ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE · DEGREE PAYOFF · FEDERAL FIELD 0183

Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians: is this associate's degree worth it?

National picture across 139 reporting college programs.

10-year estimate · Negative payoff

−$138,507 over 10 years

National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.

With these assumptions, the added earnings do not recover the cost within ten years.

Not availableModeled economic break-even
−116%Modeled 10-year ROI
$43,115Observed earnings · year 4
Not reachedMaximum annual price for positive 10-year payoff
Includes direct price and earnings forgone while studying. Assumes $45,000 in alternative annual earnings and no wage growth. How we calculate it
A PRACTICAL READ

Four useful answers about Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians

How much do Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians associate's degree graduates earn?

The national median is $43,115 four years after completion across reportable associate's degree programs in this federal field.

How much federal debt do graduates have?

The median reported federal debt is $18,255. The figure excludes private loans and does not describe every graduate.

Does the college matter for Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians?

Yes. The middle half of reporting programs ranges from $38,379 to $46,358 in observed year-4 earnings.

What careers are related to Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians?

DegreeVerdict links this field to 3 displayed occupations using the official federal CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupational wages are career context, not graduate salary promises.

PRICE SENSITIVITY

The price can change the verdict.

Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.

What stays fixed$43,115 observed annual earnings · 2 years of study · $45,000 alternative annual earnings · ten-year horizonThe marked price is the average college-wide net-price context across reporting institutions. This is a sensitivity test, not a tuition quote or earnings forecast.
WHAT THIS DEGREE PAYS

Observed national outcomes

$43,115Median reported earnings · year 4
$39,171Average reported earnings · year 5
$18,255Median federal debt
34thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
Not availableIPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
137With year-4 earnings

The award total covers 0 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.

COMPARE CREDENTIAL LEVELS

The same field can produce a different equation.

Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts, not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.

OPEN PROFILE

Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma

Year-4 earnings
$34,788
Federal debt
$8,227
Reporting programs
60
56 report earnings →
CURRENT VIEW

Associate's Degree

Year-4 earnings
$43,115
Federal debt
$18,255
Reporting programs
139
137 report earnings →
OPEN PROFILE

Bachelor's Degree

Year-4 earnings
$41,690
Federal debt
$26,323
Reporting programs
13
12 report earnings →
COLLEGE-TO-COLLEGE RANGE

Where the middle half of programs lands

Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.

Median
25th percentile$38,379National median$43,11575th percentile$46,358
137 programs report year‑4 earnings.
DECISION CHECK

What to compare before choosing a program

The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.

$46,35875th-percentile year-4 earnings among reporting programs
$18,218Median federal debt across programs that report it
9Programs with earnings in the top quarter and debt at or below the median
PRICE × EARNINGS MAP

Where colleges sit for this exact degree

Move left for a lower annual college-wide net price and up for higher observed year-4 earnings.

$52,976Observed year-4 earnings$37,936
$3,405Annual college-wide average net price$36,483
All reporting colleges Lower-price, higher-earnings quadrantAxes trim the outer 5% for readability; outliers remain pinned to the chart edge. Price is institution-wide context, not exact program tuition.
Compare colleges

Put the same degree side by side.

Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.

Compare 3 programs →
Build your shortlist

Choose colleges offering this exact degree

Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.

