Costs of studying veterinary science: a national survey of fourth year veterinary students

Objective To estimate the costs to the student of veterinary education. Method A questionnaire was completed by 180 fourth-year veterinary students from the four veterinary schools in Australia. Frequencies and median cost s were estimated using the SAS System for Windows 95. Results The median direct living costs were about $5000 per academic year, but were higher in Sydney and for those with additional expenses including children, pets and cars. Other costs associated with the course including t ext books, equipment and travel to practical work were of the order of $100 0, and income foregone while doing practical work placed additional burdens on some. More than half the students from Sydney and Murdoch needed to wor k to provide basic necessities. Most of this work involved interaction with animals or people. The percentage of Queensland and Melbourne students nee ding to work was lower, 47 and 24 respectively, and fewer of those worked d irectly with animals or people. The students expected to repay a median of $14,000 after they graduate, with 70% of this being due to the Australian g overnment as part of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme. Conclusions Although parents contributed an average of between one-third an d one half of the costs of obtaining a veterinary degree, the extent of par ental contributions was very uneven and almost one half of all students nee ded to work to provide basic necessities. The average total debt on graduat ion was about half the annual starting salary, but those starting the cours e from 1997 are subject to much higher charges, and their average debt is l ikely to exceed one year's salary.