Retraining ReportJob training public funding can pay for

Find training

Vet tech programs in California

17 vet tech and veterinary assistant programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

16 schools offer these vet tech programs, and California has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Vet techs do medical tests that help diagnose animals' injuries and illnesses and help veterinarians with exams, care and lab work. Most have a two-year associate degree in veterinary technology, and most states require them to pass an exam. Veterinary assistants handle routine animal care; most learn on the job, and certification is optional.1

In California, 7 of the 17 programs take students without a high school diploma, 7 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 3 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 17 programs here are veterinary assistant course (13 programs), vet tech program (level not stated, 3 programs) and vet tech (associate degree, 1 program).

See the 17 programs

How much do vet tech programs cost in California?

$2,495 to $16,357 is what most vet tech and veterinary assistant programs in California cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 17 programs with a price. All of them: $275 to $41,981

In the typical program

Finished the program
69%
Working 6 months later
65%
Earned a year, estimated
about $32,600
Length
18 to 36 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in California may also offer vet tech programs. How these figures are made

Are there free vet tech programs in California?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 17 vet tech and veterinary assistant programs in California approved for WIOA funding

Filters
What you need to enroll
Kind of program
School
How it's taught
How to show the list

17 programs

  • Vet tech program (level not stated)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Veterinary Technology

    San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office

    Visalia

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office, VisaliaVet tech program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$41,981
    School website, Veterinary Technology at San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office
    More details about Veterinary Technology at San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office
    Finished
    50%
    Working at 6 months
    74%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    80 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    940
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $41,981
    School website, Veterinary Technology at San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office

  • Vet tech program (level not stated)In personEducation and courses

    Veterinary Technician Certificate

    Santa Rosa Junior College

    Santa Rosa

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa RosaVet tech program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,701

    3 students trained with WIOA funding

    School website, Veterinary Technician Certificate at Santa Rosa Junior College
    More details about Veterinary Technician Certificate at Santa Rosa Junior College
    Finished
    9%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    34 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,370
    Students counted
    831
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,701
    students trained with WIOA funding
    3
    School website, Veterinary Technician Certificate at Santa Rosa Junior College

  • Veterinary assistant courseHybridNo diploma needed

    Veterinary Assistant (Hybrid)

    Animal Behavior College, Inc.

    Valencia

    No diploma needed

    Animal Behavior College, Inc., ValenciaVeterinary assistant courseHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$20,000
    Price if you pay yourself$3,726
    More details about Veterinary Assistant (Hybrid) at Animal Behavior College, Inc.
    Finished
    52%
    Working at 6 months
    64%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,000
    Length
    52 weeks, 19 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,941
    Students counted
    506
    Earned a year, estimated
    $20,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,726

  • Veterinary assistant courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Veterinary Assisting Certificate

    San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office

    Visalia

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office, VisaliaVeterinary assistant course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$23,417
    School website, Veterinary Assisting Certificate at San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office
    More details about Veterinary Assisting Certificate at San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office
    Finished
    61%
    Working at 6 months
    60%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    479
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $23,417
    School website, Veterinary Assisting Certificate at San Joaquin Valley College - Central Administration Office

  • Veterinary assistant courseHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Veterinary Assistant (Blended)

    California Healing Arts College

    Carson

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    California Healing Arts College, CarsonVeterinary assistant course · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$35,000
    Price if you pay yourself$17,850

    3 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Veterinary Assistant (Blended) at California Healing Arts College
    More details about Veterinary Assistant (Blended) at California Healing Arts College
    Finished
    69%
    Working at 6 months
    64%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,739
    Length
    36 weeks, 22 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $145
    Students counted
    345
    Earned a year, estimated
    $35,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $17,850
    students trained with WIOA funding
    3
    Program website, Veterinary Assistant (Blended) at California Healing Arts College

  • Veterinary assistant courseHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Veterinary Assistant

    American College of Healthcare and Technology

    Riverside

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    American College of Healthcare and Technology, RiversideVeterinary assistant course · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$85,500
    Price if you pay yourself$12,963

    10 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Veterinary Assistant at American College of Healthcare and Technology
    More details about Veterinary Assistant at American College of Healthcare and Technology
    Finished
    73%
    Working at 6 months
    76%
    Earned in a quarter
    $21,387
    Length
    36 weeks, 27 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $33
    Students counted
    270
    Earned a year, estimated
    $85,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $12,963
    students trained with WIOA funding
    10
    Program website, Veterinary Assistant at American College of Healthcare and Technology

  • Veterinary assistant courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Veterinary Assistant

    Grossmont Adult School

    El Cajon

    No diploma needed

    Grossmont Adult School, El CajonVeterinary assistant courseIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$275
    Program website, Veterinary Assistant at Grossmont Adult School
    More details about Veterinary Assistant at Grossmont Adult School
    Finished
    91%
    Working at 6 months
    82%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    15 weeks, 2 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    226
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $275
    Program website, Veterinary Assistant at Grossmont Adult School

  • Veterinary assistant courseOnlineNo diploma needed

    Veterinary Assistant

    SDSU Global Campus

    Based in San Diego, CA

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    SDSU Global Campus, based in San Diego, CAVeterinary assistant course · Accredited schoolOnline · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$56,000
    Price if you pay yourself$2,495
    Program website, Veterinary Assistant at SDSU Global Campus
    More details about Veterinary Assistant at SDSU Global Campus
    Finished
    84%
    Working at 6 months
    58%
    Earned in a quarter
    $14,000
    Length
    24 weeks, 3 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    212
    Earned a year, estimated
    $56,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,495
    Program website, Veterinary Assistant at SDSU Global Campus

