Animal Health Technologies at Des Moines Area Community College

Ankeny, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians

with a mid-sized student body of 10,406 in Ankeny, IA.

Program Analysis

Des Moines Area Community College's Animal Health Technologies graduates start at $38,962/yr — above the $32,474 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 37.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Animal Health Technologies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Animal Health Technologies's career paths, with 29% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 1% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,834 in median debt clears fast against $38,962 in annual earnings.

At #39 of 169 nationally, this is a top-5% Animal Health Technologies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

One registered apprenticeship pathway (Veterinary/Lab Animal Tech (Alternate Title: Animal Care Specialist) with a median wage of $37,320/yr) connects to Animal Health Technologies careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
53
Score
53
High End
Earnings $38,962/yr (20% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (71% shielded)
Job Market Large (63,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$39K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
37.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
3 of 3
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$11,100
Out-of-state: $22,200
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,834
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,359
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Animal Health Technologies graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Veterinary technologists and technicians $45,980 +9.1% 84%
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers $37,320 +8.7% 78%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Veterinary technologists and technicians
$45,980
+9.1% growth 84% AI-proof
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
$37,320
+8.7% growth 78% AI-proof

About Animal Health Technologies Careers

Your career begins on the front lines of animal care. You’ll be the one prepping a nervous dog for surgery, skillfully drawing blood for diagnostics, or running tests using lab equipment in a busy clinic or research facility. This is deeply hands-on work; you can’t comfort a frightened animal or assist in surgery from behind a computer screen. Your days are active, requiring both technical skill and compassion.

Read the full Animal Health Technologies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Animal Health Technologies Overview

Animal Health Technologies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Des Moines Area Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Animal Health Technologies at Des Moines Area Community College?
This program scores 53/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Animal Health Technologies graduates.
How affordable is Animal Health Technologies at Des Moines Area Community College?
At $9,834 in median debt, Animal Health Technologies graduates from Des Moines Area Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Why does Des Moines Area Community College rank so high for Animal Health Technologies?
Among 169 Animal Health Technologies programs, Des Moines Area Community College's #39 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
How many job openings are there for Animal Health Technologies graduates?
With approximately 63,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Animal Health Technologies offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →