Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians at Butler Community College

Veterinary technician programs in Kansas produce modest outcomes, and Butler's estimated figures—$36,090 in first-year earnings against $16,500 in debt—align closely with what similar programs nationally report. That debt load sits between the Kansas median of $13,059 and the national median of $18,000, while earnings match the national benchmark almost exactly. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 means roughly 5.5 months of gross income would cover the full loan amount, which is manageable on paper.

The challenge is that these are industry-wide realities, not just estimates. Even programs with actual reported data, like Colby's $36,184 and Wichita State's $32,901, show earnings clustering in the mid-$30,000s—a ceiling that reflects what veterinary practices typically pay technicians. That creates a narrow financial margin: comparable programs suggest your child would be earning around $3,000 monthly before taxes to service loans and cover living expenses in their first year.

For families where $16,500 in debt feels manageable and animal healthcare work is a genuine calling, this path can work—the debt burden won't become crushing. But if your child is uncertain about the career or if financing would require additional private loans beyond this estimate, the limited earnings growth potential in this field deserves serious consideration before committing.