Veterinary Technology at Des Moines Area Community College

Ankeny, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians

with a mid-sized student body of 10,406 in Ankeny, IA.

Program Analysis

Des Moines Area Community College's Veterinary Technology graduates start at $38,962/yr — above the $32,474 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 37.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Veterinary Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Veterinary Technology's career paths, with 29% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 1% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,834 in median debt clears fast against $38,962 in annual earnings.

At #39 of 169 nationally, this is a top-5% Veterinary Technology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

One registered apprenticeship pathway (Veterinary/Lab Animal Tech (Alternate Title: Animal Care Specialist) with a median wage of $37,320/yr) connects to Veterinary Technology careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
53
Score
53
High End
Earnings $38,962/yr (20% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (71% shielded)
Job Market Large (63,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$39K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
37.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
3 of 3
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$11,100
Out-of-state: $22,200
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,834
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,359
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Veterinary Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Veterinary technologists and technicians $45,980 +9.1% 84%
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers $37,320 +8.7% 78%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Veterinary technologists and technicians
$45,980
+9.1% growth 84% AI-proof
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
$37,320
+8.7% growth 78% AI-proof

Veterinary Technology Career Guide

Veterinary Technology opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Veterinary Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Veterinary Technology Overview

Veterinary Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Des Moines Area Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Veterinary Technology at Des Moines Area Community College?
This program scores 53/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Veterinary Technology graduates.
How affordable is Veterinary Technology at Des Moines Area Community College?
At $9,834 in median debt, Veterinary Technology graduates from Des Moines Area Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Why does Des Moines Area Community College rank so high for Veterinary Technology?
Among 169 Veterinary Technology programs, Des Moines Area Community College's #39 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What's the job market like for Veterinary Technology from Des Moines Area Community College?
The career paths mapped to Veterinary Technology have roughly 63,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →