Is Western University College of Veterinary Medicine Worth the Cost?

Do you dream of pursuing a career as a veterinarian? If that’s the case, you know that going back to school will be in your future. One veterinarian program to consider is Western University of Health Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

The school is based in Pomona, California, and the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program is 4 years. It is one of the newest programs available, but financially, is it worth going to Western University College of Veterinary Medicine? The short answer is probably not.

The Western University College of Veterinary Medicine cost can be quite high. Read on to learn more about the numbers and how it compares to other schools.

Western University College of Veterinary Medicine tuition and costs

Here’s the tough news. Going to Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine will likely you set back more than $200,000. First year tuition alone is $55,535. The school is a private nonprofit, so tuition can be higher than other more affordable public schools. Here is a snapshot look at the general attendance and tuition costs.

The school also provides an additional budgeting breakdown to give a more realistic idea of cost. That way you have a better idea of the big picture and know the true cost of the program to see if it makes sense for your budget and financial aid offerings.

So really, you’re looking at close to an additional $80,000 or more per year.

We received reader feedback as to why the transportation expense is so high in the third and fourth year.

Western University Vet School doesn't have it's own teaching hospital, so students go to other veterinary experiences across the country during their last two years of school (hence needing to pay more in transportation).

Average student loan debt for graduates of Western University’s veterinary program

Looking at the information above gives you an idea of cost, but not the average student loan debt for graduates of the Western University’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.

According to data on their site, the average student loan debt for graduates of their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program is as follows:

• 2015 graduates – $243,801
• 2016 graduates – $258,953
• 2017 graduates – $270,164
• 2018 graduates – $265,558

Information provided through the College ScoreCard Debt Report states that the median debt for grads of this program is $298,724. Remember, though, median doesn’t mean the average — it includes the lowest and highest amounts and finds the middle ground.

The mean, which is the average student loan debt is listed as $263,206. When in reality, it’s clear that this program is costing graduates a quarter-million dollars.

Yes, when you put it that way, the cost of veterinary school at this institution can be really stressful. But it’s important to understand how much you’re borrowing and how much you’ll graduate with after the program is over.

Let’s compare this to the general average student loan debt for veterinarians. According to the most current data available from the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2016 graduates owed an average of $167,534.89.

Unfortunately, according to the CollegeScord data, the median earnings for veterinarians from this school is only $68,400. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for veterinarians in 2018 was $93,830. Considering the difference is quite significant, this is one reason it might not be worth the cost.

The good news is that if you do decide to go to this school, the job growth for veterinarians is strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that between 2018 to 2028, jobs for veterinarians are expected to increase 18%.

Is Western University Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program worth it?

After reviewing all of the data regarding tuition costs, average student loan debt and average veterinarian salary, this program might not be worth the cost. It depends on where you live and what you focus on, but there could be more affordable veterinarian programs out there.

If you’re a resident of North Carolina, the North Carolina State University Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program is certainly more affordable at $19,616 a year. That’s close to $80k tuition for the 4 year program. However, you’ll still need to consider all the extra costs like room and board, books, transportation, etc.

Another option is Oregon State University, which also has more affordable tuition for residents, at $25,521 for the 2019-2020 school year. For non-residents, it’s more costly at $48,790 a year, but still not as expensive as Western University.

Though we have noted that Western University is likely not worth the cost, there are other schools, like Midwestern University, that have even higher tuition. Their 2019-2020 tuition is $64,243 a year. 

Ranked: 5 Best and Worst Vet Schools by Cost

In short, you should look at other, more affordable schools first. If you end up going to Western University, consider your long-term goals and connections, both to people and local geographic career opportunities.

What should you do if you have student loan debt from the Western University Veterinary program?

If you’re a graduate or current student at Western University’s vet program, you might be wondering what your options are to pay off such a high amount of student loans.

You likely will or do have upwards of six-figures in student loan debt. If you have federal student loans, a good option is going on an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. Signing up for an IDR plan will help make your student loan payments smaller and more affordable. These plans require borrowers to only pay 10-20 percent of their discretionary income each month.

Another option is to refinance your student loans. Refinancing lowers the overall cost of the student loans by offering a lower interest rate. There are also many student loan refinancing companies to consider.

When refinancing, you want to find the best rate and make sure it’s the right fit for you. You will no longer be eligible for any federal protections after refinancing. That means no more IDR or student loan forgiveness. If you want to get out of debt ASAP and know you won’t need or pursue those options in the future, student loan refinancing can be financially beneficial.

Take action

Whether you’re researching the cost of the Western University College of Veterinary Medicine, a current student or graduate, you’ll want to take matters into your own hands. Prospective students can look into more affordable options, while current students and graduates can develop a plan to tackle their debt. If you need help getting started, get in touch with a Student Loan Planner® consultant for a personalized student loan repayment plan.