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Compare the Best Optometry Schools in the US - Plus Quiz

Matt Geller, OD

Matt Geller, OD

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Which optometry school is right for you? Use our catalog and quiz to find the best-fit program for your needs.
Compare the Best Optometry Schools in the US - Plus Quiz

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 2022, the national NBEO pass rate was 87.77%, and most optometry programs had similar individual pass rates. However, the pass rates of a handful of programs hovered around 85%, and the University of Pikeville, Kentucky College of Optometry had the lowest NBEO pass rate at 60.00%.
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 2023, 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 $35,094 per year for in-state students. For non-resident students, the direct expenses averaged $50,325 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 $130,188.90! 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 4 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?

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. In 2022, average OAT scores ranged from 281 to 344.
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
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: 92.31%
  • Location: Birmingham, AL
  • Last accreditation date: 2017
  • Tuition: $9,947 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: 16 positions; 3 on-site and 5 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
  • Graduate programs offered: OD/MBA, OD/MPH, OD/MS, MS, and PhD
  • Class size 2023: 49
  • Date founded: 1969

Arizona College of Optometry, Midwestern University

  • Average GPA: 3.60
  • Average OAT score: 307
  • NBEO pass rate: 98.04%
  • Location: Glendale, AZ
  • Last accreditation date: 2013
  • Tuition: $53,197 annually
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
  • Residency programs offered: 7 positions; 2 on-site and 5 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
  • Graduate programs offered: No
  • Class size 2023: 67
  • Date founded: 2009

Southern California College of Optometry, Marshall B. Ketchum University

  • Average GPA: 3.50
  • Average OAT score: 341
  • NBEO pass rate: 90.29%
  • Location: Fullerton, CA
  • Last accreditation date: 2023
  • 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: 58 positions; 2 on-site and 28 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
  • Graduate programs offered: OD/MS and MS
  • Class size 2023: 103
  • Date founded: 1904

School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley

  • Average GPA: 3.57
  • Average OAT score: 340
  • NBEO pass rate: 98.39%
  • Location: Berkeley, CA
  • Last accreditation date: 2016
  • Tuition: $22,521.75 per semester for in-state students; $28,644.25 per semester for out-of-state students
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
  • Residency program offered: 19 positions; 7 on-site and 5 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
  • Graduate programs offered: PhD
  • Class size 2023: 65
  • Date founded: 1923

College of Optometry, Western University of Health Sciences

  • Average GPA: 3.20
  • Average OAT score: 309
  • NBEO pass rate: 66.67%
  • Location: Pomona, CA
  • Last accreditation date: 2022
  • Tuition: $42,580 annually
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
  • Residency program offered: 2 positions; 2 on-site
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
  • Graduate programs offered: No
  • Class size 2023: 78
  • Date founded: 2009

College of Optometry, Nova Southeastern University

  • Average GPA: 3.51
  • Average OAT score: 329
  • NBEO pass rate: 90.72%
  • Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Last accreditation date: 2021
  • Tuition: $40,500 annually
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
  • Residency program offered: 40 positions; 9 on-site and 14 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
  • Graduate programs offered: MS
  • Class size 2023: 105
  • Date founded: 1989

Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University

  • Average GPA: 3.41
  • Average OAT score: 300
  • NBEO pass rate: 95.45%
  • Location: Downers Grove, IL
  • Last accreditation date: 2020
  • Tuition: $47,424 annually, one-time equipment fee of $4,653
  • 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 2023: 68
  • Date founded: 2017

Illinois College of Optometry

  • Average GPA: 3.48
  • Average OAT score: 319
  • NBEO pass rate: 96.97%
  • 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: 25 positions; 4 on-site and 9 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 2023: 116
  • Date founded: 1872

School of Optometry, Indiana University

  • Average GPA: 3.75
  • Average OAT score: N/A
  • NBEO pass rate: 85.51%
  • Location: Bloomington, IN
  • Last accreditation date: 2023
  • 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: 25 positions; 4 on-site and 10 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
  • Graduate programs offered: MS, MBA, and PhD
  • Class size 2023: 83
  • Date founded: 1956

Kentucky College of Optometry, University of Pikeville

  • Average GPA: 3.30
  • Average OAT score: 301
  • NBEO pass rate: 60.00%
  • Location: Pikeville, KY
  • Last accreditation date: 2020
  • Tuition: $46,250 annually
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
  • Residency program offered: 3 positions; 1 on-site and 2 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
  • Graduate programs offered: No
  • Class size 2023: 65
  • Date founded: 2016

School of Optometry, MCPHS University

  • Average GPA: 3.40
  • Average OAT score: 313
  • NBEO pass rate: Not listed
  • Location: Worcester, MA
  • Last accreditation date: 2018
  • Tuition: $49,140 annually and $1,470 equipment fee per semester year 1; $1,290 equipment fee per semester year 2
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
  • Residency program offered: No
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): 3+4 BS/OD program
  • Graduate programs offered: OD/MPH
  • Class size 2023: 63
  • Date founded: 2012

New England College of Optometry

  • Average GPA: 3.47
  • Average OAT score: 331
  • NBEO pass rate: 89.29%
  • Location: Boston, MA
  • Last accreditation date: 2022
  • Tuition: $46,316 for year 1 and $3,525 equipment fee
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Optometry-only
  • Residency program offered: 41 positions; 5 on-site and 13 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
  • Graduate programs offered: Accelerated Optometry Degree, OD/MS, OD/PhD, and MS
  • Class size 2023: 136
  • Date founded: 1894

