What’s the best optometry school?
While pass rates are crucial, you must also judge your prospective programs on factors like:
- Location
- Tuition
- Type of program
- Class size
How much does the schooling cost to become an optometrist?
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Return to the quiz!
Check what 497 optometry students had to say about optometry school in the 2023 Optometry Student Report!