About This Degree

Most veterinarians work with pets—mainly dogs, cats, and birds.  Some veterinarians, however, treat farm, zoo, or circus animals. 

Veterinarians diagnose medical problems, dress wounds, and set broken bones.  They also perform surgery, prescribe medicines, and vaccinate animals against disease.  Vets counsel owners about the care and feeding of animals and advise large animal owners about breeding.  Livestock inspectors even test for disease and advise owners on special treatments.

If this is a career field that interests you, now is the time to select a school that will help you lay a strong foundation for post-graduate study.  It’s a very competitive market, so your choice must provide every possible advantage.

The Next Step

Most graduates of VU’s Pre-Veterinary program transfer to Purdue University.  Many others, however, transfer successfully to other four-year institutions, including the University of Illinois.

Career Outcomes

The career prospects for veterinarians in the next 7 years looks very rosy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the job outlook to grow at a rate much faster than average with a median salary for veterinarians at about $90,000.