Credible takeaways
- A career as a veterinarian will take you about 8 years of school, with in-state veterinary school tuition averaging around $200,000 and out-of-state tuition about $275,000.
- Students can pay for vet school through multiple sources, including federal aid, scholarships, grants, and private student loans.
- Tuition costs depend on state residency, school type, and living expenses, like housing and transportation.
Deciding to become a practicing veterinarian is a rewarding career for anyone who's passionate about animals and their health, but it comes with a significant financial investment. From tuition and fees to living expenses and supplies, the cost of attending veterinary school can be substantial.
Completing the vet course requirements takes roughly eight years, starting with a bachelor's degree, which takes about four years. After that, vet students must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, which requires another four years of school. Some may also choose to pursue internships or residencies in a specialty field, adding one to four more years, depending on the specialty.
Whether you're planning ahead or ready to apply, understanding the true price tag of getting a DVM degree is important for making informed decisions. We're breaking down the average costs, key financial considerations, best student loans, and options to help manage expenses on your road to becoming a professional vet.
How much is vet school?
The average cost of vet school for in-state residents has risen to $200,000, while students at out-of-state schools can expect to pay an average of $275,000, according to the Veterinary Information Network Foundation. Because of the high cost of this long education period, you'll likely need to rely on a variety of funding sources to cover expenses, like student loans, as well as any scholarships and grants you can qualify for.
Vet school costs
There are several factors that can impact how much a vet school costs, including:
- Tuition: In most cases, you'll pay much less in tuition and fees to attend an in-state school as a resident than you would at an out-of-state school. However, some out-of-state schools will allow you to apply for residency after a certain amount of time.
- School type: Public schools typically charge much less compared to private schools. This is because public schools rely on federal, state, and local funding, while private schools are privately funded.
- Living expenses: Your cost of living will vary depending on where you go to school and can include expenses like housing (on or off campus), meal plans, and transportation.
- Health insurance: Most vet schools require health insurance coverage or the equivalent outside the university. For example, the cost of health insurance through North Carolina State University during the 2023-24 academic year was $2,784.80, while health insurance through UC Davis is $7,992 a year for the 2025-26 school year.
“I recommend applying to in-state veterinary programs when possible, since tuition is often more affordable than out-of-state schools. Some schools also reserve financial aid specifically for in-state residents.”
— Renee Fleck, Student Loans Editor, Credible
Cheapest vet schools
Midwestern University is one of the most expensive schools to attend during the 2024-25 academic year, with an average cost of attendance (COA) around $446,413 for Arizona residents and non-residents. Purdue University has the lowest overall tuition costs for state residents, while Texas Tech University has the second lowest for non-residents.
To give you an idea of the range of vet school costs, here are some of the least expensive vet schools, according to the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC):
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Mississippi State University | | |
North Carolina State University | | |
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Oklahoma State University | | |
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Washington State University | | |
Source: Vet School Bound Cost of Education Toolkit
Best vet schools in the US
Colleges require veterinary students to have health insurance. Students can get this through the school or by providing proof of coverage elsewhere. Here are some accredited veterinary schools in the U.S., along with their tuition and total COA:
Colorado State University
The COA for Colorado residents is around $68,743 for 2024-25, and for non-residents, it's $92,708. Both must pay $3,866 for health insurance.
Cornell University
To attend vet school at Cornell during the 2025-26 academic year, the COA for New York residents is $73,012, and for non-resident students, it's $96,268. Tuition rates and COA change every academic year.
North Carolina State University
For the 2025-26 academic year, NC State has different rates for their COA depending on whether you live on or off campus, live with your parents or relatives, or live with dependents. The chart below represents the estimated annual expenses for full-time DVM students who live off campus:
Source: NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine
Ohio State University
During the 2024-25 year, the COA for the veterinary program for Ohio residents is $261,485, and the total COA for non-residents is $308,345.
Texas A&M University
The School of Veterinary Medicine COA changes annually at Texas A&M and depends on which location you attend.
Source: Texas A&M tuition calculator and cost of attendance
University of California-Davis
In addition to the cost of tuition, every UC Davis student is required to have health insurance. For veterinary students, the cost is $7,992 a year for the 2025-26 academic year. You can opt out as long as you have comparable insurance.
