Animal Health Technologies at Western Iowa Tech Community College

Sioux City, IA · Public · Certificate · Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians

a compact campus enrolling 2,589 students in Sioux City, IA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,355 place Western Iowa Tech Community College below the $32,474 national median for Animal Health Technologies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 55.1x 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.

At #77 of 169 Animal Health Technologies programs, Western Iowa Tech Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

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.

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
49
Score
49
High End
Earnings $26,355/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (71% shielded)
Job Market Large (63,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$278K
1.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
55.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
3 of 3
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$5,042
Out-of-state: $5,186

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 Western Iowa Tech Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Animal Health Technologies at Western Iowa Tech Community College?
This program scores 49/100 — on the lower end for Animal Health Technologies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Is Western Iowa Tech Community College a good choice for Animal Health Technologies despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Western Iowa Tech Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
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 →