Purdue Veterinary Technology Program Ranked #1

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Technology Program has been ranked #1 in the nation in a listing of the Top 50 Veterinary Technician Programs for 2018 published by TheBestColleges.org.  The website says to determine the best veterinary technology programs, they looked at the factors important to prospective students, especially common predictors of future success and a school’s commitment to online programs.  “This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes,” the website states.

The Purdue University Veterinary Technology Program was recognized for offering on-campus education that includes hands-on experience working with animals and leads to the Bachelor of Science degree, the Associate of Applied Science degree, and provides a Bachelor of Science completion option.  The website also highlighted the Veterinary Technology Distance Learning program that offers the Associate of Applied Science degree and incorporates 27 didactic courses and 18 clinical mentorships.

Purdue Veterinary Technology Program Director Bianca Zenor (PU DVM 2001) said the #1 ranking represents an outstanding accomplishment. “We have a great team and they’ve worked hard to achieve this,” Dr. Zenor said.

The website says all of the data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.  Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the 50 best veterinary technician programs.  The website also states that, in calculating the rankings, they look at a school’s ranking when organized by a single factor, and then average each category’s ranking to find an overall score based on a formula in which the final score is equal to the admissions rate (20%) plus default rate (20%) plus retention rate (20%) plus graduation rate (20%) plus percent of students enrolled in online classes (20%).

The Purdue Veterinary Technology Program was established in 1975 and has graduated nearly 1,400 alumni, including nearly 900 Associate of Applied Science degree recipients, about 420 Bachelor of Science degree recipients, and 78 graduates of the Veterinary Technology Distance Learning program.  In the past year, 100% of the on-campus program graduates and nearly 90% of the Distance Learning program graduates achieved a passing score on the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), which is required in most states for a veterinary technician to be credentialed.  The Purdue program also is one of only four veterinary technology programs in the country housed at a college of veterinary medicine.

In addition to Purdue, the other top five veterinary technology programs in TheBestColleges.org ranking are at: the University of New Hampshire; the SUNY College of Technology at Alfred, N.Y.; the SUNY College of Technology at Delhi, N.Y.; and Johnson College in Scranton, Pa.  The website points out that figures from the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics show increasing demand for veterinary technicians and technologists, with employment expected to grow 20% over a ten year period ending in 2026.  Veterinary technicians and technologists work in such settings as private clinics and hospitals, laboratories, and zoos, assisting in the diagnosing of injuries and illnesses of animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Today we’re sending a big “High Five” to Emma Wood, who is a Medical Oncology Client Liaison and the Client Liaison Team Lead for the Purdue Small Animal Reception Team, for the supportive energy she brings to her work every day.

In Memory: Former Veterinary Medical Library Staff Member Tonya Mull 

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is saddened to learn that Tonya R. Mull of Lafayette, Indiana, who served as a longtime Purdue Libraries staff member, including multiple years as a staff member in the Veterinary Medical Library, passed away October 18 at Franciscan Health Lafayette East.  She was 59.

PVM Symposium Offers MOAAR Education on Medicine of Aquatics, Amphibians and Reptiles

Veterinary professionals and students gathered recently at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine to take advantage of a special opportunity to enhance their knowledge and expertise about the care and treatment of aquatic, amphibian, and reptilian species. The fifth biennial Medicine of Aquatics, Amphibians, and Reptiles (MOAAR) Symposium was held October 18–19, at Lynn Hall on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus, bringing together veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students, and experts dedicated to the care of exotic species.

Local Veterinary Celebration Highlights Global Veterinary Education

Going global is a popular ambition in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine as evidenced by the turnout for the college’s annual Global Engagement Fair last Friday, October 17. Held in the Veterinary Medical Library in Lynn Hall, the festive event featured international cuisine and displays about various study abroad opportunities available to Purdue DVM and Veterinary Technology students.