Michigan College of Optometry, Ferris State University

  • Average GPA: 3.69
  • Average OAT score: 332
  • NBEO pass rate: 91.67%
  • Location: Big Rapids, MI
  • Last accreditation date: 2013
  • Tuition: $40,420 annually
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
  • Residency program offered: 12 positions; 2 on-site and 7 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): Yes; 3+4 Admissions Program
  • Graduate programs offered: No
  • Class size 2023: 38
  • Date founded: 1975

St. Louis College of Optometry, University of Missouri

  • Average GPA: 3.451
  • Average OAT score: 316
  • NBEO pass rate 2022: 94.59%
  • Location: St. Louis, MO
  • Last accreditation date: 2016
  • Tuition: $14,080 per semester for in-state students; $23,240 per semester for out-of-state students
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
  • Residency program offered: 11 positions; 2 on-site and 6 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): Yes, 4+4 Program
  • Graduate programs offered: No
  • Class size 2023: 43
  • Date founded: 1980

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

  • Average GPA: 3.60
  • Average OAT score: 344
  • NBEO pass rate: 93.68%
  • Location: New York, NY
  • Last accreditation date: 2019
  • Tuition: $30,710 for in-state students; $51,660 for out-of-state students
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
  • Residency program offered: 41 positions; 9 on-site and 10 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): Yes; 3/4 Joint Degree Program
  • Graduate programs offered: OD/MBA, OD/MS, OD/PhD, MS, and PhD
  • Class size 2023: 99
  • Date founded: 1971

The Ohio State University College of Optometry

  • Average GPA: 3.68
  • Average OAT Score: 342
  • NBEO Pass Rate: 95.65%
  • 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: 27 positions; 3 on-site and 12 affiliated
  • Undergraduate Degree Program (Joint Degree): BSVS
  • Graduate Programs Offered: MS and PhD
  • Class Size 2023: 71
  • Date Founded: 1914

Oklahoma College of Optometry, Northeastern State University

  • Average GPA: 3.60
  • Average OAT score: 316
  • NBEO pass rate: 96.30%
  • Location: Tahlequah, OK
  • Last accreditation date: 2022
  • Tuition: $20,700 years 1 and 4 for in-state students and $27,354 years 2 and 3 for in-state students; $41,050 years 1 and 4 for out-of-state students and $54,246 years 2 and 3 for out-of-state students
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
  • Residency program offered: 22 positions; 4 on-site and 10 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
  • Graduate programs offered: No
  • Class size 2023: 28
  • Date founded: 1979

College of Optometry, Pacific University

  • Average GPA: 3.55
  • Average OAT score: 328
  • NBEO pass rate: 85.06%
  • Location: Forest Grove, OR
  • Last accreditation date: 2015
  • Tuition: $48,620 year 1 tuition and fees
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
  • Residency program offered: 25 positions; 2 on-site and 14 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): BAVS and BSVS
  • Graduate programs offered: MS, MEd, and PhD
  • Class size 2023: 91
  • Date founded: 1945

Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University

  • Average GPA: 3.36
  • Average OAT score: 300
  • NBEO pass rate: 83.89%
  • Location: Elkins Park, PA
  • Last accreditation date: 2016
  • Tuition: $47,810 annually
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Multi-disciplinary
  • Residency program offered: 45 positions; 5 on-site and 15 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 2023: 149
  • Date founded: 1917

School of Optometry, Inter American University of Puerto Rico

  • Average GPA: 3.18
  • Average OAT score: 281
  • NBEO pass rate: 68.75%%
  • 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 position; 1 on-site
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
  • Graduate programs offered: No
  • Class size 2023: 59
  • Date founded: 1981

Southern College of Optometry

  • Average GPA: 3.69
  • Average OAT score: 335
  • NBEO pass rate: 97.50%
  • Location: Memphis, TN
  • Last accreditation date: 2021
  • Tuition: $28,718 annually for in-state students and $41,536 annually for non-regional students
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Optometry-only
  • Residency program offered: 62 positions; 5 on-site and 29 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
  • Graduate programs offered: OD/MBA and OD/MPH
  • Class size 2023: 134
  • Date founded: 1932

College of Optometry, University of Houston

  • Average GPA: 3.64
  • Average OAT score: 340
  • NBEO pass rate: 89.36%
  • Location: Houston, TX
  • Last accreditation date: 2023
  • 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: 15 positions; 8 on-site and 4 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
  • Graduate programs offered: OD/MS, OD/PhD, MS, and PhD
  • Class size 2023: 97
  • Date founded: 1952

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: 18 positions; 2 on-site and 8 affiliated
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): BSVS, 3+4 program
  • Graduate programs offered: MS and PhD
  • Class size 2023: 70
  • Date founded: 2009

College of Optometry, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions

  • Average GPA: N/A
  • Average OAT score: N/A
  • NBEO pass rate: N/A
  • Location: Provo, UT
  • Last accreditation date: Preliminary Approval 2022
  • Tuition: $46,204 annually
  • Multi-disciplinary program or optometry-only: Optometry-only
  • Residency program offered: No
  • Undergraduate degree program (joint degree): No
  • Graduate Programs Offered: No
  • Class size 2023: 64 (projected)
  • Date founded: 2022

Return to the quiz!

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

Matt Geller, OD
About Matt Geller, OD

Matt Geller, OD is the co-founder and CEO of CovalentCreative - an independently owned digital marketing agency that provides content, creative, and technology services for forward-thinking eyecare organizations. CovalentCreative is the parent company of EyesOnEyecare.com - a digital publication that focuses on providing clinical and career education to the up-and-coming generation of optometrists and ophthalmologists.

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