2026 Best Optometry Schools
Looking for the best Optometry programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 25 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Optometry Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry to be the best Optometry school in the United States. Based in Bayamon, PR, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry report
You'll be in good company at Salus University, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Elkins Park, PA. Read more about Salus University
The strong Optometry programs at Illinois College Of Optometry earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in Chicago, IL, Illinois College Of Optometry is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Illinois College Of Optometry
Midwestern University Glendale came in at #4 on this year's Optometry ranking in the United States. Located in Glendale, AZ, Midwestern University Glendale is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Midwestern University Glendale
You'll be in good company at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Indiana University Bloomington Optometry students take on a median of $20,542 in debt. Read the full report on Indiana University Bloomington
Midwestern University Downers Grove placed #6 among Optometry schools in the United States. Set in Downers Grove, IL, Midwestern University Downers Grove is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Midwestern University Downers Grove
Pacific University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Forest Grove, OR. About 67% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $56,374. Typical Optometry student debt is $26,170. More on Pacific University
University Of Houston ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. This public school is set in Houston, TX. University Of Houston posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete their Optometry program here. Read the full report on University Of Houston
Ferris State University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Ferris State University is a public school based in Big Rapids, MI. Ferris State University graduates 56% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. The median Optometry program debt is $23,562. Read more about Ferris State University
Suny College Of Optometry landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Located in New York, NY, Suny College Of Optometry is a public institution. Get the full Suny College Of Optometry report
University Of The Incarnate Word did well this year, earning the #11 position. University Of The Incarnate Word is a private not-for-profit school based in San Antonio, TX. About 50% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,090. Graduates carry a median of $28,028 in student loans. See the full University Of The Incarnate Word profile
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
University Of California Berkeley came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. University Of California Berkeley Optometry students take on a median of $14,238 in debt. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Northeastern State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. Set in Tahlequah, OK, Northeastern State University is a public institution. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. More on Northeastern State University
University Of Missouri St Louis did well this year, earning the #15 position. University Of Missouri St Louis is a public school based in Saint Louis, MO. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. University Of Missouri St Louis Optometry students take on a median of $25,943 in debt. Get the full University Of Missouri St Louis report
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #16 in this year's ranking. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public school based in Birmingham, AL. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical Optometry student debt is $26,162. Read the full report on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Southern California College Of Optometry came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Fullerton, CA, Southern California College Of Optometry is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Southern California College Of Optometry
Western University Of Health Sciences came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pomona, CA. Get the full Western University Of Health Sciences report
Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Boston, MA, Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,530. Students borrow a median of $29,056 to complete their Optometry program here. See the full Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences profile
Pikeville College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Pikeville College is a private not-for-profit school based in Pikeville, KY. Pikeville College graduates 42% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,850. Students borrow a median of $22,966 to complete their Optometry program here. See the full Pikeville College profile
Nova Southeastern University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Lauderdale, FL. About 63% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,700. The median Optometry program debt is $25,021. See the full Nova Southeastern University profile
New England College Of Optometry placed #22 among Optometry schools in the United States. More on New England College Of Optometry
Southern College Of Optometry landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Southern College Of Optometry report
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. Read the full report on Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions
Best Optometry Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Optometry Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Optometry Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Optometry Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Optometry Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Optometry Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Optometry Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Optometry Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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