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania's COA includes a mandatory health insurance cost of $4,412 during the 2024-25 academic year.
How to pay for vet school
If you're ready to figure out how to pay for vet school, follow these four steps:
1. Apply for scholarships and grants
Unlike student loans, college scholarships and grants don't have to be repaid - which makes them a great way to pay for school. There's no limit to how many scholarships and grants you can get, so it's a good idea to apply for as many as you can.
Many scholarships and grants are specifically designed for veterinary students, such as the:
- American Kennel Club (AKC) Veterinary Outreach Scholarships: For vet students who have participated in AKC events and programs; depending on the sponsor, students might be awarded up to $10,000
- Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program: Awards $5,000 scholarships to second- and third-year vet students with financial need
- The American Veterinary Medical Foundation scholarships: Offers a list of available scholarships and requirements for vet students
2. Fill out the FAFSA
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the deadline. For the 2025-26 academic year, you have until June 30, 2026. Your school will use your FAFSA results to determine what federal student loans and other financial aid you qualify for. Keep in mind that some aid is given on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's a good idea to submit the FAFSA as early as possible.
You might also qualify for school-based scholarships depending on your FAFSA results.
3. Get a job or qualify for a work-study program
Working during school could help you cover some of your school expenses. If you have financial need, you might qualify for the federal work-study program, which provides part-time jobs for college students.
These jobs are often on campus, though in some cases, you might work for a private nonprofit or for-profit employer that has partnered with your school.
4. Apply for federal student loans
If you need to borrow for school, it's usually best to rely on federal student loans first. This is because these loans come with federal benefits and protections, such as access to income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness programs.
There are two main types of federal student loans that vet school students might qualify for:
- Direct Unsubsidized loans: These loans are available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students regardless of financial need. Unlike undergraduate subsidized loans, you're responsible for all of the interest that accrues on unsubsidized loans.
- Grad PLUS loans: These loans are available to students who want to pay for grad school or a professional program. Keep in mind, grad PLUS loans usually come with higher interest rates than other federal loans. They also require a credit check.
After you submit the FAFSA, your school will send you a financial aid award letter detailing what federal student loans and other financial aid you're eligible for. You can then decide which aid you'd like to accept.
5. Apply for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program
Check into the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) after graduation. It's a federal program designed to help with a national shortage of veterinarians in rural and agricultural areas. Specialized vets focus on food animals, like cows, pigs, sheep, and poultry.
The VMLRP offers up to $40,000 per year toward eligible government and commercial student loan repayment to eligible veterinarians in return for their service in high-priority veterinary shortages for three years. These are the requirements:
- Have at least $15,000 in qualified veterinary educational loan debt
- Hold a DVM (or equivalent) from an accredited school
- Start within 90 days of award notification in a designated veterinary shortage situation
- Meet all other requirements and regulations
6. Private loans for vet school
After you've exhausted your scholarship, grant, and federal student loan options, private student loans could help fill any financial gaps left over. While these loans don't come with federal protections, they do offer some benefits of their own - for example, you can apply at any time, and you might be able to borrow more than you'd get with a federal loan.
Advertiser Disclosure$1,000 to $99,999 annually $180,000 aggregate limit)
Overview
Abe's private student loans are available to undergraduates, graduate students, and students in certificate programs. The lender is unique in allowing you to borrow even if you're enrolled less than half-time.
Abe offers rate discounts and payment relief that other lenders don't, such as a reduction in your rate with autopay and for every six months of on-time payments, up to a total of 0.50 percentage points. Borrowers can also extend their grace period up to an additional six months. Plus, you can lengthen your repayment term by five years, which can be helpful if you need to lower your monthly payments or request a hardship forbearance for 12 months.
pros
- Offers 2% loan reduction after graduation
- Doesn’t charge late fees
- Can reduce interest rate by making on-time payments
- Possible repayment term and grace period extension
cons
- Doesn’t offer parent loans
- Relatively low borrowing limit of $99,999 per year
Minimum income
$1 (must have positive income)
Loan terms
5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years
Loan amounts
$1,000 to $99,999 per year (lifetime limit of $225,000)
Cosigner release
After 12 months of on-time principal and interest payments
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Available to non-U.S. citizen students (including DACA students) attending a school in the U.S. who apply with a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien. Loans not available to permanent residents of West Virginia.
