How To Get Student Loans for Veterinary Technician School in 2025

The veterinary technician field offers many opportunities for those with a passion for animals. Employment in vet tech positions is expected to jump 19% by 2033 — significantly more than the 4% average forecast for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Becoming a vet tech requires a certain level of education, though, and depending on your financial situation, you may need help paying for it.

Here's what you need to know about student loans for veterinary technician school.

Current private student loan rates

Can you get student loans for veterinary technician school?

Whether or not you can use federal student aid depends on the school you choose.

If it's an accredited Title IV school, it should qualify for federal loans, grants, and the work-study program. If it's not — or if federal aid isn't enough to cover your full costs — private student loans are another option.

What level of education do I need to become a vet tech?

You'll typically need an associate degree from a program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) to become a veterinary technician. You can also get a four-year bachelor's degree at many institutions.

The cost of these programs can vary widely, but “the majority” need financial assistance, according to Myranda Jennings, a registered veterinary technician and president of the Indiana Veterinary Technician Association.

A 2024 survey from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) found that nearly 1 in 3 veterinary technicians carry student loan debt, averaging $23,774 in debt per person.

“Many are adult learners or career-changers with limited financial resources,” Jennings says. “The rising cost of living and relatively modest starting salaries in the profession also contribute to financial challenges for these students, both during and after school.”

Federal student loans for veterinary technician programs

If you're attending a Title IV school, start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online.

With the FAFSA, you can apply for multiple forms of aid, including:

• Direct Subsidized Loans: These loans offer an interest subsidy while you're in school at least half-time, and during your 6-month grace period. You must be an undergraduate student who demonstrates financial need to qualify.
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans: These loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. They're not need-based.
• Direct PLUS Loans: Graduate students and parents of dependent undergraduate students can take out PLUS loans. You can borrow up to your school's cost of attendance, minus other aid you've received.
• Pell Grants: These need-based grants are for undergraduate students and don't need to be repaid. The maximum award is $7,395 for the 2025-26 school year.

Private student loans for vet tech school

Private student loans can also help you pay for vet tech school. You can get these loans from private lenders, and some — including Ascent, College Ave, and Sallie Mae — offer loans designed specifically for vocational and associate degree programs.

When getting a private student loan, make sure to compare options from several lenders, and consider the following factors:

• Interest rates, particularly whether they are fixed (consistent for the entire loan term) or variable (they can change over time)
• Hardship options (like deferment and forbearance), as these can protect you if you fall on hard times after graduation
• Loan term options (such as 5, 10, or 15 years) and how those fit into your post-graduation plans
• Repayment plans, including any payment grace periods they may offer during school and just after graduating
• Cosigner requirements, including whether cosigners can be released from the loan at a later date

Keep in mind that your credit score will impact your ability to qualify for private loans, as well as the interest rate you receive. If you have a low credit score or thin credit, you may need to add a cosigner to your application.

Other ways to pay for veterinary technician school

Student loans aren't your only option to finance vet tech school.

You can also explore:

• Scholarships and grants: These are financial aid awards that don't need to be repaid. They're often offered by local veterinary associations, state programs, and individual schools. Industry organizations like the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, the Banfield Foundation, and Zoetis Foundation/American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges also offer scholarship and grant programs.
• Employer tuition assistance: If you're already employed by an animal clinic, hospital, or veterinary office, your employer may offer tuition assistance or reimbursement for certain educational costs.
• Workforce development grants: These are sometimes available through state labor departments or local job centers.

Smart borrowing tips for vet tech students

If you need to borrow money to pay for veterinary tech school, do so carefully. Choose your program wisely, and estimate your costs as accurately as possible. This will help you minimize the amount you borrow and the interest you pay in the long run.

You should also:

• Opt for grants, scholarships, and federal aid first: Free aid should be your first line of defense, followed by federal student loans, which typically come at a lower cost and with more borrower protections than private loans.
• Compare lenders: If you're using private loans, your costs can vary a lot depending on the lender you choose. You should always shop around and compare fees, rates, and factors like discounts before deciding where to get your loan. Make sure to consider things like repayment flexibility and any ancillary services the lender offers, like career support or placement.
• Consider your future earnings: The median salary for a vet tech is $45,980, so keep this in mind as you choose your program and financing options. You don't want to borrow more than you can comfortably afford to pay off after graduation.

If you need help deciding what to do about your educational costs, talk to your school's financial aid office. They have advisers who can help guide you.

Vet tech program cost

Many factors affect the cost of veterinary technician training, so costs can vary widely.

“The cost of a veterinary technology program varies widely, depending on whether it's an associate or bachelor's degree, whether it's a public or private school, and whether the student is a resident or non-resident,” explains Phillip E. Russo, executive director of NAVTA.

Generally speaking, the total cost can run anywhere from a few thousand dollars per year of school to $20,000 or more.

“Veterinary technician students can expect to pay a wide range of tuition costs depending on the type of school and format,” Jennings says.

“For in-state students attending a public community college, tuition typically ranges from $5,000 to $7,500 per year. At private colleges or for out-of-state students, costs can be significantly higher — often between $10,000 and $20,000 per year.”

You'll also need to consider added expenses, like lab fees, supplies, gas (if you're commuting), and your Veterinary Technician National Exam, which costs $365.

While online schooling can remove many of these extra fees, Jennings has a word of caution:

“Online students are often responsible for arranging their own clinical experiences, which requires initiative and strong local partnerships,” she says.

Veterinary technician salary outlook

The median salary for a vet tech is $45,980, according to the BLS. However, keep in mind that you could earn more or less, depending on factors like your location.

The field of veterinary tech is growing much faster than the average occupation.

“You can, of course, go to work in a traditional animal hospital or clinic, working on small animals, pets, and the like, or you can work at a specialized facility, such as those focusing on equine, large animals,” Russo says.

“You can also work at a zoo, where you would provide care to a variety of animals, or choose to work at a facility that specializes in a specific area or type of treatment, such as dentistry, oncology, or emergency critical care,” he adds.

Opting for one of these more specialized career paths may open doors to higher earnings, too.