  • Veterinary assistant courseHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Veterinary Assistant Hybrid ( Hybrid-IDL)

    High Desert Medical College

    Lancaster

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    High Desert Medical College, LancasterVeterinary assistant course · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$16,357
    Program website, Veterinary Assistant Hybrid ( Hybrid-IDL) at High Desert Medical College
    More details about Veterinary Assistant Hybrid ( Hybrid-IDL) at High Desert Medical College
    Finished
    80%
    Working at 6 months
    65%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    43 weeks, 22 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,983
    Students counted
    90
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $16,357
    Program website, Veterinary Assistant Hybrid ( Hybrid-IDL) at High Desert Medical College

  • Vet tech program (level not stated)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Veterinary Technology

    Yuba College

    Marysville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Yuba College, MarysvilleVet tech program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$29,700
    Price if you pay yourself$3,680

    27 students trained with WIOA funding

    More details about Veterinary Technology at Yuba College
    Finished
    58%
    Working at 6 months
    75%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,437
    Length
    18 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    58
    Earned a year, estimated
    $29,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,680
    students trained with WIOA funding
    27

  • Veterinary assistant courseHybridEducation and courses

    Veterinary Assisting Technology

    Escondido Adult School

    Escondido

    Education and courses

    Escondido Adult School, EscondidoVeterinary assistant courseHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$87,900
    Price if you pay yourself$695
    Program website, Veterinary Assisting Technology at Escondido Adult School
    More details about Veterinary Assisting Technology at Escondido Adult School
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $21,972
    Length
    14 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $192
    Students counted
    57
    Earned a year, estimated
    $87,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $695
    Program website, Veterinary Assisting Technology at Escondido Adult School

  • Veterinary assistant courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Certified Veterinary Assistant

    Butte County Regional Occupational Program

    Chico

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Butte County Regional Occupational Program, ChicoVeterinary assistant course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$30,300
    Price if you pay yourself$2,700

    8 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Certified Veterinary Assistant at Butte County Regional Occupational Program
    More details about Certified Veterinary Assistant at Butte County Regional Occupational Program
    Finished
    94%
    Working at 6 months
    53%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,585
    Length
    24 weeks, 25 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $340
    Students counted
    48
    Earned a year, estimated
    $30,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,700
    students trained with WIOA funding
    8
    Program website, Certified Veterinary Assistant at Butte County Regional Occupational Program

  • Veterinary assistant courseOnlineNo diploma needed

    Veterinary Assistant (GES 118)

    Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension

    Based in Los Angeles, CA

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension, based in Los Angeles, CAVeterinary assistant course · Accredited schoolOnline · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$21,800
    Price if you pay yourself$2,495

    5 students trained with WIOA funding

    School website, Veterinary Assistant (GES 118) at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension
    More details about Veterinary Assistant (GES 118) at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension
    Finished
    50%
    Working at 6 months
    36%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,453
    Length
    26 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $220
    Students counted
    24
    Earned a year, estimated
    $21,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,495
    students trained with WIOA funding
    5
    School website, Veterinary Assistant (GES 118) at Loyola Marymount University - LMU Extension

  • Veterinary assistant courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Veterinary Assistant

    Southern California Regional Occupational Center

    Torrance

    No diploma needed

    Southern California Regional Occupational Center, TorranceVeterinary assistant courseIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,150
    School website, Veterinary Assistant at Southern California Regional Occupational Center
    More details about Veterinary Assistant at Southern California Regional Occupational Center
    Finished
    95%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 10 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $100
    Students counted
    22
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,150
    School website, Veterinary Assistant at Southern California Regional Occupational Center

  • Vet tech (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    AAS Degree in Veterinary Technology

    Central Coast College

    Salinas

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Central Coast College, SalinasVet tech (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$16,528
    Program website, AAS Degree in Veterinary Technology at Central Coast College
    More details about AAS Degree in Veterinary Technology at Central Coast College
    Finished
    38%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    84 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $4,352
    Students counted
    22
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $16,528
    Program website, AAS Degree in Veterinary Technology at Central Coast College

  • Veterinary assistant courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Veterinary Assistant

    Glendale Community College

    Glendale

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Glendale Community College, GlendaleVeterinary assistant course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,399
    Program website, Veterinary Assistant at Glendale Community College
    More details about Veterinary Assistant at Glendale Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    12 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,785
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,399
    Program website, Veterinary Assistant at Glendale Community College

  • Veterinary assistant courseOnlineNo diploma needed

    Veterinary Assistant - Ed2Go

    Los Medanos College

    Based in Pittsburg, CA

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Los Medanos College, based in Pittsburg, CAVeterinary assistant course · Accredited schoolOnline · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,495
    Program website, Veterinary Assistant - Ed2Go at Los Medanos College
    More details about Veterinary Assistant - Ed2Go at Los Medanos College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    24 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,495
    Program website, Veterinary Assistant - Ed2Go at Los Medanos College

How to pay for vet tech programs in California

WIOA funding can pay for vet tech programs in California

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for vet tech programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for vet tech programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Vet tech programs in California

programs with a price cost under $2,000
4 of 17
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
4th of 13
vet tech and veterinary assistant programs of any state: no state has more than California
Most

State comparisons use the same figures as the vet tech programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Vet tech programs in Los Angeles, Visalia, San Diego and other California cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 2 more programs are in 2 other areas and 3 online.

Other training in California

How vet tech programs compare with the rest of allied health: Allied health programs in California

Where the California vet tech program numbers come from

Which California vet tech programs are on this list?

These are the vet tech programs California approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what California offers.

How the prices and results of California vet tech programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about vet tech programs in California

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List