Degree Program

Degree Awarded Upon Graduation

Graduating students earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology.  This occupational-focused degree qualifies graduates as candidates for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) and to apply for Veterinary Technician credentialing with their state credentialing agency.

Program Structure
  • Bel-Rea runs four full quarters per year and every class is offered each quarter!
  • The program is 134 quarter credit hours
  • Bel-Rea offers four start dates per year
Length of Program
  • The length of the standard full-time program is 24 months
  • Students can complete the program over a shorter period with approved college coursework, military coursework, or AP exam transfer credits
  • The maximum amount of attempted credits allowed is 1 1/2 times Bel-Rea’s standard program of 134 credits: 201 credits
2023 Occupational Information

From the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics:

  • Job Outlook for 2022-2032:  Expected to grow 21%much faster than the average for all occupations
  • Occupational Classification: Veterinary Technology – Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code 29-2056
  • Number of Jobs in 2022: 122,900

From Projections Central:

Board Exam Results

Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) 3-Year Summary for July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023:

  • Number of Bel-Rea graduates that took the VTNE for the first time:  214
  • Passing percentage for Bel-Rea graduates:  85.51%
  • Passing percentage for all US/Canada graduates:  68.71%
Cost

Program Cost:

Note:  Your tuition amount will not change throughout the program with continual enrollment!

  • Bel-Rea charges tuition by the quarter. In special circumstances (ie: the military TA program) the tuition may be broken down into a per credit hour charge.
  • Spring and Summer 2022 $32,900 with the per credit hour cost of $263
  • Starting in Fall 2022 $36,850 with the per credit hour cost of $275
  • Fees for labs, parking, etc.: $0
  • Approximate cost of books and supplies for the entire program: $2,000

2021 -2022 Approximate Cost of Living Expenses (outside of program):

  • Transportation for entire program:  $4,440
  • Room and board for entire program – with parents: $12,816
  • Room and board for entire program – away from parents: $31,584
Net Price Calculator

The Net Price Calculator is available to assist students in estimating the cost of attendance for a nine month period at Bel-Rea.  The estimate includes tuition, the approximate cost of books/supplies, and other potential expenses, along with an approximate amount of grant aid the student might expect to receive.  These costs are based on the 2021-2022 award year.  Federal Financial Aid and Veteran’s Benefits are available to those who qualify and are not included in this Net Price Calculator.

Financial Aid

Bel-Rea’s Financial Aid Program Codes:

  • OPEID Code: 012670
  • Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Code: 01.8301
  • 2 Digit Credential Level: 02 Associate Degree
Cohort Default Rate (CDR)

Bel-Rea’s 2020 3-Year Cohort Default Rate is 0.0%, which is well below the following national averages:

  • Proprietary schools with a 2 – 3 year program (same type of program as Bel-Rea):  4.1%
  • All schools:  2.3%

What is “cohort”?:  In regards to CDR, a cohort is a 3 year group of student loan borrowers in repayment on what they borrowed from Federal Financial Aid to attend a specific school.

What is “default”?:  If individuals default on their student loans, it means they failed to repay the money borrowed to attend school.

What is “CDR”?:  “The cohort default rate, or CDR, is one measure of how well a school prepares its students for student loan repayment.  Low CDRs indicated that schools are counseling their students to borrow as needed, stay aware of their repayment obligations, and understand the consequences of default.”

In other words, the lower the CDR percentage, the better!

U.S. Department of Education Cohort Default Rate report available at:  https://www2.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/defaultmanagement/schooltyperates.pdf

Employment/Placement Rates

Graduates from the graduation cohort are considered eligible for placement unless they meet one of the following five exemptions: Death, incarceration, active military service deployment, onset of a medical condition that prevents employment, or international students who return to their country of origin.

Employment by Cohort Start Date (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges/ACCSC format):

  • Starting dates of students included in 2023 Annual Report: April 2019 – January 2020
  • Number of students who completed the program: 62
  • Number of not eligible for placement: 0%
  • Number who reported employment in the field of veterinary technology: 54 graduates, an 87% employment rate
  • Number who reported pursuing further education: 0%
  • Number who reported employment in a different field: 0 graduates, 0%
  • Number unknown/not yet reported 8 graduates, 13%
Graduation Rates

Graduation Rate (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges/ACCSC format:

  • Starting dates of students included in 2023 Annual Report: April 2019 – January 2020
  • Number of starting students: 171
  • Number that completed the program: 62 students, a 36% graduation rate

Campus Alerts:

There are no alerts at this time

Need resources or have questions about campus security? Contact Stasi Bottinelli (Financial Aid Manager/ Title IX Coordinator) at bottinelli@belrea.edu or (303) 751-8700.