100 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
1CUNY LaGuardia Community CollegeLong Island City, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$66,272Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$6,120
2Los Angeles Pierce CollegeWoodland Hills, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$55,763Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$13,270
3Manor CollegeJenkintown, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$55,233Federal debt$29,750Annual net price$13,078
4San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,912Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$5,814
5Northern Virginia Community CollegeAnnandale, VA · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,890Federal debt$21,101Annual net price$9,919
6Suffolk County Community CollegeSelden, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$52,976Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$5,258
7Bergen Community CollegeParamus, NJ · PublicYear-4 earnings$52,755Federal debt$21,000Annual net price$10,345
8Stanbridge UniversityIrvine, CA · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$52,651Federal debt$19,500Annual net price$45,372
9Community College of DenverDenver, CO · PublicYear-4 earnings$52,209Federal debt$17,750Annual net price$9,450
10Truckee Meadows Community CollegeReno, NV · PublicYear-4 earnings$51,320Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$8,312
11Connecticut State Community CollegeNew Britain, CT · PublicYear-4 earnings$50,326Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$11,513
12Windward Community CollegeKaneohe, HI · PublicYear-4 earnings$50,249Federal debt$14,490Annual net price$8,169
13Portland Community CollegePortland, OR · PublicYear-4 earnings$49,418Federal debt$21,000Annual net price$10,405
14San Juan CollegeFarmington, NM · PublicYear-4 earnings$49,376Federal debt$19,500Annual net price$5,769
15York County Community CollegeWells, ME · PublicYear-4 earnings$49,193Federal debt$17,449Annual net price$5,875
16Massasoit Community CollegeBrockton, MA · PublicYear-4 earnings$49,110Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$8,460
17Miami Dade CollegeMiami, FL · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,841Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$5,463
18New England Institute of TechnologyEast Greenwich, RI · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$48,474Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$36,483
19Lone Star College SystemThe Woodlands, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,427Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$11,252
20Gwinnett Technical CollegeLawrenceville, GA · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,391Federal debt$18,750Annual net price$6,696
21Joliet Junior CollegeJoliet, IL · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,069Federal debt$9,562Annual net price$1,672
22Great Bay Community CollegePortsmouth, NH · PublicYear-4 earnings$47,991Federal debt$18,000Annual net price$15,768
23Blue Ridge Community CollegeWeyers Cave, VA · PublicYear-4 earnings$47,854Federal debt$16,562Annual net price$13,997
24Metropolitan Community College-Kansas CityKansas City, MO · PublicYear-4 earnings$47,501Federal debt$7,934Annual net price$8,398
25Dallas CollegeDallas, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$47,111Federal debt$16,040Annual net price$3,214
Open the full program search →
WHERE OUTCOMES ARE STRONGEST

See the spread, not just the national number.

1CUNY LaGuardia Community College$66,2722Los Angeles Pierce College$55,7633Manor College$55,2334San Diego Mesa College$53,9125Northern Virginia Community College$53,8906Suffolk County Community College$52,9767Bergen Community College$52,7558Stanbridge University$52,6519Community College of Denver$52,20910Truckee Meadows Community College$51,320

Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking

Career outlook

Related occupations, wages and demand

Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.

Pay and projected demand

Related careers do not share one outlook

Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection

Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$47,380 median wage129,140 U.S. jobs · SOC 29-2056+9.4% projected employment, 2025–35 · 13.4k annual openingsTypical entry education: Associate's degree$35,710$63,180 10th–90th percentileVeterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$38,150 median wage126,580 U.S. jobs · SOC 31-9096+9.1% projected employment, 2025–35 · 23.2k annual openingsTypical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent$30,120$49,150 10th–90th percentileHealth Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$107,310 median wage221,270 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1071+17.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 24.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$59,270$322,020 10th–90th percentile

BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.

BEST COLLEGES FOR VETERINARY/ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES/TECHNICIANS

Same degree, different outcomes

Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario, not an individual aid offer.

#CollegeLocationEarnings, year 4Federal debt10-year ROIVerdict
1CUNY LaGuardia Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeLong Island City, NY$66,272Not available+108%Strong payoff
2Los Angeles Pierce CollegeAssociate's DegreeWoodland Hills, CA$55,763Not available-8%Negative payoff
3Manor CollegeAssociate's DegreeJenkintown, PA$55,233$29,750-12%Negative payoff
4San Diego Mesa CollegeAssociate's DegreeSan Diego, CA$53,912Not available-12%Negative payoff
5Northern Virginia Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeAnnandale, VA$53,890$21,101-19%Negative payoff
6Suffolk County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeSelden, NY$52,976Not available-21%Negative payoff
7Bergen Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeParamus, NJ$52,755$21,000-30%Negative payoff
8Stanbridge UniversityAssociate's DegreeIrvine, CA$52,651$19,500-58%Negative payoff
9Community College of DenverAssociate's DegreeDenver, CO$52,209$17,750-34%Negative payoff
10Truckee Meadows Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeReno, NV$51,320Not available-41%Negative payoff
11Connecticut State Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeNew Britain, CT$50,326Not available-53%Negative payoff
12Windward Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeKaneohe, HI$50,249$14,490-51%Negative payoff
13Portland Community CollegeAssociate's DegreePortland, OR$49,418$21,000-60%Negative payoff
14San Juan CollegeAssociate's DegreeFarmington, NM$49,376$19,500-57%Negative payoff
15York County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeWells, ME$49,193$17,449-59%Negative payoff
16Massasoit Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeBrockton, MA$49,110Not available-62%Negative payoff
17Miami Dade CollegeAssociate's DegreeMiami, FL$48,841Not available-62%Negative payoff
18New England Institute of TechnologyAssociate's DegreeEast Greenwich, RI$48,474Not available-79%Negative payoff
19Lone Star College SystemAssociate's DegreeThe Woodlands, TX$48,427Not available-70%Negative payoff
20Gwinnett Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeLawrenceville, GA$48,391$18,750-67%Negative payoff
21Joliet Junior CollegeAssociate's DegreeJoliet, IL$48,069$9,562-67%Negative payoff
22Great Bay Community CollegeAssociate's DegreePortsmouth, NH$47,991$18,000-75%Negative payoff
23Blue Ridge Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeWeyers Cave, VA$47,854$16,562-76%Negative payoff
24Metropolitan Community College-Kansas CityAssociate's DegreeKansas City, MO$47,501$7,934-77%Negative payoff
25Dallas CollegeAssociate's DegreeDallas, TX$47,111$16,040-78%Negative payoff
26Pima Medical Institute-AlbuquerqueAssociate's DegreeAlbuquerque, NM$47,105$19,046-84%Negative payoff
27North Shore Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeDanvers, MA$47,080Not available-81%Negative payoff
28Macomb Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeWarren, MI$46,832Not available-80%Negative payoff
29Fox CollegeAssociate's DegreeTinley Park, IL$46,606$14,722-86%Negative payoff
30Hillsborough CollegeAssociate's DegreeTampa, FL$46,457Not available-85%Negative payoff
31St Petersburg CollegeAssociate's DegreeSt. Petersburg, FL$46,358$18,830-85%Negative payoff
32Columbus State Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeColumbus, OH$46,055Not available-90%Negative payoff
33Pima Medical Institute-AuroraAssociate's DegreeAurora, CO$45,901$19,015-93%Negative payoff
34Pima Medical Institute-PhoenixAssociate's DegreePhoenix, AZ$45,901$19,015-93%Negative payoff
35Mt San Antonio CollegeAssociate's DegreeWalnut, CA$45,374Not available-96%Negative payoff
36SUNY College of Technology at DelhiAssociate's DegreeDelhi, NY$45,297$12,000-98%Negative payoff
37Bel-Rea Institute of Animal TechnologyAssociate's DegreeDenver, CO$44,975$26,772-100%Negative payoff
38Carrington College-SacramentoAssociate's DegreeSacramento, CA$44,873$20,000-101%Negative payoff
39Carrington College-San Leandro CampusAssociate's DegreeSan Leandro, CA$44,873$20,000-101%Negative payoff
40Carrington College-San JoseAssociate's DegreeSan Jose, CA$44,873$20,000-101%Negative payoff
41Carrington College-Pleasant Hill CampusAssociate's DegreePleasant Hill, CA$44,873$20,000-101%Negative payoff
42Carrington College-StocktonAssociate's DegreeStockton, CA$44,873$20,000-101%Negative payoff
43Lehigh Carbon Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeSchnecksville, PA$44,790Not available-102%Negative payoff
44Jefferson State Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeBirmingham, AL$44,770Not available-102%Negative payoff
45Rochester Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeRochester, MN$44,584$21,250-103%Negative payoff
46Pima Medical Institute-TucsonAssociate's DegreeTucson, AZ$44,359$21,151WithheldPrice-proxy sensitiveNot available
47Pima Medical Institute-SeattleAssociate's DegreeSeattle, WA$44,359$21,151-104%Negative payoff
48Pima Medical Institute-Chula VistaAssociate's DegreeChula Vista, CA$44,359$21,151-104%Negative payoff
49Pima Medical Institute-Colorado SpringsAssociate's DegreeColorado Springs, CO$44,359$21,151-104%Negative payoff
50Pima Medical Institute-Las VegasAssociate's DegreeLas Vegas, NV$44,359$21,151-105%Negative payoff
