Doctor’s Degrees in Optometry
Education Levels of Optometry Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 1,780 people earned their doctor's degree in optometry. This makes it the 15th most popular doctor's degree program in the country.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in optometry at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Doctor’s Degree | 1,780 |
| Graduate Certificate | 9 |
Earnings of Optometry Majors With Doctor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a doctor's degree in optometry is $107,293. A lot of factors can contribute to this number, such as the location of your workplace and the availability of other perks and bonuses. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $106,728 to a high of $116,094.
Student Debt
We do not have the data to calculate the median and range of debt loads for optometry students who are doctor's degree holders.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their doctor's degree in optometry. About 70.8% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 519 |
| Women | 1,261 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of optometry doctor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 457 |
| Black or African American | 61 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 140 |
| White | 749 |
| International Students | 153 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 220 |
Most Popular Optometry Programs for Doctor’s Degrees
There are 23 colleges that offer a doctor’s degree in optometry. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
Salus University tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for optometry majors who are seeking their doctor's degree. Roughly 1,200 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 166 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from Salus University. About 75% of this group were women, and 42% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their doctor's degree in optometry at Salus University make a median salary of 107,293.
The 2nd most popular school in the country for optometry majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is New England College of Optometry. Each year, around 500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 137 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from New England College of Optometry. Of these students, 77% were women and 34% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that New England College of Optometry graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $107,293.
Southern College of Optometry comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in optometry. Each year, around 500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 134 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from Southern College of Optometry. Around 27% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 73% were women. Southern College of Optometry optometry graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $107,293.
Illinois College of Optometry is the 4th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in optometry. Each year, around 500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 126 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from Illinois College of Optometry. Around 42% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 70% were women. Illinois College of Optometry optometry graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $107,293.
Nova Southeastern University is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in optometry. Each year, around 20,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $35,880 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $22,890 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 107 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from NUS Florida. Of these students, 72% were women and 63% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their doctor's degree in optometry at Nova Southeastern University make a median salary of 107,293.
University of Houston comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in optometry. Each year, around 47,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,685 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,723 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 105 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from UH. Around 67% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 66% were women. Those who complete their doctor's degree in optometry at University of Houston make a median salary of 107,293.
Marshall B Ketchum University comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in optometry. Each year, around 700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 98 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from MBKU. Of these students, 74% were women and 62% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that MBKU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $107,293.
The 8th most popular school in the country for optometry majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is SUNY College of Optometry. Each year, around 400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 90 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from SUNY Optometry. Around 54% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 72% were women. Those who complete their doctor's degree in optometry at SUNY College of Optometry make a median salary of 107,293.
The 9th most popular school in the country for optometry majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is Pacific University. Roughly 3,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $53,174 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $37,228 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 88 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from Pacific. Of these students, 67% were women and 7% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Pacific graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $107,293.
Indiana University - Bloomington is the 10th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in optometry. Roughly 43,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,312 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,133 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 84 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from IU Bloomington. Of these students, 74% were women and 18% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their doctor's degree in optometry at Indiana University - Bloomington make a median salary of 107,293.
Western University of Health Sciences comes in at #11 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in optometry. Roughly 3,800 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 75 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from Western University of Health Sciences. About 74% of this group were women, and 71% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Western University of Health Sciences optometry graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $107,293.
Ohio State University - Main Campus comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in optometry. Each year, around 61,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,826 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,515 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 65 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from Ohio State. Of these students, 61% were women and 15% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their doctor's degree in optometry at Ohio State University - Main Campus make a median salary of 107,293.
The 13th most popular school in the country for optometry majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is University of California - Berkeley. Each year, around 42,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 64 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from UC Berkeley. Around 83% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 81% were women. Data shows that UC Berkeley graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $107,293.
The 13th most popular school in the country for optometry majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is University of the Incarnate Word. Each year, around 7,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $33,700 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,800 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 64 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from UIW. Around 61% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 73% were women. University of the Incarnate Word optometry graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $107,293.
University of Pikeville comes in at #15 on our list of the most popular colleges offering doctor's degrees in optometry. Each year, around 2,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $24,000 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,550 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 55 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from UPIKE. About 78% of this group were women, and 18% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Pikeville optometry graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $107,293.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in optometry. Roughly 7,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $37,620 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $24,840 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 53 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from MCPHS University. Of these students, 73% were women and 43% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that MCPHS University graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $107,293.
The 17th most popular school in the country for optometry majors who are seeking their doctor's degree is University of Alabama at Birmingham. Roughly 22,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,832 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $8,424 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 50 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from UAB. Around 28% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 65% were women. University of Alabama at Birmingham optometry graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $107,293.
Midwestern University - Glendale is the 17th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in optometry. Each year, around 3,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 50 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from Midwestern University - Glendale. About 57% of this group were women, and 30% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Midwestern University - Glendale optometry graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $107,293.
University of Missouri - St Louis is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in optometry. Each year, around 13,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,400 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $14,736 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 47 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from UMSL. About 55% of this group were women, and 5% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UMSL graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $107,293.
Midwestern University - Downers Grove is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a doctor's degree in optometry. Roughly 2,900 attend the school each year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 41 people received their doctor's degree in optometry from Midwestern University - Downers Grove. Of these students, 65% were women and 50% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Midwestern University - Downers Grove optometry graduates who receive their doctor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $107,293.
Explore Major by State
Alabama
Arkansas
Connecticut
Florida
Idaho
Iowa
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Nebraska
New Jersey
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Vermont
West Virginia
Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to optometry that offer doctor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Medicine | 29,168 |
| Rehabilitation Professions | 16,935 |
| Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences | 13,508 |
| Nursing | 13,058 |
| Dentistry | 6,928 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.