The best optometry schools in the US include Ohio State, Southern College of Optometry, UC Berkeley, SUNY and UAB, all among the 24 ACOE-accredited Doctor of Optometry programs in the US and Puerto Rico. U.S. News does not rank optometry schools, so this list compares 10 programs on board pass rates, admissions, clinical training and tuition.
What are the best 10 optometry schools in the United States? Knowing how the leading programs compare helps you choose a school that works for you. Getting a great education improves your chances of personal and professional success in the field of optometry, and the right fit depends on what you value: board exam results, the size and setting of the school’s eye clinic, cost for your state of residence, or how competitive admission is.
10 Best Optometry Schools Compared
Ohio State and Southern College of Optometry had the highest share of graduates passing all three parts of the national board exam in 2024-25, at 98.33% and 95.31%, against a national figure of 82.49% (ASCO NBEO Institutional Yearly Performance Report, 2026). Admission is most selective at Ohio State and UC Berkeley, which admitted about one in five verified applicants for 2026 entry (ASCO Profile of Applicants, 2026).
| School | Location | Admitted per verified applicant (2026) | Average GPA, admitted | Average OAT Academic Average, admitted | Passed all NBEO parts (2024-25 graduates) | 2026-27 first-year tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State University College of Optometry | Columbus, OH | 20.5% | 3.84 | 361 | 98.33% | $32,955 resident / $54,011 nonresident |
| Southern College of Optometry | Memphis, TN | 48.8% | 3.52 | 334 | 95.31% | $48,540 |
| UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry | Berkeley, CA | 22.3% | 3.81 | 360 | 92.19% | $22,092.75 resident / $28,470.25 nonresident per semester |
| SUNY College of Optometry | New York, NY | 29.3% | 3.63 | 360 | 89.90% | $32,200 in-state / $53,230 out-of-state |
| UAB School of Optometry | Birmingham, AL | 27.4% | 3.64 | 326 | 89.09% | $33,930 resident / $55,335 nonresident |
| Illinois College of Optometry | Chicago, IL | 43.2% | 3.63 | 336 | 86.87% | $50,300 tuition and fees (2024-25) |
| Arizona College of Optometry, Midwestern University | Glendale, AZ | 24.2% | 3.68 | 336 | 85.00% | $50,037 |
| UMSL College of Optometry | St. Louis, MO | 32.2% | 3.54 | 319 | 83.72% | $15,280 resident / $25,232 nonresident per semester |
| Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 36.8% | 3.52 (Class of 2023) | 322 (Class of 2023) | 80.21% | $44,508 |
| University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry | Pikeville, KY | 34.8% | 3.34 | 299 | 74.55% | $49,950 |
Read the admit rates with care: ASCO counts every applicant a school admitted, and many admitted students enroll elsewhere, so the share of applicants who end up in each class is lower. Pass rates also depend on school policy; Southern College of Optometry, for example, requires students to pass Parts I and II before they graduate.
What to Look for in Optometry Schools
If you want to be an optometrist, then you need to know the best optometry schools, and every school you consider should hold accreditation from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), because state licensure requires a degree from an accredited program. The strongest optometry schools tend to feature:
- Experienced faculty who are active in clinical care and research
- A busy on-site eye clinic, plus externship sites where students see a wide range of patients
- Research programs and residency programs students can join after graduation
- High pass rates on all three parts of the national board exam
You can find optometry schools in most regions of the country. It takes a lot of work to get into one, study there, and then graduate. However, once you do, you’ll be among the vision care health professionals helping people see clearly in their lives. Before you apply, time spent with eye care teams shows you what the work involves; our pre-optometry internships place students with the eye department of a public hospital in Mombasa, Kenya, under the supervision of licensed clinicians.
Is there a U.S. News ranking of optometry schools?
No. U.S. News ranks 19 health disciplines, including audiology, pharmacy, physical therapy and physician assistant programs, but optometry is not one of them (U.S. News Best Health Schools, 2026). Lists that call themselves optometry school rankings are built by publishers using their own criteria, most often board pass rates. The most useful comparison is the one in the table above, using data each school reports to ASCO.
10 Best American Optometry Schools
How are the best optometry schools determined? Pass rate is one good criterion, and ASCO publishes each school’s national board results every year. However, there are other factors to consider. College Gazette ranked schools by an earlier year of those pass rates in 2022, and all 10 schools below appeared in its top 10. The schools are numbered for reference, not ranked: each profile covers what makes the program distinctive, its clinical training, admissions statistics and cost, so you can weigh the factors that matter to you.
1. Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University
Located in Glendale, Arizona, the Arizona College of Optometry is part of Midwestern University’s Glendale campus, where optometry students train in the university’s Eye Institute, which opened in October 2010. The four-year program enrolled 69 students in 2026, and the entering class averaged a 3.65 GPA (Midwestern University, 2026). On the 2024-25 national boards, 85.00% of Arizona’s graduates passed all three parts, above the 82.49% national figure (ASCO, 2026).
Arizona suits applicants who want to train in the Southwest and stay for postgraduate training: the college is affiliated with eight residency programs. Tuition for 2026-27 is $50,037, and Midwestern estimates first-year tuition and fees at $57,737 before about $39,325 in living expenses (Midwestern University, 2026-27). High scores in undergraduate science courses help applicants get in, but experiences with practicing optometrists also help a lot.
Acceptance Rate: 24.2% (189 admitted of 781 verified applicants, ASCO 2026)
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.65 (2026 entering class)
OAT Average: 336 Academic Average, admitted applicants (ASCO 2026)
Passed all NBEO parts: 85.00% (2024-25 graduates)
2026-27 tuition: $50,037
2. Illinois College of Optometry
Calling Chicago home since its founding in 1872, Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) is one of the oldest names in optometric education (ICO). Otto Frederick Rohwedder, the inventor of the bread-slicing machine, earned an optics degree in 1900 from the Northern Illinois College of Ophthalmology and Otology (Lemelson-MIT). Students train at the Illinois Eye Institute, and the fourth year is fully clinical, with more than 150 externship sites and 5 on-campus plus 10 affiliated residency programs.
ICO is also one of the largest programs on this list. The Class of 2029 enrolled 125 students from 706 applicants, after 323 interviews, with a mean OAT Total Science score of 331, and 38% of the class held a GPA of 3.70 or higher (ICO, Class of 2029). ICO reported 100 program completers in 2025 (ICO), and 86.87% of its 2024-25 graduates passed all three national board parts (ASCO, 2026). ICO suits students who want a large urban patient base and the widest choice of externships.
Acceptance Rate: 43.2% admitted per verified applicant (ASCO 2026); 125 of 706 applicants enrolled (Class of 2029)
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.63, admitted applicants (ASCO 2026)
OAT Average: 331 Total Science (Class of 2029)
Passed all NBEO parts: 86.87% (2024-25 graduates)
Tuition and fees: $50,300 (2024-25)
3. Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) College of Optometry in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, enrolled its first class in 1989 and offers a traditional four-year Doctor of Optometry track and a five-year extended track for students who want a lighter course load (NSU). Students train in NSU’s Eye Care Institute, which runs five locations with more than 35,000 patient visits a year, and at more than 60 externship sites. Graduates can apply to 2 NSU residencies and 14 affiliated programs.
NSU is Florida’s only optometry school and one of the larger programs on this list, with 105 first-year students in fall 2025 (ASCO Annual Student Data Report, 2025-26). For 2026 entry, NSU admitted 289 of 786 verified applicants, about 36.8% (ASCO, 2026); NSU’s own most recent published profile, for the Class of 2023, shows a 3.52 average GPA and a 322 OAT Academic Average. Tuition for 2026-27 is $44,508 for the traditional track (NSU, 2026-27). On the 2024-25 boards, 80.21% of NSU graduates passed all three parts (ASCO, 2026), so ask about board preparation support when you interview.
Acceptance Rate: 36.8% (289 admitted of 786 verified applicants, ASCO 2026)
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.52 (Class of 2023)
OAT Average: 322 Academic Average (Class of 2023)
Passed all NBEO parts: 80.21% (2024-25 graduates)
2026-27 tuition: $44,508
4. Ohio State University College of Optometry
Situated in Columbus, Ohio, Ohio State has taught optometry since 1914 and became a separate college in 1967. The program posts the strongest board results on this list: 98.33% of its 2024-25 graduates passed all three national board parts (ASCO, 2026), and the college reports a 100% ultimate pass rate for the Class of 2025. Students see about 1,800 patients by graduation, and the fourth year is built around three 17-week clinical rotations.
Ohio State is also the most selective school here. The Class of 2029 drew 567 applicants for 69 seats and averaged a 3.86 GPA and a 358 OAT Academic Average (Ohio State, Class of 2029). First-year tuition for 2026-27 is $32,955 for Ohio residents and $54,011 for nonresidents, and the nonresident surcharge drops after the first year, which makes Ohio State worth a look for out-of-state applicants too (Ohio State, 2026-27).
