When it comes to future careers, few are better suited to the medical field than veterinary science.

Veterinarians are responsible for diagnosing and treating the health problems of a wide range of animals, from dogs and cats to horses, birds, and even cattle and sheep.

Today, there are more than 70,000 veterinarians working in the United States, and the field is expected to grow by 5% over the next few years.

That growth is expected to be fueled in large part by the growing number of pets in the country. Today, nearly 70% of U.S. households have at least one pet, and that number is expected to grow as the population of pet owners continues to grow.

The need for veterinarians is only going to grow as the human population grows and more people acquire pets.

But becoming a veterinarian is no easy task. The process to become a doctor is long and difficult, and the same goes for veterinarians.

While there are many steps involved in becoming a veterinarian, one of the most important is selecting a veterinary school.

Veterinary schools are crucial to the future of the field because they train the next generation of veterinarians.

To become a veterinarian, students must complete a four-year degree program in veterinary science, which includes hands-on training with animals and research opportunities.

The right veterinary school can make all the difference in a student's future. It can be the difference between a student who loves the field and a student who is just going through the motions.

With so many options, it can be difficult to decide which veterinary school is the best fit.

That’s why today, we’re going to break down the best veterinary schools in the nation, based on the schools’ placement in the U.S. News & World Report rankings of the best colleges in the country.

Here are the best veterinary colleges in Missouri.

When it comes to veterinary schools, it's hard to find better value than Crowder College. The school, which is located in Neosho, Missouri, has an annual cost of $10,800 for in-state students and $13,300 for out-of-state students.

That tuition is among the lowest in the nation, putting CC among the top ten schools nationwide when compared by cost with comparable schools. What's more, these low tuition costs are paired with high student satisfaction.

The school also boasts above-average ratings in faculty and facilities.

When it comes to facilities, Crowder College has everything future veterinarians need to succeed. The school has a state-of-the-art veterinary teaching hospital, which features 18 exam rooms and a new surgery suite.

Additionally, students have access to a clinical skills laboratory, where they can practice on a mannequin that simulates various conditions, such as shock and sepsis.

With these top-notch facilities and a cost of tuition that is among the lowest in the nation, it's no wonder that Crowder College is considered a hidden gem among veterinary schools.

The Midwest Institute of Veterinary Medical Education (MIVE) is a branch of the University of Missouri located in Columbia, Missouri. MIVE has two goals: to train future veterinarians and conduct research that will improve animal health.

To accomplish these goals, MIVE trains students in four core areas: animal health, veterinary public health, veterinary clinical sciences, and veterinary laboratory sciences. Students gain hands-on experience in the lab, clinic, and hospital as they learn to care for animal patients.

Students also have the opportunity to research animal-related topics as participants in the Animal Health Institute. The institute supports research projects that enhance animal and public health, as well as the economy and the environment.

With a 3.7:1 student to faculty ratio, MIVE provides its students with individualized attention from instructors and access to state-of-the-art facilities.

The school also prioritizes animal health by working with the University of Missouri Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

The animal health diagnostic laboratory provides testing services to the public and animal health professionals. The lab tests for bacteria, fungi, parasites, immunological problems, and diseases of unknown origin.

The Veterinary Teaching Hospital cares for sick and injured animals, conducts research, and trains students. The hospital features 24 inpatient rooms, a large animal ICU, and a surgery suite.

Veterinary science students at Northwest Missouri State University get a wide range of practical experience thanks to the school's affiliation with the Marshfield Clinic, the largest veterinary medical practice in the United States.

The university and clinic work together to provide students with opportunities to work with a variety of animals, in a variety of settings. The clinic has more than 5,000 regular patients, ranging from dogs and cats to horses, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, and various birds.

Northwest Missouri is home to several other institutions that allow students to gain hands-on experience. The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center in Columbia provides care for a range of animals, while the Kansas State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital cares for dogs, cats, horses, and livestock.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in research programs at Northwest Missouri, where they can work with faculty members on projects that could impact animal health and welfare. Recent projects have focused on the treatment of equine sarcosynovitis, the prevalence of certain bacteria in the Marshfield Clinic system, and the effects of climate change on ecosystems.

The university maintains strong ties with its nearby sister school, Northwest Missouri State University-Scotland, which offers students an international study program. In Scotland, students can take classes and participate in internships related to the country's veterinary education program.

The College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri is one of only seven accredited veterinary schools in the nation that offers a dual degree program with another health profession.

In addition to a wide range of undergraduate and graduate veterinary courses, including a variety of animal health and production courses, the school partners with the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources' food animal production and health tracks to provide its students with enhanced, in-field experience.

The combination of coursework and in-field experience provided by the University of Missouri allows its students to gain a more complete view of veterinary medicine, beyond caring for animals, as well as an in-depth understanding of animal health.

The school takes a progressive approach to veterinary education, blending theory with hands-on experience in an effort to train practitioners who are not only highly knowledgeable but also well-trained and able to make quick and sound decisions.

Uniting theory and practice is one of the school's four main goals, alongside increasing the number of students, faculty, and staff, as well as enhancing research and service activities.

Unsurprisingly, given its innovative approach to educating future veterinarians, the University of Missouri was recently ranked among the top 25 public colleges in the United States by Forbes.

Metropolitan Community College is part of the statewide Metropolitan Community College system, the second largest community college system in the nation. MCC has a total enrollment of over 70,000 students, of which over 11% are veterinary technician students.

The two-year associate degree in veterinary technology at MCC gives students the practical, hands-on experience they need to excel in their careers. Coursework includes anatomy and physiology, animal health care and management, and animal health diagnostics, as well as extensive lab work and field experience.

Students also gain experience through the veterinary technology student association, which hosts activities and events that promote professionalism and a supportive community. The association also raises money for scholarships and charitable causes.

Through the MCC affiliation with Kansas State University, students can take advantage of enhanced online resources, including a virtual pet clinic and online library resources.

Established in 1812, Jefferson College is a private liberal arts college located in the city of Hillsboro, Missouri.

While the school does not currently offer veterinary programs, it does have a history of offering veterinary degrees through its Department of Basic Sciences.

In 1999, Jefferson College discontinued its veterinary program, citing limited resources and faculty.

However, the college's Department of Basic Sciences still provides an excellent education in the sciences, as evidenced by its high rankings from the National Academy of Foresnic Health Professional Colleges rankings.

The Department of Basic Sciences offers two tracks for undergraduates, leading to either a bachelor of science or a associate of arts degree.

Students in the Department of Basic Sciences can also earn a Master of Arts in Teaching degree, which prepares them to teach biology, earth science, or general sciences at the high school level.

Jefferson College is affiliated with the Missouri Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, which allows students to take courses toward their teaching certification alongside their regular bachelor's or associate's degrees.