Animal Health Technologies at Northern Virginia Community College

Annandale, VA · Public · Associate Degree · Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians

one of the larger campuses at 31,737 students in Annandale, VA.

Program Analysis

At $42,966 per year, Animal Health Technologies graduates from Northern Virginia Community College significantly outpace the $32,474 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 44.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Animal Health Technologies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Animal Health Technologies's career paths, with 29% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

At #22 of 169 nationally, this is a top-5% Animal Health Technologies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $49,695 are relatively flat compared to the $42,966 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

Animal Health Technologies has a registered apprenticeship option through Veterinary/Lab Animal Tech (Alternate Title: Animal Care Specialist) with a median wage of $37,320/yr — worth exploring for students who prefer structured on-the-job training.

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
57
Score
57
High End
Earnings $42,966/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (71% shielded)
Job Market Large (63,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$509K
3.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
44.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
3 of 3
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$11,406
Out-of-state: $23,572
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,695
16% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Animal Health Technologies 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

About Animal Health Technologies Careers

Your career begins on the front lines of animal care. You’ll be the one prepping a nervous dog for surgery, skillfully drawing blood for diagnostics, or running tests using lab equipment in a busy clinic or research facility. This is deeply hands-on work; you can’t comfort a frightened animal or assist in surgery from behind a computer screen. Your days are active, requiring both technical skill and compassion.

Read the full Animal Health Technologies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Animal Health Technologies Overview

Animal Health Technologies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northern Virginia Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 57/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Animal Health Technologies at Northern Virginia Community College?
A score of 57/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Animal Health Technologies field.
Is Northern Virginia Community College one of the best schools for Animal Health Technologies?
The #22 ranking out of 169 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
How many job openings are there for Animal Health Technologies graduates?
With approximately 63,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Animal Health Technologies offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →