Veterinary Pathology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Veterinary pathology is a specialized field dedicated to understanding the causes, mechanisms, and progression of diseases in animals, with a focus on advancing diagnostic accuracy, preventive strategies, and targeted treatments. This discipline bridges laboratory science and clinical practice, equipping professionals to analyze disease at cellular, tissue, and systemic levels across domestic and wild species.
- Pathogenesis: The study of how diseases originate and evolve within animal organisms, examining the biological processes that lead to clinical illness.
- Immunoparasitology: An integrated approach to understanding interactions between host immune responses and parasitic infections in animals.
- Viral therapy: Research and application of viruses for therapeutic purposes, including oncolytic treatments and vaccine development in veterinary medicine.
- Inherited metabolic diseases: Investigation into genetic disorders affecting biochemical pathways, with emphasis on diagnosis and management in animal populations.
- Environmental toxicology: Analysis of how pollutants and environmental agents impact animal health, including mechanisms of toxicity and long-term effects.
- Anatomical and clinical pathology: Comprehensive examination of structural and functional changes in tissues and body fluids to determine disease states.
- Necropsy and biopsy techniques: Hands-on training in post-mortem examination and tissue sampling methods essential for accurate disease assessment.
- Clinical laboratory analysis: Proficiency in utilizing diagnostic tools and assays to evaluate blood, urine, and other biological samples.
- Pathological interpretation: The critical skill of synthesizing findings from multiple diagnostic sources to form definitive conclusions about disease conditions.
- Disease diagnosis: Application of scientific knowledge and technical methods to identify and characterize illnesses in animal patients.
Veterinary Pathology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Veterinary Pathology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Veterinary Pathology degrees, including Veterinarians, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Animal Scientists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 312,820 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinarians 29-1131 | $125,510 | $70,350 - $212,890 | 80,630 | $60.34 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Animal Scientists 19-1011 | $79,120 | $48,440 - $235,750 | 2,470 | $38.04 |
Veterinary Pathology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $71,190 in Alaska to $157,515 in District of Columbia—a 121% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Arkansas, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 312,820 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Veterinary Pathology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 6 institutions offering Veterinary Pathology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Veterinary Pathology is found at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (13 graduates), Mississippi State University (MSU) (13 graduates), University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (8 graduates), University of Kentucky (UK) (6 graduates), and University of Missouri (Mizzou), Columbia (6 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 49 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Veterinary Pathology programs
How much can I earn with a Veterinary Pathology degree?
Salaries for Veterinary Pathology graduates vary by role and location. Veterinarians earn a median of $125,510 annually, while Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $105,620. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $157,515 compared to $71,190 in Alaska. Approximately 312,820 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Veterinary Pathology programs?
Currently 6 accredited institutions offer Veterinary Pathology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (13 graduates), Mississippi State University (MSU) (13 graduates), and University of Minnesota (UMN), Twin Cities (8 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Veterinary Pathology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Veterinarians, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and Animal Scientists. Related occupations employ approximately 312,820 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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