2026 Best Optometry Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Optometry doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 25 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Doctoral Degree 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. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bayamon, PR. See the full Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry profile
A rank of #2 makes Salus University one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Elkins Park, PA. Get the full Salus University report
Out of the 25 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Illinois College Of Optometry landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. See the full Illinois College Of Optometry profile
A rank of #4 makes Midwestern University Glendale one of the top choices in the United States. Midwestern University Glendale is a private not-for-profit school based in Glendale, AZ. Read more about Midwestern University Glendale
You'll be in good company at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #5 this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical Optometry student debt is $20,542. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington
Midwestern University Downers Grove placed #6 among Optometry schools in the United States. Midwestern University Downers Grove is a private not-for-profit school based in Downers Grove, IL. More on Midwestern University Downers Grove
Pacific University placed #7 among Optometry schools in the United States. Set in Forest Grove, OR, Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,374. Typical Optometry student debt is $26,170. More on Pacific University
University Of Houston placed #8 among Optometry schools in the United States. Based in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. University Of Houston posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. University Of Houston Optometry students take on a median of $21,255 in debt. Get the full University Of Houston report
Ferris State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. This public school is set in Big Rapids, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete their Optometry program here. Get the full Ferris State University report
Suny College Of Optometry ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. Based 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 placed #11 among Optometry schools in the United States. Located in San Antonio, TX, University Of The Incarnate Word is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,090. Typical Optometry student debt is $28,028. Read the full report on University Of The Incarnate Word
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Ohio State University Main Campus Optometry students take on a median of $22,053 in debt. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
Northeastern State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. Northeastern State University is a public school based in Tahlequah, OK. About 35% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. The median Optometry program debt is $23,465. Read the full report on Northeastern State University
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. This public school is set in Saint Louis, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Get the full University Of Missouri St Louis report
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Set in Birmingham, AL, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates 64% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. The median Optometry program debt is $26,162. More on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Southern California College Of Optometry came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fullerton, CA. Read the full report on Southern California College Of Optometry
Western University Of Health Sciences placed #18 among Optometry schools in the United States. Located in Pomona, CA, Western University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Western University Of Health Sciences report
Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in Boston, MA, Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Students from in state pay about $40,530 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $29,056 in student loans. Read more about Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences
Pikeville College landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in Pikeville, KY, Pikeville College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. In-state tuition and fees average $24,850. Graduates carry a median of $22,966 in student loans. See the full Pikeville College profile
Nova Southeastern University did well this year, earning the #21 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,700. Graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Read the full report on Nova Southeastern University
Southern College Of Optometry placed #22 among Optometry schools in the United States. See the full Southern College Of Optometry profile
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke did well this year, earning the #23 position. More on University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. Read the full report on Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions
New England College Of Optometry landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. More on New England College Of Optometry
Related Optometry Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Optometry Schools (All Levels)
- 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
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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