2026 Best Value Optometry Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Optometry graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 25 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Optometry Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Leading the list is University Of California Berkeley, our #1 best-value Optometry school in the United States. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. University Of California Berkeley Optometry students take on a median of $14,238 in debt. University Of California Berkeley alumni report median earnings of $92,446 a decade after entry. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 11% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois College Of Optometry earned it the #2 place in the United States. More on Illinois College Of Optometry
A rank of #3 makes Western University Of Health Sciences one of the best values in the United States. Read the full report on Western University Of Health Sciences
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry came in at #4 on this year's best-value Optometry ranking in the United States. More on Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry
Out of the 25 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Indiana University Bloomington landed the #5 spot. More on Indiana University Bloomington
Salus University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Optometry schools. More on Salus University
Suny College Of Optometry landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Suny College Of Optometry
Nova Southeastern University landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Nova Southeastern University profile
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #9 among the best-value Optometry schools in the United States. See the full University Of Missouri St Louis profile
Pacific University landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Pacific University
Southern California College Of Optometry landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Southern California College Of Optometry
Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions
Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. More on Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Optometry schools. Read the full report on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Optometry schools. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Southern College Of Optometry ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Optometry schools. Get the full Southern College Of Optometry report
New England College Of Optometry offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Read more about New England College Of Optometry
Midwestern University Glendale offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Read the full report on Midwestern University Glendale
University Of Houston placed #20 among the best-value Optometry schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Houston report
Midwestern University Downers Grove placed #21 among the best-value Optometry schools in the United States. See the full Midwestern University Downers Grove profile
Pikeville College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. See the full Pikeville College profile
Ferris State University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Ferris State University profile
Northeastern State University landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Northeastern State University
University Of The Incarnate Word placed #25 among the best-value Optometry schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of The Incarnate Word
Related Optometry Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Optometry Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Optometry Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Optometry Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Optometry Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Optometry Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Optometry Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Optometry Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 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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