Which Veterinary Schools Are in Illinois?
Learn about veterinary schools in Illinois. See degree and specialization options, read program requirements and courses, and get career and salary info for the region. Schools offering Animal Care degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Career Info for Illinois Veterinary Programs
Veterinary care focuses on the medical treatment and health maintenance of animals. Your professional opportunities include veterinarian and veterinary technician; the latter assists with animal care under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the educational requirement for veterinarians is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD), whereas a veterinary technician usually needs an associate's degree or, less commonly, a bachelor's degree in veterinary technology. Illinois has schools that offer veterinary training for either profession. To practice as a veterinarian or vet technician, you'll be required to obtain a license through the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.
Salary and Job Outlook
In 2011, Illinois veterinarians earned an annual mean salary of approximately $87,000, while veterinary technicians made $29,000 during the same year, according to the BLS. The BLS also reported that nationally, employment of veterinarians is predicted to increase 36% between 2010 and 2020. Jobs for veterinary technicians are expected to increase 52% during the same period. Both these rates are much faster than the national average of 14% growth for all careers, due in part to advances in animal care, as well as the increasing popularity of pets.
Associate's Degree Programs in Illinois
Joliet Junior College
- Program Name: Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Medical Technology
- Program Length: 2 years
- Tuition: $3,090 per year, in-district; $8,285 per year, in-state; $9,035 per year, out-of-state (2011-2012)
- Program Prerequisites: Minimum 100 hours of vet-supervised work experience
- School Type: 2-year, public; about 15,300 undergraduate students
- Address: 1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, Illinois 60431-8938
- Phone: 815-280-2746
The associate's program at Joliet Junior College can prepare you for the national exam of the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) to become a registered vet technician. Coursework includes training with both large and small animals on clinical pathology, radiography, surgery, kennel management and veterinary anatomy. You'll also participate in supervised clinical rotations and externships to gain practical experience.
Rend Lake College
- Program Name: Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology
- Program Length: 2 years
- Tuition: $2,790 per year, in-district; $4,275 per year, in-state; $4,800 per year, out-of-state (2011-2012)
- School Type: 2-year, public; nearly 4,950 undergraduate students
- Address: 468 N Ken Gray Pky, Ina, Illinois 62846
- Phone: 618-437-5321
Rend Lake College's program covers topics such as small and large animal physiology and nutrition, as well as surgery techniques and nursing protocols. Hands-on practical work experience is provided through clinical rotations at local vet facilities. Upon completion of the program, you'll be eligible to take AAVSB's national exam and apply for licensure as a Certified Veterinary Technician.
Shawnee Community College
- Program Name: Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology
- Program Length: 2 years
- Tuition: $2,760 per year, in-district; $4,140 per year, in-state; $4,620, out-of-state (2011-2012)
- Program Prerequisites: 2 years high school biology or basic college biology course
- School Type: 2-year, public; about 2,200 undergraduate students
- Address: 8364 Shawnee College Rd, Ullin, Illinois 62992
- Phone: 800-481-2242 ext. 3203
Through Shawnee Community College's program, you'll receive training on the clinical and technical, as well as administrative, aspects of the veterinary profession. Topics cover animal physiology and anatomy, vet practice management, pharmacology and surgical technology. You'll also gain clinical experience through labs and work outside the classroom. When you've completed your degree, you'll be ready to take the national exam and become licensed.
Bachelor's Degree Programs in Illinois
Saint Xavier University
- Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry - Pre-Professional Veterinary Medicine
- Program Length: 4 years
- Tuition: $27,060 per year for undergraduate students (2011-2012)
- School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; around 3,000 undergraduate students and 1,700 graduate students
- Address: 3700 W 103rd St, Chicago, Illinois 60655
- Phone: (773) 298-3000
Saint Xavier University's (SXU) pre-professional program in chemistry is designed to prepare students for medical school, including veterinary school. The chemistry major features intensive studies in chemistry, biology, math and physics and, with their advisors' help, students also select other science courses that will help them qualify for veterinary school. SXU offers the latest chemistry lab facilities with technologies that range from high performance liquid chromatography to atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
Doctoral Degree Programs in Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Program Name: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
- Program Length: 4 years
- Tuition: $24,740 per year, resident; $41,204 per year, non-resident (2012-2013)
- Program Prerequisites: BS or BA degree with specified coursework; non-degreed with specified coursework/number of coursework hours
- School Type: 4-year, public; about 32,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 graduate students
- Address: College of Veterinary Medicine, 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61802
- Phone: (217) 265-0380
This 4-year program provides you with instruction on animal structure, function, pathology, medicine and surgery, as well as substantial time in clinical practice rotations. The final part of the program allows for clinical focus on the species and/or discipline most of interest to you. If you are drawn to veterinary public health work, the University also offers a 5-year dual program through which you can earn DVM and Masters of Public Health degrees simultaneously.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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