2026 Best Optometry Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Optometry graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 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.
So you can compare your options, 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
University Of California Berkeley earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Optometry student debt is $14,238. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
You'll be in good company at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #2 this year. Read the full report on Indiana University Bloomington
The strong Optometry programs at Salus University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Read the full report on Salus University
Out of the 25 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Northeastern State University landed the #4 spot. Read the full report on Northeastern State University
Out of the 25 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #5 spot. See the full University Of Alabama At Birmingham profile
Pacific University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. Get the full Pacific University report
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. See the full University Of Missouri St Louis profile
Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences came in at #8 in this year's ranking. More on Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences
Illinois College Of Optometry landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Illinois College Of Optometry report
Southern College Of Optometry placed #10 among Optometry schools in the United States. Read the full report on Southern College Of Optometry
New England College Of Optometry placed #11 among Optometry schools in the United States. Get the full New England College Of Optometry report
University Of Houston landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Houston
Ferris State University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Read more about Ferris State University
Suny College Of Optometry landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. More on Suny College Of Optometry
Western University Of Health Sciences did well this year, earning the #15 position. More on Western University Of Health Sciences
University Of The Incarnate Word did well this year, earning the #16 position. Read the full report on University Of The Incarnate Word
Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. See the full Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions profile
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #18 in this year's ranking. More on University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. More on Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry
Midwestern University Downers Grove came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Read more about Midwestern University Downers Grove
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #21 among Optometry schools in the United States. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
Pikeville College did well this year, earning the #22 position. More on Pikeville College
Nova Southeastern University placed #23 among Optometry schools in the United States. Read the full report on Nova Southeastern University
Midwestern University Glendale did well this year, earning the #24 position. See the full Midwestern University Glendale profile
Southern California College Of Optometry placed #25 among Optometry schools in the United States. More on Southern California College Of Optometry
Related Optometry Rankings
Compare rankings at 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Optometry Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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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