Compare the Best Optometry Schools in the US

What’s the best optometry school?

There's no "best" optometry school; like any graduate program, optometry schools can be judged on a variety of criteria. Perhaps the most important for prospective students is a school’s NBEO pass rate: the percentage of students who pass the optometry board exams each year.

In 2021, the national NBEO pass rate was 92.46%, and most optometry programs had similar individual pass rates. However, the pass rates of a handful of programs hovered around 85%, and the MCPHS School of Optometry had the lowest NBEO pass rate at 75.00%.

While pass rates are crucial, you must also judge your prospective programs on factors like:

Location
Tuition
Type of program
Class size

It's also important to consider factors like the date the optometry program was founded, whether or not the school offers residency programs, and where the program is located.

As of 2022, there are 24 accredited optometry schools in the United States. Take our quiz to find out which might be the best fit for you, and then read the program details, like the average GPA, OAT scores, and more below.

How much does the schooling cost to become an optometrist?

Optometry school can be quite expensive. Based on data collected by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), the average cost of optometry school, including tuition, fees, books, and instruments, was $38,665 per year for in-state students. For non-resident students, the direct expenses averaged $47,165 per year. That being said, optometry school tuition ranges greatly between programs, from $20,000 per year to nearly $55,000 per year.

This is why optometry student debt is so high: average student loan debt among optometrists is at least $87,800! Fortunately, optometrists can also expect high salaries, even in their first years out of optometry school, hastening their ability to pay off student loans.

Check out our student loan payoff calculator to see how long it will take you to pay off all your loans!

How long is optometry school?

Optometry school generally takes four years to complete. However, some schools offer combined undergraduate and optometry degrees, either in agreement with other universities or at their home university. These 3+4 programs allow students to complete their undergraduate degrees in 3 years before entering optometry school. You can see which schools offer these programs in the catalog below in the row labeled "Undergraduate degree program."

Some optometry schools also offer accelerated degree programs, which are 36-month intensive programs. These programs are currently offered by New England College of Optometry and Salus University.

How difficult is it to get into optometry school?

Getting into optometry school is challenging but not prohibitive. Also, it's important to note that competitive applicants are often invited to an interview portion following a review of their application materials.

For the majority of schools, an applicant must complete these steps to apply:

Complete the OptomCAS application
Complete the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) - some schools will accept GRE scores
Submit your official transcript with your GPA and proof you have completed any prerequisite coursework
Submit two letters of recommendation
Complete an essay prompt
Any program-specific requirements

The average GPA for admitted optometry school applicants in 2022 was 3.55; in fact, many optometry schools urge applicants to have a minimum GPA of 3.00. This year, average OAT scores ranged from 281 to 344.

If you have a low GPA, you might find optometry coursework challenging. However, if you’re a motivated worker, have done work in the field, have an outgoing personality, and have a lengthy list of relevant extracurricular activities, you’ll definitely have a fair chance of getting accepted. Optometry is a very people-oriented profession, so even if you didn’t excel in all of your undergraduate classes but are very people-oriented and compassionate, you could still excel in optometry.

Start your applications early (late summer, early fall) and create a timeline for when all aspects of applications are due.

Read on for a breakdown of optometry schools by state!

School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Average GPA: 3.63
Average OAT score: 321
NBEO pass rate: 97.78%
Location: Birmingham, AL
Last accreditation date: 2017
Tuition: $9,657 per term for in-state students; $18,004 per term for out-of-state students
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 3 on-site; 5 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
Graduate programs offered: OD/MBA, OD/MPH, OD/MS, MS, and PhD
Class size 2022: 56
Date founded: 1969

Website: http://www.uab.edu/optometry

Arizona College of Optometry, Midwestern University

Average GPA: 3.60
Average OAT score: 307
NBEO pass rate: 96.00%
Location: Glendale, AZ
Last accreditation date: 2013
Tuition: $46,239 annually, year 1 equipment fee of $4,249
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency programs offered: 2 on-site; 5 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): Yes; Dual Acceptance Program with Benedictine University, DePaul University, Elmhurst University, Lake Forest University, Lewis University, and Arizona Christian University
Graduate programs offered: No
Class size 2022: 66
Date founded: 2009

Website: https://www.midwestern.edu/admissions/apply/doctor-of-optometry-in-glendale.xml?

Southern California College of Optometry, Marshall B. Ketchum University

Average GPA: 3.50
Average OAT score: 341
NBEO pass rate: 93.94%
Location: Fullerton, CA
Last accreditation date: 2016
Tuition: $45,360 for year 1 and $46,860 for years 2, 3, and 4
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 2 on-site; 29 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
Graduate programs offered: OD/MS and MS
Class size 2022: 100
Date founded: 1904

Website: http://www.ketchum.edu/optometry

School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley

Average GPA: 3.57
Average OAT score: 340
NBEO pass rate: 96.92%
Location: Berkeley, CA
Last accreditation date: 2016
Tuition: $21,669 per semester for in-state students; $27,791.50 per semester for out-of-state students
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 7 on-site; 6 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
Graduate programs offered: PhD
Class size 2022: 69
Date founded: 1923

Website: http://optometry.berkeley.edu

College of Optometry, Western University of Health Sciences

Average GPA: 3.20
Average OAT score: 309
NBEO pass rate: 85.14%
Location: Pomona, CA
Last accreditation date: 2022
Tuition: $42,580 annually
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 2 on-site
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
Graduate programs offered: No
Class size 2022: 80
Date founded: 2009

Website: http://www.westernu.edu/optometry

College of Optometry, Nova Southeastern University

Average GPA: 3.51
Average OAT score: 329
NBEO pass rate: 96.26%
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Last accreditation date: 2021
Tuition: $34,424 for in-state students; $38,997 for out-of-state students
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 4 on-site; 13 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
Graduate programs offered: MS
Class size 2022: 105
Date founded: 1989

Website: http://optometry.nova.edu/

Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University

Average GPA: 3.41
Average OAT score: 300
NBEO pass rate: 97.78%
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Last accreditation date: 2020
Tuition: $46,043 annually, one-time equipment fee of $4,517
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: No
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): Yes; Dual Acceptance Program with Benedictine University, DePaul University, Elmhurst University, Lake Forest University, Lewis University, and Arizona Christian University
Graduate programs offered: No
Class size 2022: 61
Date founded: 2017

Website: https://www.midwestern.edu/admissions/apply/doctor-of-optometry-in-downers-grove.xml?

Illinois College of Optometry

Average GPA: 3.48
Average OAT score: 319
NBEO pass rate: 96.88%
Location: Chicago, IL
Last accreditation date: 2017
Tuition: $43,941 for year 1 and $4,108 equipment fees, $58,588 for year 2 and $4,164 equipment fees, $55,270 for year 3, and $33,987 for year 4
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Optometry-only
Residency program offered: 4 on-site; 10 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): BSVS; The BSVS degree is not a terminal degree and does not connote graduation from the Illinois College of Optometry. It is available only to those students who entered ICO without a Bachelor's degree.
Graduate programs offered: No
Class size 2022: 119
Date founded: 1872

Website: http://www.ico.edu

School of Optometry, Indiana University

Average GPA: 3.75
Average OAT score: N/A
NBEO pass rate: 92.68%
Location: Bloomington, IN
Last accreditation date: 2013
Tuition: $32,952 year 1 for in-state students and $6,498 books and equipment fee; $45,488 year 1 for out-of-state students and $6,498 books and equipment fee
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 6 on-site; 11 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
Graduate programs offered: MS, MBA, and PhD
Class size 2022: 91
Date founded: 1956

Website: http://www.optometry.iu.edu

Kentucky College of Optometry, University of Pikeville

Average GPA: 3.30
Average OAT score: 301
NBEO pass rate: 81.48%
Location: Pikeville, KY
Last accreditation date: 2020
Tuition: $45,000 annually
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 1 on-site; 2 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
Graduate programs offered: No
Class size 2022: 64
Date founded: 2016

Website: http://www.upike.edu/KYCO

School of Optometry, MCPHS University

Average GPA: 3.40
Average OAT score: 313
NBEO pass rate: 75.00%
Location: Worcester, MA
Last accreditation date: 2018
Tuition: $47,100 annually and $1,351 equipment fee per semester year 1; $1,226 equipment fee per semester year 2
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: No
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): BS/OD
Graduate programs offered: OD/MPH
Class size 2022: 62
Date founded: 2012

Website: https://www.mcphs.edu/academics/school-of-optometry/optometry/optometry-od

New England College of Optometry

Average GPA: 3.47
Average OAT score: 331
NBEO pass rate: 89.39%
Location: Boston, MA
Last accreditation date: 2022
Tuition: $44,748 for year 1 and $3,450 equipment fee
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Optometry-only
Residency program offered: 3 on-site, 19 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
Graduate programs offered: Accelerated Optometry Degree, OD/MS, OD/PhD, and MS
Class size 2022: 138
Date founded: 1894

Website: http://www.neco.edu

Michigan College of Optometry, Ferris State University

Average GPA: 3.69
Average OAT score: 332
NBEO pass rate: 97.22%
Location: Big Rapids, MI
Last accreditation date: 2013
Tuition: $38,958 annually
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 2 on-site; 7 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): Yes; 3+4 Admissions Program
Graduate programs offered: No
Class size 2022: 38
Date founded: 1975

Website: http://www.ferris.edu/mco

St. Louis College of Optometry, University of Missouri

Average GPA: 3.451
Average OAT score: 316
NBEO pass rate 2022: 93.62%
Location: St. Louis, MO
Last accreditation date: 2016
Tuition: $26,562 per semester for in-state students; $43,848 per semester for out-of-state students
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 2 on-site; 7 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): Yes; 3+4 Program
Graduate programs offered: No
Class size 2022: 48
Date founded: 1980

Website: http://www.umsl.edu/divisions/optometry

College of Optometry, State University of New York (SUNY)

Average GPA: 3.60
Average OAT score: 344
NBEO pass rate: 93.26%
Location: New York, NY
Last accreditation date: 2019
Tuition: $29,820 for in-state students; $51,150 for out-of-state students
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 8 on-site; 12 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): Yes; 3/4 Joint Degree Program
Graduate programs offered: OD/MBA, OD/MS, OD/PhD, MBA, MS, and PhD
Class size 2022: 100
Date founded: 1971

Website: http://www.sunyopt.edu

The Ohio State University College of Optometry

Average GPA: 3.68
Average OAT Score: 342
NBEO Pass Rate: 96.97%
Location: Columbus, OH
Last Accreditation Date: 2020
Tuition: $27,474 year 1 for in-state students; $48,530 year 1 for out-of-state students; After successful completion of the first year, which will incur the standard $21,056 non-resident fee, out-of-state students will pay in-state tuition plus a $5.00 non-resident fee per semester for years 2 to 4 of the program
Multi-disciplinary Program or Optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency Program Offered: 3 on-site, 12 affiliated
Undergraduate Degree Program (Joint Degree): BSVS
Graduate Programs Offered: MS and PhD
Class Size 2022: 67
Date Founded: 1914

Website: http://optometry.osu.edu

Oklahoma College of Optometry, Northeastern State University

Average GPA: 3.60
Average OAT score: 316
NBEO pass rate: 86.36%
Location: Tahlequah, OK
Last accreditation date: 2022
Tuition: $20,175 years 1 and 4 for in-state students and $26,660 years 2 and 3 for in-state students; $40,225 years 1 and 4 for out-of-state students and $53,155 years 2 and 3 for out-of-state students
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 3 on-site; 9 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
Graduate programs offered: No
Class size 2022: 28
Date founded: 1979

Website: https://optometry.nsuok.edu/

College of Optometry, Pacific University

Average GPA: 3.55
Average OAT score: 328
NBEO pass rate: 95.40%
Location: Forest Grove, OR
Last accreditation date: 2015
Tuition: $46,925 year 1 and $6,404 equipment fee
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 2 on-site; 14 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): BAVS and BSVS
Graduate programs offered: MS, MEd, and PhD
Class size 2022: 97
Date founded: 1945

Website: http://www.pacificu.edu/optometry/

Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University

Average GPA: 3.36
Average OAT score: 300
NBEO pass rate: 85.37%
Location: Elkins Park, PA
Last accreditation date: 2016
Tuition: $45,150 annually
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 5 on-site; 17 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): Yes; 3+4 and 4+4 Articulation Agreements with 33 universities across Pennsylvania, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia
Graduate programs offered: Accelerated Optometry Degree and MS
Class size 2022: 146
Date founded: 1917

Website: http://www.salus.edu/optometry

School of Optometry, Inter American University of Puerto Rico

Average GPA: 3.18
Average OAT score: 281
NBEO pass rate: 85.71%
Location: Bayamon, PR
Last accreditation date: 2019
Tuition: $29,000 for years 1 and 2, $28,500 for year 3, and $27,750 for year 4
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Optometry-only
Residency program offered: 1 on-site
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
Graduate programs offered: No
Class size 2022: 62
Date founded: 1981

Website: http://www.optonet.inter.edu

Southern College of Optometry

Average GPA: 3.69
Average OAT score: 335
NBEO pass rate: 99.24%
Location: Memphis, TN
Last accreditation date: 2021
Tuition: $39,938 annually for non-regional students
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Optometry-only
Residency program offered: 3 on-site; 29 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
Graduate programs offered: OD/MBA and OD/MPH
Class size 2022: 136
Date founded: 1932

Website: http://www.sco.edu

College of Optometry, University of Houston

Average GPA: 3.64
Average OAT score: 340
NBEO pass rate: 94.23%
Location: Houston, TX
Last accreditation date: 2014
Tuition: $27,090 tuition and fees year 1 for in-state students; $46,106 tuition and fees year 1 for out-of-state students
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 7 on-site; 6 affiliated
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
Graduate programs offered: OD/MS, OD/PhD, MS, and PhD
Class size 2022: 100
Date founded: 1952

Website: http://www.opt.uh.edu

School of Optometry, University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg

Average GPA: 3.42
Average OAT score: 314
NBEO pass rate: 92.06%
Location: San Antonio, TX
Last accreditation date: 2021
Tuition: $45,998 tuition and fees for year 1
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
Residency program offered: 3 on-site; 8 affiliated; 1 sports vision fellowship
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): BSVS
Graduate programs offered: MS and PhD
Class size 2022: 73
Date founded: 2009

Website: www.uiw.edu/optometry

College of Optometry, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

Average GPA: N/A
Average OAT score: N/A
NBEO pass rate: N/A
Location: San Antonio, TX
Last accreditation date: Preliminary Approval 2022
Tuition: $169,090 total for the program
Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Optometry-only
Residency program offered: No
Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
Graduate Programs Offered: No
Class size 2022: 64 (projected)
Date founded: 2022

Website: https://rm.edu/optometry/

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Check what 497 optometry students had to say about optometry school in the 2023 Optometry Student Report!

Compare the Best Optometry Schools in the US - Plus Quiz