51Pima Medical Institute-RentonAssociate's DegreeRenton, WA$44,359$21,151-104%Negative payoff
52Pima Medical Institute-East ValleyAssociate's DegreeMesa, AZ$44,359$21,151-105%Negative payoff
53Pima Medical Institute-HoustonAssociate's DegreeHouston, TX$44,359$21,151-105%Negative payoff
54Pima Medical Institute-El PasoAssociate's DegreeEl Paso, TX$44,359$21,151-105%Negative payoff
55Pima Medical Institute-San MarcosAssociate's DegreeSan Marcos, CA$44,359$21,151-104%Negative payoff
56Pima Medical Institute-San AntonioAssociate's DegreeSan Antonio, TX$44,359$21,151-105%Negative payoff
57Ulster County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeStone Ridge, NY$43,988$12,854-110%Negative payoff
58Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeAsheville, NC$43,794Not available-111%Negative payoff
59Holyoke Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeHolyoke, MA$43,182Not available-117%Negative payoff
60Vermont State UniversityAssociate's DegreeRandolph, VT$43,115Not available-115%Negative payoff
61Pima Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeTucson, AZ$42,889$9,819-122%Negative payoff
62University of Maine at AugustaAssociate's DegreeAugusta, ME$42,875Not available-119%Negative payoff
63Northampton County Area Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeBethlehem, PA$42,858Not available-119%Negative payoff
64University of New Hampshire-Main CampusAssociate's DegreeDurham, NH$42,665Not available-117%Negative payoff
65Central Carolina Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeSanford, NC$42,196$9,899-128%Negative payoff
66SUNY College of Technology at CantonAssociate's DegreeCanton, NY$42,094$14,297-124%Negative payoff
67Tri-County Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreePendleton, SC$42,077$18,218-124%Negative payoff
68Northeast Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeNorfolk, NE$42,059Not available-127%Negative payoff
69Iowa Western Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeCouncil Bluffs, IA$41,974Not available-125%Negative payoff
70Harcum CollegeAssociate's DegreeBryn Mawr, PA$41,892$22,531-122%Negative payoff
71Madison Area Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeMadison, WI$41,811$16,500-127%Negative payoff
72Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma CityAssociate's DegreeOklahoma City, OK$41,721$12,750-131%Negative payoff
73Gaston CollegeAssociate's DegreeDallas, NC$41,298$11,000-136%Negative payoff
74Front Range Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeWestminster, CO$41,212$22,228-133%Negative payoff
75Platt College-Los AngelesAssociate's DegreeAlhambra, CA$41,193$12,999-126%Negative payoff
76Platt College-OntarioAssociate's DegreeOntario, CA$41,193$12,999-129%Negative payoff
77Platt College-RiversideAssociate's DegreeRiverside, CA$41,193$12,999-128%Negative payoff
78Platt College-AnaheimAssociate's DegreeAnaheim, CA$41,193$12,999-128%Negative payoff
79Kirkwood Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeCedar Rapids, IA$40,964Not available-137%Negative payoff
80Colby Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeColby, KS$40,419$12,000-143%Negative payoff
81Genesee Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeBatavia, NY$40,380Not available-143%Negative payoff
82Baker CollegeAssociate's DegreeOwosso, MI$40,259$19,603-141%Negative payoff
83Vet Tech Institute of IndianaAssociate's DegreeIndianapolis, IN$40,213$13,624-139%Negative payoff
84Cuyahoga Community College DistrictAssociate's DegreeCleveland, OH$40,057Not available-150%Negative payoff
85Ridgewater CollegeAssociate's DegreeWillmar, MN$40,054$14,171-145%Negative payoff
86Mesa Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeMesa, AZ$39,973Not available-144%Negative payoff
87Morehead State UniversityAssociate's DegreeMorehead, KY$39,600Not available-149%Negative payoff
88Camden County CollegeAssociate's DegreeBlackwood, NJ$39,490Not available-154%Negative payoff
89University of Cincinnati-Main CampusAssociate's DegreeCincinnati, OH$39,427$16,545-139%Negative payoff
90University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash CollegeAssociate's DegreeBlue Ash, OH$39,427$16,545-145%Negative payoff
91Vet Tech InstituteAssociate's DegreePittsburgh, PA$38,774$14,984-151%Negative payoff
92Parkland CollegeAssociate's DegreeChampaign, IL$38,567Not available-161%Negative payoff
93Lincoln Memorial UniversityAssociate's DegreeHarrogate, TN$38,379$15,500-151%Negative payoff
94Sinclair Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeDayton, OH$38,325Not available-165%Negative payoff
95Crowder CollegeAssociate's DegreeNeosho, MO$38,267Not available-162%Negative payoff
96SUNY College of Technology at AlfredAssociate's DegreeAlfred, NY$37,936$14,500-159%Negative payoff
97Columbia State Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeColumbia, TN$37,930Not available-171%Negative payoff
98YTI Career Institute-YorkAssociate's DegreeYork, PA$37,797$16,829-160%Negative payoff
99University of Nebraska-LincolnAssociate's DegreeLincoln, NE$37,386$12,625-161%Negative payoff
100Nebraska College of Technical AgricultureAssociate's DegreeCurtis, NE$37,386$12,625-164%Negative payoff

This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.