Overview
While Ascent provides traditional student loans for undergraduate, graduate, and medical programs, it also stands out with some options that are uncommon among private student loan lenders. For example, its Outcomes-Based Loan, which doesn't require established credit or a cosigner, is available to juniors and seniors. When assessing your application, Ascent considers factors including your school, major, and GPA to determine if you're eligible.
Ascent also offers its Progressive Repayment plan to qualified borrowers. It allows you to begin with smaller payments at the start of the repayment term and then gradually pay more each month over time. If you borrow with a cosigner, they can be released after you make as few as 12 monthly payments. However, cosigners on loans for international students do not qualify.
pros
- Doesn’t charge application fees or origination fees
- Offers discounts of 0.25 to 1 percentage points when using automatic payment
- Can get a 1% cash-back reward after you graduate
- Grace periods from 9 to 36 months
cons
- May find lower interest rates with some competitors
- International students don’t have option to release cosigners
Loan terms
5, 7, 10, 12, 15, or 20 years
Loan amounts
$2,001 minimum up to your school’s annual cost of attendance; lifetime limits of $200,000 for undergrads and $400,000 for graduates
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or DACA student enrolled at least half time at an eligible institution. International students with a qualified cosigner may also qualify. Applicants who can’t meet financial, credit, or other requirements may qualify with a cosigner.
$1,000 to $400,000 (depending on degree)
Overview
Citizens Bank offers private student loans for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as parents. With its multiyear approval option, you can apply for a loan once, and as long as you qualify, you won't need to reapply each year. This means you can secure loans for future academic years without multiple hard credit checks.
Citizens borrowers can also take advantage of interest rate discounts. If you or your cosigner has an account with Citizens Bank, you can reduce your rate by 0.25 percentage points. Another 0.25 percentage points can be shaved off by enrolling in automatic payments, giving you the chance to lower your rate by up to 0.5 percentage points.
pros
- Multiyear approval lets you secure funding for future school years
- You can reduce your rate by 0.5 percentage points with autopay and loyalty discounts
- International students can apply with a qualified cosigner
cons
- Fewer repayment terms to choose from than some other lenders
- Long wait time for cosigner release
- Parents can’t defer payments while student is in school
Loan terms
5, 10, or 15 years for student loans; 5 or 10 years for parent loans
Loan amounts
$1,000 minimum, up to a maximum of $225,000 for undergraduate and graduate degrees; $300,000 for MBA and law; and $225,000 or $400,000 for health care student loans, depending on the degree type
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident enrolled at least half-time in a degree-granting program at an eligible institution. International students can apply with a cosigner who’s a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
$1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance
Overview
College Ave offers student loans for almost every type of degree program, with a range of repayment options, including a unique eight-year repayment term. Additionally, you can get extended grace periods of as long as 36 months on graduate, dental, and medical student loans.
About 90% of undergraduates applying with a cosigner are approved for additional student loans. However, you must complete at least half of your repayment term before you can remove a cosigner for your loan. Some lenders allow cosigners to be released much sooner, after as few as one to two years of payments.
pros
- Rate discount of one-quarter of a percentage point for using autopay
- Does not charge origination or application fees
- Grace periods between 9 and 36 months for graduate, MBA, law, dental, and medical school loans and 36 months
cons
- Parents borrowers are required to pay at least the interest while the student is in school
- Cosigners not eligible for release until at least half the repayment term of the loan is completed
Loan terms
5, 8, 10, or 15 years for most borrowers (law, dental, medical, and other health profession students have up to 20 years)
Loan amounts
$1,000 minimum up to your school’s annual cost of attendance; lifetime limits depend on your degree and credit profile
Cosigner release
Available after more than half of the scheduled repayment period has elapsed and other requirements are met
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at an eligible institution. International students with a Social Security number and a qualified cosigner may also qualify. Applicants who can’t meet financial, credit, or other requirements may qualify with a cosigner.
