Becoming a Veterinary Technician in Minnesota

Veterinary technicians working in Minnesota must be certified by the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA). Veterinary technology is an exciting field to work in, especially if you love animals. Certification requires some training, but some careers don’t require the same level of skill, such as veterinary assisting and animal caretaking. All of these are growing fields in Minnesota with plenty of opportunities. [Leer en español]

Salaries for Minnesota Veterinary Technicians

The national average salary for vet techs is $36,850, but those working in Minnesota can expect an average income of around $37,240 with the possibility of reaching a salary as high as $46,780. For vet assistants and animal caretakers working in the state, the average and top salaries are $28,010 and $47,330, respectively.

Requirements for Certified Veterinary Technicians

To work as a vet tech in Minnesota, you have to be certified through the MVMA. This is not required for jobs as an animal caretaker or veterinary assistant, as these require less training. The first requirement for vet tech certification is to complete a veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). You must also pass the Veterinary Technology National Examination (VTNE). Upon submission of proof of meeting each of these requirements, along with the application, certification may be granted.

Featured School

Penn Foster College – Veterinary Technician Program

Penn FosterFull accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Clinical externships through a private practice near your home or Penn Foster College’s partner VCA Animal Hospitals. Gain hands-on experience alongside licensed veterinarians and credentialed veterinary technicians. Call 1-800-851-1819 today.

More Information

AVMA-Accredited Veterinary Technician Programs

Minnesota is home to several schools that have American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited veterinary technology programs. These are typically two-year programs that confer associate’s degrees and prepare students for a career as a vet tech and to pass the VTNE.

Veterinary Technician Employers in Minnesota

There are a variety of workplace opportunities for working with animals in Minnesota. Vet techs, vet assistants, and animal caretakers work for veterinarians in private practice. They work at animal hospitals and rescue shelters. They may even work in research facilities. Here are a few vet tech employers in the state:

Professional Organizations for Minnesota Vet Techs

The Minnesota Association of Veterinary Technicians is a professional organization that hosts networking events and gives members access to continuing education and job listings. Minnesota vet techs can also join the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. As a national organization, it has even more resources to offer.

Tell us about yourself so we can find programs near you.




Veterinary Technician Schools in Minnesota

Duluth, MN-WI Area

Duluth Business University

4724 Mike Colalillo Drive, Duluth, Minnesota 55807

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

Duluth Business University’s Associate program in Veterinary Technology is offered at their campus in the city of Duluth. The college has in the order of 182 students in total, with the majority of students in 4-year programs. The university is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. The retention rate of full-time students at this college is over 80%. Tuition fees are, as a rough guide, around $17,810 yearly, while books and supplies may cost about $1,739, although this varies from program to program.

Fargo, ND-MN Area

Minnesota School of Business-Moorhead

2777 34th Street South, Moorhead, Minnesota 56560

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

The Associate’s program at Minnesota School of Business can be taken at their Moorhead campus in Moorhead in Clay County. This private, for-profit college has around 135 students in total, with the majority of students on 4-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Tuition fees are around $14,040 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,152, depending on the program chosen.

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Area

Argosy University-Twin Cities

1515 Central Parkway, Eagan, Minnesota 55121

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

Argosy University’s Associate-level Veterinary Technology program is offered at their Twin Cities campus in the city of Eagan. Of the 1,493 students, about 28% are postgraduates. The university is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College, and University Commission. Tuition fees are about $13,560 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,000, depending on the program chosen.

Globe University-Woodbury

8089 Globe Drive, Woodbury, Minnesota 55125-3388

Veterinary Technology – Bachelor Program, Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

Globe University offers multiple training options, including a Bachelor’s program and an Associate’s program. All programs are offered at their Woodbury campus in Woodbury in Washington County. This is a full, 4-year private college with 776 students, of which 92% are undergraduates. The university is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Tuition fees are about $14,040 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,152, depending on the program.

Minnesota School of Business-Blaine

3680 Pheasant Ridge Dr. NE, Blaine, Minnesota 55449

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

The Veterinary Technology Associate’s program at Minnesota School of Business is offered at their Blaine campus in Blaine in Anoka County, MN. This private, for-profit college has roughly 239 students in total, with most students on 4-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. The cost of tuition is likely to be in the order of $14,040 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $1,152, although this will vary with the program.

Minnesota School of Business-Elk River

11500 193rd Ave NW, Elk River, Minnesota 55330

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

Minnesota School of Business’s Associate-level Veterinary Technology program is based at their Elk River campus in Elk River in Sherburne County, Minnesota. The majority of the school’s 236 students are in 4-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. The cost of tuition is in the order of $14,040 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $1,152, although this will vary with the program.

Minnesota School of Business-Lakeville

17685 Juniper Path, Lakeville, Minnesota 55044

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

The Veterinary Technology Associate’s program at Minnesota School of Business can be taken at their Lakeville campus in Lakeville in Dakota County. This private, for-profit college has in the order of 195 students in total, with the majority of students on 4-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Tuition fees are usually about $14,040 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,152, depending on the program chosen.

Minnesota School of Business-Plymouth

1455 County Rd 101 North, Plymouth, Minnesota 55447

Veterinary Technology – Bachelor Program, Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

Minnesota School of Business offers multiple training options, including Bachelors and associate programs. All programs are offered at their Plymouth campus in the city of Plymouth. This private, for-profit college has approximately 130 students in total, with most students on 4-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. The retention rate of full-time students at this college is over 80%. Tuition fees are about $14,040 annually, while study materials may cost around $1,152, depending on the program.

Rochester, MN Area

Minnesota School of Business-Rochester

2521 Pennington Drive NW, Rochester, Minnesota 55901

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

Minnesota School of Business’s Associate-level Veterinary Technology program is based at its Rochester campus in the city of Rochester, Minnesota. The college has roughly 183 students in total, with most students in 4-year programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Tuition fees are around $14,040 annually. Books and supplies can cost around $1,152, although this will depend on the program.

Rochester Community and Technical College

851 30th Ave SE, Rochester, Minnesota 55904-4999

Veterinary Technician – Associate Program

The Veterinary Technician Associate’s degree program at Rochester Community and Technical College is taught at their campus in the city of Rochester, Minnesota. Most of the school’s 5,894 students are in 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. The cost of tuition is in the order of $5,638 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $1,600, depending on the program chosen.

Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area Area

Ridgewater College

2101 15th Ave NW, Willmar, Minnesota 56201

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

The Associate’s degree program at Ridgewater College is offered at their campus in the town of Willmar, MN. The college has around 3,753 students in total, with most students in 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. The cost of tuition is in the order of $5,406 yearly, while books and supplies may cost about $1,200, although this varies from program to program.

St. Cloud, MN Area

Minnesota School of Business-Waite Park

1201 2nd Street South, Waite Park, Minnesota 56387

Veterinary Technology – Associate Program

The Associate’s program at Minnesota School of Business can be taken at their Waite Park campus in Waite Park in Stearns County. This private, for-profit college has about 218 students in total, with the majority of students on 4-year programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Tuition fees are broadly about $14,040 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,152, depending on the program.

* Tuition fees and accreditation status are correct at the time of writing, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Confirm with the college before applying.

Other Options

See options in the neighboring states of Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

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