Veterinary Technology Degree in Athens, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Veterinary Technology degree analysis for Athens, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$49K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Athens
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Veterinary Technology in Athens, GA Overview
Athens, Georgia (pop. 127,064) has 11 colleges offering Veterinary Technology programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $743/month. Veterinary Technology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Animal Handling and Lab Diagnostics skills. The adjusted starting salary in Athens is approximately $51,500.
Category
Agriculture
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$12,080/yr
Private Tuition
$42,791/yr
Room & Board
$10,251/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,146/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
50%
Veterinary Technology Salary in Athens (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Athens's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Veterinary Technology salary: $50,000 starting, $48,000 mid-career, $55,000 senior level.Athens adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Veterinary Technology ROI Calculator for Athens
Estimate your return on investment for a Veterinary Technology degree using local Athens tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,080 | Private avg: $42,791
Athens avg aid: $13,146/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,324
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,450
vs HS diploma in Athens
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Athens
$116,676
Lifetime earnings premium ($206,000) minus total education cost ($89,324)
Student Loan Payoff for Veterinary Technology in Athens
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Athens for Veterinary Technology
University of Georgia
public
$12,080/yr
$48,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Athens Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Veterinary Technology in Athens
Athens offers opportunities in Agribusiness, Government agencies, Research institutes for Veterinary Technology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Athens Hiring Sectors for Agriculture
Agribusiness
Government agencies
Research institutes
Food companies
Conservation orgs
Common Veterinary Technology Job Titles
Veterinary Technology in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$42K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Augusta, GA
$42K starting · COL 83
11 colleges
Macon, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$48K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$54K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Agriculture Majors in Athens
Veterinary Technology Degree in Athens — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Veterinary Technology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Athens.