$1,000 up to cost of attendance
Overview
ELFI a division of Tennessee-based SouthEast Bank, offers private student loans and refinancing for undergraduates, graduates, and parents. Borrowers can take out loans starting at $1,000, with options up to the full cost of attendance at their school.
ELFI student loans are available to students nationwide who are enrolled in a bachelor's degree program or higher. Borrowers can choose from multiple repayment terms and benefit from competitive interest rates and support from a dedicated Student Loan Advisor. However, ELFI doesn't offer cosigner release or rate discounts, which may limit flexibility for some borrowers.
pros
- Receive support from a dedicated Student Loan Advisor
- Transparent credit and income requirements
- Doesn't require full-time enrollment
- Flexible repayment terms
cons
- Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program or higher
- Cosigners can’t be released from the loan
- No autopay rate discounts available
Loan amounts
$1,000 - Cost of attendance
Cosigner release
A cosigner may not be taken off a loan, but the borrower can apply for a new loan without their cosigner.
Eligibility
All 50 states as well as Washington DC and Puerto Rico.
Overview
Nelnet Bank (Member FDIC) provides private student loans at competitive rates for undergraduate, graduate, and health professional degrees. You'll need a FICO credit score in the mid to high 600s to qualify. Borrowers with bad credit can apply with a cosigner, which may help them qualify and could reduce their interest rate.
Cosigners on Nelnet student loans can be released after 24 consecutive on-time payments (see disclaimer). You can also get a 0.25% interest rate reduction when you sign up for automatic payments (see disclaimer). There are no loan origination or application fees, but Nelnet does charge fees for late payments of insufficient funds.
pros
- Rates are competitive for borrowers or cosigners with strong credit
- Rate discount of 0.25 percentage points for autopay
- Cosigners can be released after 24 on-time payments
- Offers deferment and payment assistance programs
cons
- Charges fees for late payment and insufficient funds
- Doesn’t guarantee deferment and forbearance options
Loan terms
5,10,15* (IO, Deferred, Immediate)
Loan amounts
$1,000 to $125,000 for undergraduate, $1,000 to $175,000 for graduate, $1,000 to $500,000 for graduate health professions
Eligibility
All states and US Territories
$1,000 up to 100% of school-certified cost of attendance
Overview
Sallie Mae offers the Smart Option Student Loan for undergraduate students and a suite of loans for graduate students. You can borrow up to your school-certified cost of attendance and apply just once annually to get the funds you need for the entire academic year. Plus, applying for a Smart Option Student Loan with a cosigner may help you get a better rate.
Through Sallie Mae, you can find a variety of loans designed for specific needs, including loans for MBA programs, law school, medical school, and health profession programs.
pros
- Can borrow up to school-certified cost of attendance
- No prepayment or origination fees
- Loans available to noncitizens with an eligible cosigner
- Cosigner release after 12 on-time payments
cons
- No parent loan options
- No option to check your rates through prequalification
- Loan terms not disclosed until after you apply
Loan terms
10 to 15 years for the Smart Option Student Loan; 15 years for law school, MBA, and graduate school loans; 20 years for medical school loans
Loan amounts
$1,000 up to school-certified cost of attendance. Student must be listed as the borrower, and a parent may cosign.
Cosigner release
After you graduate, make 12 one-time principal and interest payments, and meet certain credit requirements
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident enrolled in an eligible program. Noncitizens residing and attending school in the U.S. may qualify by applying with a creditworthy cosigner, who must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and providing an unexpired government-issued photo ID.
Overview
SoFi offers fixed- and variable-rate student loans to help undergraduate, graduate, and professional students and parents of students finance their education. These loans can cover up to the total cost of attendance, with a minimum loan of $1,000. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking or graduate-certificate program at an eligible school and a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or non-permanent resident alien.
SoFi has multiple repayment plans, allowing students to pick terms that best fit their financial situations, with cosigner release after 24 months of consecutive on time payments. Cosigners in Colorado, Connecticut, and Maine are eligible for release after 12 months. Borrowers can choose between fixed and variable rates, with the option to reduce rates by 0.25% when enrolling in automatic payments. They can also qualify for a 0.125% interest rate discount on subsequent loans with SoFi's Continuing Scholar Discount. Plus, a $250 cash bonus with a 3.0 GPA or higher for full-year loans or $100 cash back for single-semester loans.
pros
- Top customer service ratings
- Valuable member benefits
- No fees required policy
cons
- No disclosed credit or income requirements
- Shorter repayment terms than some lenders
- Cosigner release requires 2 years of on-time payments
Loan amounts
$1,000 minimum up to your school’s annual cost of attendance
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or DACA student enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution. International students with a qualified cosigner may also qualify. Applicants who can’t meet financial, credit, or other requirements may be eligible with a cosigner.
Loan Amounts
$1,000 to $99,999 annually $180,000 aggregate limit)
Overview
Abe's private student loans are available to undergraduates, graduate students, and students in certificate programs. The lender is unique in allowing you to borrow even if you're enrolled less than half-time.
Abe offers rate discounts and payment relief that other lenders don't, such as a reduction in your rate with autopay and for every six months of on-time payments, up to a total of 0.50 percentage points. Borrowers can also extend their grace period up to an additional six months. Plus, you can lengthen your repayment term by five years, which can be helpful if you need to lower your monthly payments or request a hardship forbearance for 12 months.
pros
- Offers 2% loan reduction after graduation
- Doesn’t charge late fees
- Can reduce interest rate by making on-time payments
- Possible repayment term and grace period extension
cons
- Doesn’t offer parent loans
- Relatively low borrowing limit of $99,999 per year
Minimum income
$1 (must have positive income)
Loan terms
5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years
Loan amounts
$1,000 to $99,999 per year (lifetime limit of $225,000)
Cosigner release
After 12 months of on-time principal and interest payments
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Available to non-U.S. citizen students (including DACA students) attending a school in the U.S. who apply with a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien. Loans not available to permanent residents of West Virginia.
Overview
While Ascent provides traditional student loans for undergraduate, graduate, and medical programs, it also stands out with some options that are uncommon among private student loan lenders. For example, its Outcomes-Based Loan, which doesn't require established credit or a cosigner, is available to juniors and seniors. When assessing your application, Ascent considers factors including your school, major, and GPA to determine if you're eligible.
Ascent also offers its Progressive Repayment plan to qualified borrowers. It allows you to begin with smaller payments at the start of the repayment term and then gradually pay more each month over time. If you borrow with a cosigner, they can be released after you make as few as 12 monthly payments. However, cosigners on loans for international students do not qualify.
pros
- Doesn’t charge application fees or origination fees
- Offers discounts of 0.25 to 1 percentage points when using automatic payment
- Can get a 1% cash-back reward after you graduate
- Grace periods from 9 to 36 months
cons
- May find lower interest rates with some competitors
- International students don’t have option to release cosigners
Loan terms
5, 7, 10, 12, 15, or 20 years
Loan amounts
$2,001 minimum up to your school’s annual cost of attendance; lifetime limits of $200,000 for undergrads and $400,000 for graduates
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or DACA student enrolled at least half time at an eligible institution. International students with a qualified cosigner may also qualify. Applicants who can’t meet financial, credit, or other requirements may qualify with a cosigner.
Loan Amounts
$1,000 to $400,000 (depending on degree)
Overview
Citizens Bank offers private student loans for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as parents. With its multiyear approval option, you can apply for a loan once, and as long as you qualify, you won't need to reapply each year. This means you can secure loans for future academic years without multiple hard credit checks.
Citizens borrowers can also take advantage of interest rate discounts. If you or your cosigner has an account with Citizens Bank, you can reduce your rate by 0.25 percentage points. Another 0.25 percentage points can be shaved off by enrolling in automatic payments, giving you the chance to lower your rate by up to 0.5 percentage points.
pros
- Multiyear approval lets you secure funding for future school years
- You can reduce your rate by 0.5 percentage points with autopay and loyalty discounts
- International students can apply with a qualified cosigner
cons
- Fewer repayment terms to choose from than some other lenders
- Long wait time for cosigner release
- Parents can’t defer payments while student is in school
Loan terms
5, 10, or 15 years for student loans; 5 or 10 years for parent loans
Loan amounts
$1,000 minimum, up to a maximum of $225,000 for undergraduate and graduate degrees; $300,000 for MBA and law; and $225,000 or $400,000 for health care student loans, depending on the degree type
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident enrolled at least half-time in a degree-granting program at an eligible institution. International students can apply with a cosigner who’s a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Loan Amounts
$1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance
Overview
College Ave offers student loans for almost every type of degree program, with a range of repayment options, including a unique eight-year repayment term. Additionally, you can get extended grace periods of as long as 36 months on graduate, dental, and medical student loans.
