In rural America, veterinarians are more than just doctors — they are the backbone of thriving animal agriculture communities and essential partners in local economies. They care for livestock that sustain our agricultural industry, keep beloved pets healthy, detect and control diseases that can spread from animals to people, and stand on the front lines of disease surveillance to protect U.S. agriculture. At Oklahoma State University, leaders are deeply committed to tackling the challenges facing rural communities, from strengthening the veterinary workforce to supporting the future of animal agriculture.
With a historic $250 million state appropriation — the largest in the university’s history — and a $79 million allocation in 2023, OSU is set to transform veterinary medicine in Oklahoma. Plans are underway for a 255,000-square-foot facility to replace the current 145,376-square-foot veterinary teaching hospital. This investment is more than new walls and equipment; it’s a commitment to strengthening the veterinary workforce of today and tomorrow, ensuring Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers have the expertise they need for generations.
The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination is a key milestone for every aspiring veterinarian and a requirement to practice in all U.S. licensing jurisdictions. The OSU College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2025 earned an impressive pass rate of over 97%. Of these graduates, 43 are serving communities across Oklahoma, with nearly 37% joining large or mixed-animal practices. As this class begins its careers, a new chapter opens for the Class of 2029. This incoming group of 106 students — 69 of them Oklahoma residents — brings an average undergraduate GPA of 3.66. Notably, the number of in-state seats increased by 11, reinforcing OSU’s commitment to training veterinarians who will stay and serve locally.
In fall 2025, eight OSU veterinary students were selected for the prestigious Oklahoma Rural Veterinary Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Program. Established under the Dr. Lee Denney Act, the program offers up to $100,000 to students who commit to serving in rural communities with population under 25,000. The initiative both reduces the financial burden of education and expands access to veterinary care where it is most needed.
OSU has also launched the Center for Rural Veterinary Medicine, dedicated to addressing veterinary workforce shortages, strengthening rural economies, and advancing sustainable practices. The Center’s charter faculty bring expertise from the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Ferguson College of Agriculture, and the Center for Health Sciences. Through innovative curricula, targeted programs, and impactful research, the Center aims to equip veterinarians for rural success, expand services to animal agriculture, and prepare graduates for the evolving technical and business demands of modern practice.
Plans include a strong service component for underserved areas, along with outreach to recruit, mentor, and coach the next generation of veterinarians. In the coming years, the Center expects to build research-focused collaborations with industry partners, stakeholder organizations, and other universities — laying the groundwork for lasting impact in rural veterinary care.
