Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians at Ulster County Community College
Associate's Degree
Analysis
Ulster County Community College's vet tech program sits in an uncomfortable middle position: it beats most national programs but falls below the New York state median of $37,771. Among the eight schools offering this program in New York, graduates here earn less than peers at comparable SUNY programs while carrying similar debt loads around $13,000.
The real concern isn't the debt—at $12,854, it's actually manageable relative to first-year earnings. The problem is the earnings trajectory. Graduates see income decline from $37,346 to $35,254 over four years, which is unusual even for veterinary technicians (a field not known for rapid salary growth). Compare this to CUNY LaGuardia, where vet techs earn $50,281, or even Canton and Delhi SUNY programs where earnings hold steadier in the $37,000-$38,000 range.
That said, these numbers come from a very small graduating class, so individual circumstances could vary significantly. For a student committed to staying in the Hudson Valley area, the low debt load means career flexibility even if salaries stay modest. But families should seriously consider whether other SUNY vet tech programs might offer better earning potential for similar tuition costs.
Where Ulster County Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all veterinary/animal health technologies/technicians associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Ulster County Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Ulster County Community College graduates earn $37k, placing them in the 69th percentile of all veterinary/animal health technologies/technicians associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians associates's programs at peer institutions in New York (8 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ulster County Community College | $37,346 | $35,254 | $12,854 | 0.34 |
| CUNY LaGuardia Community College | $50,281 | — | — | — |
| SUNY College of Technology at Canton | $38,064 | $37,103 | $14,297 | 0.38 |
| SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | $37,771 | $38,921 | $12,000 | 0.32 |
| SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | $36,293 | $37,402 | $14,500 | 0.40 |
| National Median | $36,090 | — | $18,000 | 0.50 |
Other Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians Programs in New York
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across New York schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY LaGuardia Community College Long Island City | $5,218 | $50,281 | — |
| SUNY College of Technology at Canton Canton | $8,689 | $38,064 | $14,297 |
| SUNY College of Technology at Delhi Delhi | $8,710 | $37,771 | $12,000 |
| SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred | $8,862 | $36,293 | $14,500 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Ulster County Community College, approximately 16% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.