About 90% of undergraduates applying with a cosigner are approved for additional student loans. However, you must complete at least half of your repayment term before you can remove a cosigner for your loan. Some lenders allow cosigners to be released much sooner, after as few as one to two years of payments.
pros
- Rate discount of one-quarter of a percentage point for using autopay
- Does not charge origination or application fees
- Grace periods between 9 and 36 months for graduate, MBA, law, dental, and medical school loans and 36 months
cons
- Parents borrowers are required to pay at least the interest while the student is in school
- Cosigners not eligible for release until at least half the repayment term of the loan is completed
Loan terms
5, 8, 10, or 15 years for most borrowers (law, dental, medical, and other health profession students have up to 20 years)
Loan amounts
$1,000 minimum up to your school’s annual cost of attendance; lifetime limits depend on your degree and credit profile
Cosigner release
Available after more than half of the scheduled repayment period has elapsed and other requirements are met
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at an eligible institution. International students with a Social Security number and a qualified cosigner may also qualify. Applicants who can’t meet financial, credit, or other requirements may qualify with a cosigner.
Loan Amounts
$1,000 up to cost of attendance
Overview
ELFI a division of Tennessee-based SouthEast Bank, offers private student loans and refinancing for undergraduates, graduates, and parents. Borrowers can take out loans starting at $1,000, with options up to the full cost of attendance at their school.
ELFI student loans are available to students nationwide who are enrolled in a bachelor's degree program or higher. Borrowers can choose from multiple repayment terms and benefit from competitive interest rates and support from a dedicated Student Loan Advisor. However, ELFI doesn't offer cosigner release or rate discounts, which may limit flexibility for some borrowers.
pros
- Receive support from a dedicated Student Loan Advisor
- Transparent credit and income requirements
- Doesn't require full-time enrollment
- Flexible repayment terms
cons
- Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program or higher
- Cosigners can’t be released from the loan
- No autopay rate discounts available
Loan amounts
$1,000 - Cost of attendance
Cosigner release
A cosigner may not be taken off a loan, but the borrower can apply for a new loan without their cosigner.
Eligibility
All 50 states as well as Washington DC and Puerto Rico.
Overview
Nelnet Bank (Member FDIC) provides private student loans at competitive rates for undergraduate, graduate, and health professional degrees. You'll need a FICO credit score in the mid to high 600s to qualify. Borrowers with bad credit can apply with a cosigner, which may help them qualify and could reduce their interest rate.
Cosigners on Nelnet student loans can be released after 24 consecutive on-time payments (see disclaimer). You can also get a 0.25% interest rate reduction when you sign up for automatic payments (see disclaimer). There are no loan origination or application fees, but Nelnet does charge fees for late payments of insufficient funds.
pros
- Rates are competitive for borrowers or cosigners with strong credit
- Rate discount of 0.25 percentage points for autopay
- Cosigners can be released after 24 on-time payments
- Offers deferment and payment assistance programs
cons
- Charges fees for late payment and insufficient funds
- Doesn’t guarantee deferment and forbearance options
Loan terms
5,10,15* (IO, Deferred, Immediate)
Loan amounts
$1,000 to $125,000 for undergraduate, $1,000 to $175,000 for graduate, $1,000 to $500,000 for graduate health professions
Eligibility
All states and US Territories
Loan Amounts
$1,000 up to 100% of school-certified cost of attendance
Overview
Sallie Mae offers the Smart Option Student Loan for undergraduate students and a suite of loans for graduate students. You can borrow up to your school-certified cost of attendance and apply just once annually to get the funds you need for the entire academic year. Plus, applying for a Smart Option Student Loan with a cosigner may help you get a better rate.
Through Sallie Mae, you can find a variety of loans designed for specific needs, including loans for MBA programs, law school, medical school, and health profession programs.
pros
- Can borrow up to school-certified cost of attendance
- No prepayment or origination fees
- Loans available to noncitizens with an eligible cosigner
- Cosigner release after 12 on-time payments
cons
- No parent loan options
- No option to check your rates through prequalification
- Loan terms not disclosed until after you apply
Loan terms
10 to 15 years for the Smart Option Student Loan; 15 years for law school, MBA, and graduate school loans; 20 years for medical school loans
Loan amounts
$1,000 up to school-certified cost of attendance. Student must be listed as the borrower, and a parent may cosign.
Cosigner release
After you graduate, make 12 one-time principal and interest payments, and meet certain credit requirements
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident enrolled in an eligible program. Noncitizens residing and attending school in the U.S. may qualify by applying with a creditworthy cosigner, who must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and providing an unexpired government-issued photo ID.
Overview
SoFi offers fixed- and variable-rate student loans to help undergraduate, graduate, and professional students and parents of students finance their education. These loans can cover up to the total cost of attendance, with a minimum loan of $1,000. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking or graduate-certificate program at an eligible school and a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or non-permanent resident alien.
SoFi has multiple repayment plans, allowing students to pick terms that best fit their financial situations, with cosigner release after 24 months of consecutive on time payments. Cosigners in Colorado, Connecticut, and Maine are eligible for release after 12 months. Borrowers can choose between fixed and variable rates, with the option to reduce rates by 0.25% when enrolling in automatic payments. They can also qualify for a 0.125% interest rate discount on subsequent loans with SoFi's Continuing Scholar Discount. Plus, a $250 cash bonus with a 3.0 GPA or higher for full-year loans or $100 cash back for single-semester loans.
pros
- Top customer service ratings
- Valuable member benefits
- No fees required policy
cons
- No disclosed credit or income requirements
- Shorter repayment terms than some lenders
- Cosigner release requires 2 years of on-time payments
Loan amounts
$1,000 minimum up to your school’s annual cost of attendance
Eligibility
Must be a U.S. citizen or DACA student enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution. International students with a qualified cosigner may also qualify. Applicants who can’t meet financial, credit, or other requirements may be eligible with a cosigner.
You'll typically need good to excellent credit to qualify for a private student loan — a good credit score is usually considered to be 700 or higher. There are also some lenders that offer student loans for bad credit, but these loans usually come with higher interest rates compared to good credit loans.
If you're struggling to get approved, consider applying with a creditworthy cosigner to improve your chances. Even if you don't need a cosigner to qualify, having one could get you a lower interest rate than you'd get on your own.
Is it worth it to go to vet school?
As of 2024, the median salary for veterinarians is $125,510, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you're thinking about taking out student loans to pay for vet school, make sure to consider how much you could potentially earn once you enter the workforce and whether your future loan payments will be affordable.
The less you borrow in student loans, the better the return on investment will be for your vet schooling — so be careful to borrow only what you need.
If you decide to get a private student loan, remember to consider as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for you.
FAQ
How much does vet school cost in the US?
Open
The average cost of vet school for in-state residents at public schools is around $200,000, while students at out-of-state schools can expect to pay an average of $275,000, according to the Veterinary Information Network Foundation.
How long is veterinary school?
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To become a veterinarian, you'll typically need to complete a bachelor's degree before earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree — in total, this usually takes about eight years.
Is vet school cheaper than med school?
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The cost of veterinary school is usually less expensive than medical school, which was around $238,420 in 2024, but the costs for each can vary widely based on factors including residency, school type, living expenses, and more.
What is the average salary for a veterinarian in the US?
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The average salary for a veterinarian in 2024 is $125,510, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries can range from 72,360 on the low end to as much as $201,440 on the higher end.
Meet the expert:
Kathryn Pomroy
Kathryn Pomroy is a personal finance writer with over seven years of experience. Her work has been featured by GOBankingRates, MSN, Kiplinger, and Fox Business.
