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and USDA. Programs such as the Veterinary Medical Scientist Research Training Program provide stipends to first- and second-year veterinary students for summer research.

10. Texas Tech University – Research Opportunities (Amarillo)

Texas Tech’s School of Veterinary Medicine is committed to research that supports the veterinary needs of rural and regional communities. Students have the opportunity to engage in collaborative, high-impact studies addressing pressing issues such as antimicrobial resistance and bovine respiratory disease. The school’s full accreditation confirms the quality of its research and educational programs .

11. West Texas A&M University – VERO Program Collaboration (Canyon)

West Texas A&M University hosts the Texas A&M VERO program on its campus, providing a unique collaborative environment for veterinary education. Students in the 2+2 DVM program complete their first two years in Canyon before transitioning to College Station.

12. Texas A&M University – Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (College Station)

The VMTH is the state’s only veterinary medical teaching hospital and serves as the clinical training ground for DVM students. With more than 26,000 cases each year across its small and large animal hospitals, students gain hands-on experience in all areas of veterinary medicine.

13. Texas A&M University – TDCJ Partnership

The VMBS has one of the longest-standing agreements between state agencies with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, allowing DVM students to gain hands-on experience in the care of more than 275,000 animals across 52 prison units.

14. Texas A&M University – VERO 2+2 Program (Canyon)

This program offers up to 18 students the opportunity to complete the first two years of their DVM education at the VERO facility in Canyon, with a focus on food animal medicine and large-animal practice.

15. Texas A&M University – Scholarship Opportunities

Texas A&M awarded $3.2 million in scholarships in 2024-2025, the fifth-highest among veterinary colleges in the U.S., demonstrating the university’s significant commitment to making veterinary education more affordable for its students. Aggie veterinarians graduate with an average of $64,000 less educational debt than the national average, a remarkable financial advantage that reflects the university’s dedication to accessible education in the veterinary field.

16. Texas A&M University – NAVLE Pass Rates

Texas A&M DVM students have achieved some of the highest pass rates in the nation on the NAVLE, with 96% of the Class of 2025 passing the exam, reflecting the program’s exceptional preparation for licensure and professional practice. This outstanding performance is a testament to the rigorous curriculum and clinical training provided by the College of Veterinary Medicine, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for successful careers in veterinary medicine.

17. Texas Tech University – Inaugural Class (Amarillo)

The inaugural class of 61 students graduated in May 2025, marking a milestone for the school and for veterinary education in Texas, as it was the first graduating class from the state’s newest veterinary college. The class achieved a 97% NAVLE pass rate, a remarkable achievement for a first graduating cohort that demonstrates the school’s commitment to academic excellence and student success from its very beginning.

18. Texas Tech University – Rural Practice Focus

95% of Texas Tech’s first graduating class entered veterinary practices in rural and regional communities, fulfilling the school’s mission to address workforce shortages in underserved areas across Texas. This exceptional outcome demonstrates the program’s effectiveness in training veterinarians for the types of communities that need them most, with a strong emphasis on large-animal and food animal medicine.

19. Texas Tech University – AVMA Accreditation

Texas Tech received full AVMA COE accreditation in October 2025, making it one of only 31 fully accredited veterinary schools in the U.S. and confirming that its program meets the highest standards of veterinary education nationwide. This accreditation ensures that Texas Tech graduates are eligible for licensure in all 50 states and territories, further expanding the career opportunities available to its students.

20. Texas A&M University – History and Legacy (College Station)

Established in 1916, the VMBS has graduated more than 9,230 veterinarians and has a 109-year history of excellence in veterinary education, making it one of the oldest and most respected veterinary schools in the country. This long tradition of producing highly skilled veterinarians has established Texas A&M as a leader in veterinary research, clinical care, and service to the state of Texas and beyond.

Comparison Table

Success Tips for Choosing a Veterinary School

Start by determining whether you want to pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or become a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). Texas offers top-tier DVM programs at Texas A&M and Texas Tech, with Texas A&M ranked #3 in the U.S. and Texas Tech newly accredited with a strong rural focus.

For veterinary technology, choose between a two-year associate degree at community colleges like Blinn or Tyler Junior College, or a four-year bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M-Kingsville, which offers a unique large-animal and wildlife focus.

Consider each program’s NAVLE or VTNE pass rates, clinical training opportunities, and commitment to serving underserved communities. Texas A&M DVM students have a 96% NAVLE pass rate, and Texas Tech graduates 95% of its veterinarians into rural practices.

If you are interested in food animal or large-animal medicine, the VERO program in Canyon offers a unique 2+2 DVM experience.

Closing

Texas offers a growing and distinguished landscape for veterinary education, anchored by the nationally and globally top-ranked program at Texas A&M University and the historic, newly accredited program at Texas Tech University. With a critical need for veterinarians and veterinary technicians in rural and regional communities, particularly in large-animal practice, the state’s programs are dedicated to training the next generation of veterinary leaders.

Note that all information, including rankings and program details, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each institution.