Vet Student Debt - Let’s Run the Numbers

Based on some JAVMA stats we blogged about in a previous entry, the average vet student debt is $120,000. I decided to take a closer look at what this really means for a college graduate.

According to an online financial aid calculator, the monthly loan payment on a 20-year loan would be $916.01. That means upon graduation, a vet's annual salary must be around $190,000 assuming 10% of their salary goes toward paying off debt. The average starting salary of a large animal vet is $61,000.

And that's if your debt is $120K — most vet student blogs we've been reading show debts closer to $150K - $250k.