Illinois Is Getting Another Vet School and It Comes With a Full Teaching Hospital
Midwestern University just scored a major win for veterinary education in the Midwest. Its Downers Grove Campus has received state approval to launch a four year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program through the proposed Chicago College of Veterinary Medicine. For a profession facing workforce shortages and rising clinical demands, this approval signals meaningful momentum. On November 12, 2025, the Illinois Board of Higher Education authorized Midwestern University to confer the D.V.M. degree. This green light moves the institution one step closer to full accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education and brings Illinois closer to expanding its veterinary education footprint.
Illinois currently has only one veterinary medical school. As clinics across the country grapple with staffing challenges, burnout, and increased caseloads, the need for well trained veterinarians has never been more urgent. A second in state veterinary program offers new opportunities for students who want to train closer to home while strengthening the regional workforce. Midwestern University is not new to veterinary education. Its Glendale, Arizona campus has offered a D.V.M. program since 2012, giving the institution a proven foundation to build upon. The proposed Chicago College of Veterinary Medicine will draw on that experience while tailoring its approach to the needs of Illinois and the broader Midwest.
One of the most compelling aspects of the new program is its planned full service teaching hospital. A companion animal clinic is expected to open in spring 2027, ahead of the first student cohort. This early opening allows systems, workflows, and clinical partnerships to be established before students arrive. For millennial and Gen Z learners who value hands on experience and real world readiness, this model checks key boxes. Clinical exposure supported by a comprehensive hospital environment helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and practice life. It also reflects how veterinary education is evolving to better prepare graduates for the pace and complexity of modern medicine.
Leadership at the proposed college emphasizes training veterinarians who are not only clinically skilled but also compassionate and community minded. The program aims to support animal health, public health, and the human animal bond while equipping graduates to thrive in diverse career paths. Pending accreditation approval, the first class is expected to matriculate in 2028. When it does, students will enter a program designed with contemporary veterinary challenges in mind, from advanced diagnostics to client communication and team based care.
The approval of Midwestern University’s D.V.M. program is more than an academic milestone. It represents investment in the future of veterinary medicine at a time when access to care and workforce sustainability are top concerns. For Illinois veterinarians and those considering entering the profession, this development is a reason for optimism. As accreditation progresses and construction moves forward, the Chicago College of Veterinary Medicine has the potential to become a significant contributor to veterinary education in the Midwest and beyond.
