healthcare
Veterinary Assistant programs
Veterinary assistant programs teach animal restraint and handling, lab sample collection, surgical suite preparation, and front-office duties for clinics. Unlike veterinary technicians, assistants generally do not need a state license, though NAVTA-approved programs offer an AVA credential.
At a glance
5 verified listings offer Veterinary Assistant training across 2 states (AZ, NV), with tuition from $17,458. A typical program runs about 36 weeks and leads to a certificate.
Schools that offer Veterinary Assistant
All schools listed publish accreditation, tuition, and outcomes data.
| School | Location | Length | Modality | Tuition | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pima Medical Institute - East Valley | Mesa, AZ | 720 clock hours; 30 weeks (five-day schedule); 29.0 semester credits | In person | $17,458 | 76% |
| Carrington College - Mesa | Mesa, AZ | 36 weeks (not including breaks); 690 contact hours (270 lecture / 240 lab / 180 externship); 28.5 semester credit hours | Hybrid | — | — |
| Carrington College - Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ | Approximately 36 weeks (not including breaks); 690 clock hours (270 lecture / 240 lab / 180 extern); 28.5 semester credit hours | Hybrid | — | — |
| Carrington College - Tucson | Tucson, AZ | 36 weeks (6-week terms), 28.5 semester credits; 270 lecture / 240 lab / 180 externship hours | Hybrid | — | — |
| Pima Medical Institute - Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV | 29 credits / 720 clock hours; 30 weeks; 6-week externship | Hybrid | $17,458 | — |
Popular cities offering Veterinary Assistant
Compare local tuition, length, and outcomes for veterinary assistant training in these cities.
Related healthcare programs
Frequently asked questions
- How long is a veterinary assistant program?
- Most veterinary assistant programs take about 36 weeks of full-time study and lead to a certificate.
- What is the median salary for a Veterinary Assistant?
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage is approximately $38,150. Actual salaries vary by region, employer, and experience.
- What should I look for in a veterinary assistant school?
- Verify the school's institutional accreditation, state authorization, completion rate, and job placement rate. CareerSchoolFinder lists schools that meet these baseline transparency requirements.
Questions to ask before enrolling in a veterinary assistant program
Bring this checklist to every information session, campus tour, or admissions phone call.
- Is the program institutionally accredited, or only state-approved?
- These are different things. State approval lets the school operate; accreditation by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education is what lets you use federal financial aid and is required for many professional licensure paths.
- What is the total cost, including all fees, books, supplies, and exam fees?
- Tuition is rarely the full price. Ask for a written total program cost disclosure that itemizes tuition, registration, technology, lab, and book/supply fees, plus any required certification or licensing exam fees.
- How long is the program in clock hours, not just weeks?
- Two programs both labeled "36 weeks" can deliver very different amounts of training. Ask for the total clock hours (or credit hours) and the weekly schedule (full-time, part-time, evenings, weekends).
- What are the most recent completion and job placement rates?
- Ask for the year, the methodology, and the underlying numbers — not just a percentage. A reputable school will share its annual performance fact sheet or gainful-employment disclosure.
- Is there a licensure or certification exam? What is the most recent pass rate?
- For healthcare, beauty, and many trades programs, a state or national exam is required to work in the field. Ask for the school's most recent first-time pass rate.
- What is the refund policy if I withdraw?
- Refund schedules vary widely. Ask to see the written enrollment agreement and the state-mandated cancellation/refund schedule before signing anything.
Where this data comes from
Every figure on CareerSchoolFinder is compiled from public records, accreditor directories, or the school's own published disclosures. We never accept payment from schools to be listed, and we don't sell prospective-student information.
Public filings
State regulator records (e.g., California BPPE, Maryland Board of Cosmetologists), federal College Navigator (NCES), and IPEDS data submitted by the institution.
Accreditor directories
Active-status verifications come directly from the accrediting agency's public directory (ACCSC, ABHES, COE, ACCET, NACCAS, COMTA, and others recognized by the U.S. Department of Education).
School disclosures
Tuition, fees, program length, and outcomes (completion, placement, licensure pass rate) come from the school's published catalog, performance fact sheets, and gainful-employment disclosures.
Data changes between catalog years. Always confirm directly with the school and the relevant state regulator before enrolling. College Navigator
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