2026 Best Value Optometry Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI

For return on investment, no school beat Ferris State University this year in the United States. Located in Big Rapids, MI, Ferris State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Ferris State University Optometry students take on a median of $23,562 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%. Read the full report on Ferris State University

#2

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, OK

You'll get strong value at Northeastern State University, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Tahlequah, OK, Northeastern State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. The median Optometry program debt is $23,465. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%. See the full Northeastern State University profile

#3

Salus University

Elkins Park, PA

Out of the 25 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Salus University landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Elkins Park, PA. Get the full Salus University report

#4

Pikeville College

Pikeville, KY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pikeville College earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in Pikeville, KY, Pikeville College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,850. The median Optometry program debt is $22,966. Median earnings reach $48,231 ten years out. Set against $22,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Pikeville College

#5

University Of Houston

Houston, TX

A rank of #5 makes University Of Houston one of the best values in the United States. Set in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. The median Optometry program debt is $21,255. Median earnings reach $62,377 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%. Get the full University Of Houston report

#6

University Of The Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX

University Of The Incarnate Word ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Optometry schools. University Of The Incarnate Word is a private not-for-profit school based in San Antonio, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,090. Students borrow a median of $28,028 to complete their Optometry program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of The Incarnate Word

#7

University Of Alabama At Birmingham

Birmingham, AL

University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public school based in Birmingham, AL. 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. University Of Alabama At Birmingham alumni report median earnings of $54,501 a decade after entry. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Alabama At Birmingham

#8

Suny College Of Optometry

New York, NY

Suny College Of Optometry landed the #8 spot for value 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

#9

Indiana University Bloomington

Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Optometry schools. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,742. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington has an acceptance rate of 78%. More on Indiana University Bloomington

#10

Pacific University

Forest Grove, OR

Pacific University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Located in Forest Grove, OR, Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,374. Pacific University Optometry students take on a median of $26,170 in debt. Median earnings reach $60,583 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,170 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Pacific University report

#11

Midwestern University Glendale

Glendale, AZ

Midwestern University Glendale landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Glendale, AZ. Get the full Midwestern University Glendale report

#12

University Of California Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Optometry schools. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. The median Optometry program debt is $14,238. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $92,446. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants. Read more about University Of California Berkeley

#13

Western University Of Health Sciences

Pomona, CA

Western University Of Health Sciences offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Pomona, CA, Western University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Western University Of Health Sciences profile

#14

Midwestern University Downers Grove

Downers Grove, IL

Midwestern University Downers Grove offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Downers Grove, IL, Midwestern University Downers Grove is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Midwestern University Downers Grove

#15

University Of Missouri St Louis

Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis placed #15 among the best-value Optometry schools in the United States. Located in Saint Louis, MO, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical Optometry student debt is $25,943. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,037. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%. More on University Of Missouri St Louis

#16

Ohio State University Main Campus

Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete their Optometry program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,409. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Ohio State University Main Campus

#17

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. Nova Southeastern University Optometry students take on a median of $25,021 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,209. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%. Read the full report on Nova Southeastern University

#18

Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences

Boston, MA

Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences placed #18 among the best-value Optometry schools in the United States. Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $40,530. Typical Optometry student debt is $29,056. Graduates go on to earn a median of $125,557 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,056 median debt. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences report

#19

Southern California College Of Optometry

Fullerton, CA

Southern California College Of Optometry ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Optometry schools. Set in Fullerton, CA, Southern California College Of Optometry is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Southern California College Of Optometry report

#20

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry

Bayamon, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bayamon, PR. More on Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry

#20

Illinois College Of Optometry

Chicago, IL

Illinois College Of Optometry landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. More on Illinois College Of Optometry

#22

Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions

Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions

#23

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #23 among the best-value Optometry schools in the United States. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Pembroke

#24

Southern College Of Optometry

Southern College Of Optometry offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Get the full Southern College Of Optometry report

#25

New England College Of Optometry

New England College Of Optometry came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on New England College Of Optometry