Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians at Rochester Community and Technical College

Rochester Community and Technical College's vet tech program outperforms most programs nationally but sits in the middle of the pack within Minnesota—and those state comparisons matter most since Minnesota has only four schools offering this credential. Your child would graduate with exceptionally low debt ($21,250 versus $18,000 nationally), yet still earn slightly above the national median. Among Minnesota's limited options, Ridgewater College shows marginally better outcomes at similar debt levels.

The concerning pattern here is the earnings decline: graduates earn less four years out than they do immediately after graduation. This isn't unusual in veterinary technology, where many technicians face burnout or shift to related fields, but it's worth understanding before committing. The debt load remains manageable either way—at a 0.55 ratio, your child would owe roughly half their first-year salary, which is reasonable by today's standards.

Given the small sample size (under 30 graduates), these numbers could shift considerably year to year. What's clearer is the field itself: vet tech work is emotionally demanding with modest pay regardless of where you train. If your child is committed to animal care, this program won't saddle them with crushing debt. Just know that the slightly higher cost compared to Minnesota's other options doesn't translate to meaningfully better earnings outcomes.