We’re the First

Iowa State University established the first public veterinary college in the nation in 1879.

First College of Veterinary Medicine sign

We’re Also One of the Biggest

  • DVM Students: 625 (2nd among 30 U.S. veterinary colleges)
  • Graduate Students: 160
  • Living Alumni: 6,739 (2nd largest alumni base in the country)
  • Faculty: 176 with 74 board-certified specialists

classroom of DVM students

Degree Opportunities

  • DVM
  • Master’s including a 1-year, non-thesis professional master’s program in biomedical sciences
  • PhD

graduation

State-of-the-Art Facilities

The Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center underwent a $105 million renovation and expansion program for our small and large animal hospitals.

radiology scan

We See Patients

No other vet school sees as many large animal patients than the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center does. And we see our share of small animal patients in a number of specialty areas.

Large Animal Patients: 4,617
Small Animal Patients: 14,949

calf closeup

We’re All Accredited

  • College of Veterinary Medicine – American Veterinary Medical Association
  • Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center – American Animal Hospital Association
  • Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory – American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians

We’re #1

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is Iowa’s only full-service, fully accredited veterinary laboratory. The VDL processes 120,000 cases and performs more than 1.25 million tests annually, more than any other veterinary diagnostic lab in the country.

VDL technicians examining samples

We’re #1 Again

Research plays a significant in the College of Veterinary Medicine. No other veterinary college receives more USDA funding than we do. Plus, we’re in the top 1/3 in funding from the NIH.

Qijing Zhang researching

Research Prowess

Our researchers play key roles in efforts to control infectious diseases, developing vaccines, developing new diagnostic tools and delivery methods to improve food safety and security, and controlling and eradicating animal diseases.

research team

Students Conduct Research as Well

Last summer, more than 15% of our student body had a research experience, including our popular Summer Scholars program that pairs students with faculty researchers.

Summer Scholar student research

One of a Kind x2

The Center for Food Security and Public Health is an international resource for information on animal and zoonotic diseases and emergency responses while our Swine Medicine Education Center is the country’s only national center devoted to swine education.

Swine Medical Education Center training

Practice Ready, Day One

From day one you will receive hands-on training that will prepare you for your veterinary career.

student examining dog