Curriculum
Cornell University
College of Veterinary Medicine

Career Readiness

Setting the Stage for Career Success

Business Acumen

Cornell is home to the Center for Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship (CVBE), which provides an extensive veterinary business course catalog to support future career advancement. Among the many elective courses offered by the CVBE, students can receive advanced training in

  • personal finance
  • veterinary contracts and negotiations
  • practice ownership and management

Interested students can elect to complete a Certificate in Veterinary Business and Management, which arms them with valuable knowledge and skills for future business, financial, and career success.

Problem-solving

Many Cornell grads attribute their success to our curriculum that fosters creative problem-solving and helps build independent lifelong learning skills.

students graduating

Every one of the faculty really cares about you and wants you to succeed. The thing is, I know exactly where I can go after I graduate, which is really powerful.

Rayne Ellington-Lawrence, D.V.M. '18

Where Do Our Graduates Go?

Most of our students receive job or training program acceptance offers before they graduate, with alumni going on to careers in primary care practice, specialty practice, biomedical research, conservation medicine, academia, and beyond.

  • 51% of students aim to work at a private practice; 44% plan to do an internship or residency
  • 72% plan to work with small animals; 13% with large animals; 15% have other plans

(based on 2020 AVMA Cornell Graduating Senior Survey)

National Boards (NAVLE)

Licensing

The national licensing examination for veterinary medicine is the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). Historically, Cornell students have performed very well on this exam and they continue to pass at a high rate. Results for the recent years for Cornell students at the time of graduation are below.

NAVLE pass rates for the last five years
Year Cornell Pass Rate All Schools
Class of 2023 98% 86%
Class of 2022 97% 90%
Class of 2021 98% 92%
Class of 2020 97% 95%
Class of 2019 98% 94%

Accreditation

The College of Veterinary Medicine is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education. The next scheduled accreditation review will be in 2024.