Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 139 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$138,507 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
—Modeled economic break-even
−116%Modeled 10-year ROI
$43,115Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$43,115Median reported earnings · year 4
$39,171Average reported earnings · year 5
$18,255Median federal debt
34thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
139Reporting programs
137With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $34,788
- Federal debt
- $8,227
- Reporting programs
- 60
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $43,115
- Federal debt
- $18,255
- Reporting programs
- 139
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $41,690
- Federal debt
- $26,323
- Reporting programs
- 13
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$38,379National median$43,11575th percentile$46,358
137 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1CUNY LaGuardia Community College$66,2722Los Angeles Pierce College$55,7633Manor College$55,2334San Diego Mesa College$53,9125Northern Virginia Community College$53,8906Suffolk County Community College$52,9767Bergen Community College$52,7558Stanbridge University$52,6519Community College of Denver$52,20910Truckee Meadows Community College$51,320Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal CaretakersSOC 31-9096 · 2 crosswalk linksVeterinary Technologists and TechniciansSOC 29-2056 · 2 crosswalk linksHealth Specialties Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1071 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY LaGuardia Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Long Island City, NY | $66,272 | Not available | +108% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | Los Angeles Pierce CollegeAssociate's Degree | Woodland Hills, CA | $55,763 | Not available | -8% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Manor CollegeAssociate's Degree | Jenkintown, PA | $55,233 | $29,750 | -12% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | San Diego Mesa CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Diego, CA | $53,912 | Not available | -12% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | Northern Virginia Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Annandale, VA | $53,890 | $21,101 | -19% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | Suffolk County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Selden, NY | $52,976 | Not available | -21% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | Bergen Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Paramus, NJ | $52,755 | $21,000 | -30% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | Stanbridge UniversityAssociate's Degree | Irvine, CA | $52,651 | $19,500 | -58% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | Community College of DenverAssociate's Degree | Denver, CO | $52,209 | $17,750 | -34% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | Truckee Meadows Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Reno, NV | $51,320 | Not available | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | Connecticut State Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | New Britain, CT | $50,326 | Not available | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Windward Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Kaneohe, HI | $50,249 | $14,490 | -51% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Portland Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Portland, OR | $49,418 | $21,000 | -60% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | San Juan CollegeAssociate's Degree | Farmington, NM | $49,376 | $19,500 | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | York County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Wells, ME | $49,193 | $17,449 | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | Massasoit Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Brockton, MA | $49,110 | Not available | -62% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | Miami Dade CollegeAssociate's Degree | Miami, FL | $48,841 | Not available | -62% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | New England Institute of TechnologyAssociate's Degree | East Greenwich, RI | $48,474 | Not available | -79% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | Lone Star College SystemAssociate's Degree | The Woodlands, TX | $48,427 | Not available | -70% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | Gwinnett Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lawrenceville, GA | $48,391 | $18,750 | -67% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | Joliet Junior CollegeAssociate's Degree | Joliet, IL | $48,069 | $9,562 | -67% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | Great Bay Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Portsmouth, NH | $47,991 | $18,000 | -75% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | Blue Ridge Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Weyers Cave, VA | $47,854 | $16,562 | -76% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | Metropolitan Community College-Kansas CityAssociate's Degree | Kansas City, MO | $47,501 | $7,934 | -77% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | Dallas CollegeAssociate's Degree | Dallas, TX | $47,111 | $16,040 | -78% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Pima Medical Institute-AlbuquerqueAssociate's Degree | Albuquerque, NM | $47,105 | $19,046 | -84% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | North Shore Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Danvers, MA | $47,080 | Not available | -81% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Macomb Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Warren, MI | $46,832 | Not available | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | Fox CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tinley Park, IL | $46,606 | $14,722 | -86% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Hillsborough CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tampa, FL | $46,457 | Not available | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | St Petersburg CollegeAssociate's Degree | St. Petersburg, FL | $46,358 | $18,830 | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Columbus State Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Columbus, OH | $46,055 | Not available | -90% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Pima Medical Institute-AuroraAssociate's Degree | Aurora, CO | $45,901 | $19,015 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | Pima Medical Institute-PhoenixAssociate's Degree | Phoenix, AZ | $45,901 | $19,015 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Mt San Antonio CollegeAssociate's Degree | Walnut, CA | $45,374 | Not available | -96% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | SUNY College of Technology at DelhiAssociate's Degree | Delhi, NY | $45,297 | $12,000 | -98% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | Bel-Rea Institute of Animal TechnologyAssociate's Degree | Denver, CO | $44,975 | $26,772 | -100% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Carrington College-SacramentoAssociate's Degree | Sacramento, CA | $44,873 | $20,000 | -101% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | Carrington College-San Leandro CampusAssociate's Degree | San Leandro, CA | $44,873 | $20,000 | -101% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | Carrington College-San JoseAssociate's Degree | San Jose, CA | $44,873 | $20,000 | -101% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | Carrington College-Pleasant Hill CampusAssociate's Degree | Pleasant Hill, CA | $44,873 | $20,000 | -101% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | Carrington College-StocktonAssociate's Degree | Stockton, CA | $44,873 | $20,000 | -101% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | Lehigh Carbon Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Schnecksville, PA | $44,790 | Not available | -102% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | Jefferson State Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Birmingham, AL | $44,770 | Not available | -102% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | Rochester Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rochester, MN | $44,584 | $21,250 | -103% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | Pima Medical Institute-TucsonAssociate's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $44,359 | $21,151 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 47 | Pima Medical Institute-SeattleAssociate's Degree | Seattle, WA | $44,359 | $21,151 | -104% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | Pima Medical Institute-Chula VistaAssociate's Degree | Chula Vista, CA | $44,359 | $21,151 | -104% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | Pima Medical Institute-Colorado SpringsAssociate's Degree | Colorado Springs, CO | $44,359 | $21,151 | -104% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | Pima Medical Institute-Las VegasAssociate's Degree | Las Vegas, NV | $44,359 | $21,151 | -105% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | Pima Medical Institute-RentonAssociate's Degree | Renton, WA | $44,359 | $21,151 | -104% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Pima Medical Institute-East ValleyAssociate's Degree | Mesa, AZ | $44,359 | $21,151 | -105% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | Pima Medical Institute-HoustonAssociate's Degree | Houston, TX | $44,359 | $21,151 | -105% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Pima Medical Institute-El PasoAssociate's Degree | El Paso, TX | $44,359 | $21,151 | -105% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | Pima Medical Institute-San MarcosAssociate's Degree | San Marcos, CA | $44,359 | $21,151 | -104% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Pima Medical Institute-San AntonioAssociate's Degree | San Antonio, TX | $44,359 | $21,151 | -105% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | Ulster County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Stone Ridge, NY | $43,988 | $12,854 | -110% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Asheville, NC | $43,794 | Not available | -111% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | Holyoke Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Holyoke, MA | $43,182 | Not available | -117% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | Vermont State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Randolph, VT | $43,115 | Not available | -115% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | Pima Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $42,889 | $9,819 | -122% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | University of Maine at AugustaAssociate's Degree | Augusta, ME | $42,875 | Not available | -119% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | Northampton County Area Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bethlehem, PA | $42,858 | Not available | -119% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusAssociate's Degree | Durham, NH | $42,665 | Not available | -117% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | Central Carolina Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Sanford, NC | $42,196 | $9,899 | -128% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | SUNY College of Technology at CantonAssociate's Degree | Canton, NY | $42,094 | $14,297 | -124% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | Tri-County Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pendleton, SC | $42,077 | $18,218 | -124% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | Northeast Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Norfolk, NE | $42,059 | Not available | -127% | Negative payoff |
| 69 | Iowa Western Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Council Bluffs, IA | $41,974 | Not available | -125% | Negative payoff |
| 70 | Harcum CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bryn Mawr, PA | $41,892 | $22,531 | -122% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | Madison Area Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Madison, WI | $41,811 | $16,500 | -127% | Negative payoff |
| 72 | Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma CityAssociate's Degree | Oklahoma City, OK | $41,721 | $12,750 | -131% | Negative payoff |
| 73 | Gaston CollegeAssociate's Degree | Dallas, NC | $41,298 | $11,000 | -136% | Negative payoff |
| 74 | Front Range Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Westminster, CO | $41,212 | $22,228 | -133% | Negative payoff |
| 75 | Platt College-Los AngelesAssociate's Degree | Alhambra, CA | $41,193 | $12,999 | -126% | Negative payoff |
| 76 | Platt College-OntarioAssociate's Degree | Ontario, CA | $41,193 | $12,999 | -129% | Negative payoff |
| 77 | Platt College-RiversideAssociate's Degree | Riverside, CA | $41,193 | $12,999 | -128% | Negative payoff |
| 78 | Platt College-AnaheimAssociate's Degree | Anaheim, CA | $41,193 | $12,999 | -128% | Negative payoff |
| 79 | Kirkwood Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Cedar Rapids, IA | $40,964 | Not available | -137% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | Colby Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Colby, KS | $40,419 | $12,000 | -143% | Negative payoff |
| 81 | Genesee Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Batavia, NY | $40,380 | Not available | -143% | Negative payoff |
| 82 | Baker CollegeAssociate's Degree | Owosso, MI | $40,259 | $19,603 | -141% | Negative payoff |
| 83 | Vet Tech Institute of IndianaAssociate's Degree | Indianapolis, IN | $40,213 | $13,624 | -139% | Negative payoff |
| 84 | Cuyahoga Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Cleveland, OH | $40,057 | Not available | -150% | Negative payoff |
| 85 | Ridgewater CollegeAssociate's Degree | Willmar, MN | $40,054 | $14,171 | -145% | Negative payoff |
| 86 | Mesa Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Mesa, AZ | $39,973 | Not available | -144% | Negative payoff |
| 87 | Morehead State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Morehead, KY | $39,600 | Not available | -149% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | Camden County CollegeAssociate's Degree | Blackwood, NJ | $39,490 | Not available | -154% | Negative payoff |
| 89 | University of Cincinnati-Main CampusAssociate's Degree | Cincinnati, OH | $39,427 | $16,545 | -139% | Negative payoff |
| 90 | University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash CollegeAssociate's Degree | Blue Ash, OH | $39,427 | $16,545 | -145% | Negative payoff |
| 91 | Vet Tech InstituteAssociate's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $38,774 | $14,984 | -151% | Negative payoff |
| 92 | Parkland CollegeAssociate's Degree | Champaign, IL | $38,567 | Not available | -161% | Negative payoff |
| 93 | Lincoln Memorial UniversityAssociate's Degree | Harrogate, TN | $38,379 | $15,500 | -151% | Negative payoff |
| 94 | Sinclair Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Dayton, OH | $38,325 | Not available | -165% | Negative payoff |
| 95 | Crowder CollegeAssociate's Degree | Neosho, MO | $38,267 | Not available | -162% | Negative payoff |
| 96 | SUNY College of Technology at AlfredAssociate's Degree | Alfred, NY | $37,936 | $14,500 | -159% | Negative payoff |
| 97 | Columbia State Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Columbia, TN | $37,930 | Not available | -171% | Negative payoff |
| 98 | YTI Career Institute-YorkAssociate's Degree | York, PA | $37,797 | $16,829 | -160% | Negative payoff |
| 99 | University of Nebraska-LincolnAssociate's Degree | Lincoln, NE | $37,386 | $12,625 | -161% | Negative payoff |
| 100 | Nebraska College of Technical AgricultureAssociate's Degree | Curtis, NE | $37,386 | $12,625 | -164% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.