Acceptance Rate: 20.5% admitted per verified applicant (ASCO 2026); 69 seats for 567 applicants (Class of 2029)
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.86 (Class of 2029)
OAT Average: 358 Academic Average (Class of 2029)
Passed all NBEO parts: 98.33% (2024-25 graduates)
2026-27 first-year tuition: $32,955 resident / $54,011 nonresident
5. Southern College of Optometry
Located in Memphis, Tennessee, Southern College of Optometry (SCO) dates back to 1932 and is one of the oldest optometry schools in the country. Its clinical hub is The Eye Center, opened in 2001, which handles more than 50,000 patient visits a year, and a $35 million campus expansion is underway (SCO). SCO keeps a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, awards more than 60 scholarships each year, and counts 15 alumni who have served as president of the American Optometric Association.
SCO enrolled 138 students in 2026 from 794 applicants, with a 3.69 average GPA and a 340 OAT Academic Average (SCO, 2026). Its board results are second only to Ohio State’s on this list: 95.31% of 2024-25 graduates passed all three parts (ASCO, 2026), and SCO requires students to pass Parts I and II before graduation. Tuition for 2026-27 is $48,540, and SCO puts the first-year cost of attendance at $75,887 (SCO, 2026-27). SCO suits students who want a large, optometry-only campus with heavy patient volume.
Acceptance Rate: 48.8% admitted per verified applicant (ASCO 2026); 138 entrants from 794 applicants (SCO, 2026)
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.69 (2026 entering class)
OAT Average: 340 Academic Average (2026 entering class)
Passed all NBEO parts: 95.31% (2024-25 graduates)
2026-27 tuition: $48,540
6. SUNY College of Optometry
The SUNY College of Optometry acceptance rate was 30.2% for students entering in 2025: 141 of 467 applicants were accepted and 97 enrolled (SUNY Optometry, 2026). The Class of 2029 averaged a 3.67 GPA and a 350 OAT Academic Average. Founded in 1971 in midtown Manhattan, SUNY is New York State’s only optometry school, and its University Eye Center handled about 56,000 patient visits in fiscal 2024-25, with 65 affiliated clinical sites (SUNY Optometry).
SUNY suits applicants who want research alongside a high-volume urban clinic: the college brought in about $3.8 million across 40 research grants in fiscal 2024-25, and it plans to expand into the Syracuse area from fall 2027. In-state tuition for 2026-27 is $32,200 and out-of-state tuition is $53,230 (SUNY Optometry, 2026-27). On the 2024-25 boards, 89.90% of SUNY graduates passed all three parts (ASCO, 2026).
Acceptance Rate: 30.2% (141 accepted of 467 applicants, 2025 entry)
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.67 (Class of 2029)
OAT Average: 350 Academic Average (Class of 2029)
Passed all NBEO parts: 89.90% (2024-25 graduates)
2026-27 tuition: $32,200 in-state / $53,230 out-of-state
7. University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry
The UAB School of Optometry, founded in 1969, is part of a major research university: UAB as a whole reported $915 million in research expenditures in fiscal 2025. Students do much of their hands-on and in-person clinical training at UAB Eye Care, a 34,000-square-foot clinic that sees about 25,000 patients a year, and the school runs 8 residency programs with 16 positions (UAB). Nearly 98% of students graduate: 98.2% of the class that entered in 2021 completed the program.
UAB targets a class of about 58 students. For 2026 entry it admitted 145 of 530 verified applicants, and admitted applicants averaged a 3.64 GPA and a 326 OAT Academic Average (ASCO, 2026). Resident tuition for 2026-27 is $33,930 and nonresident tuition is $55,335, but a merit scholarship that 98% of nonresidents qualify for lowers that to $43,335 (UAB, 2026-27). On the 2024-25 boards, 89.09% of graduates passed all three parts (ASCO, 2026).
Acceptance rate: 27.4% (145 admitted of 530 verified applicants, ASCO 2026)
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.64, admitted applicants (ASCO 2026)
OAT Average: 326 Academic Average, admitted applicants (ASCO 2026)
Passed all NBEO parts: 89.09% (2024-25 graduates)
2026-27 tuition: $33,930 resident / $55,335 nonresident
8. UC Berkeley School of Optometry
Located in Berkeley, California, the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science began its optometry curriculum in 1923, became a school in 1941 and marked its centennial in 2023. Students work with patients from their first year at the Meredith W. Morgan University Eye Center and the Tang Eye Center, logging about 1,800 patient encounters before graduation, and they can join studies through the Clinical Research Center, opened in 2004.
Berkeley is one of the smaller and more selective programs here. In 2026 it received 426 applications and enrolled 67 students (UC Berkeley, 2026); admitted applicants averaged a 3.81 GPA and a 360 OAT Academic Average (ASCO, 2026). Its graduates’ ultimate board pass rate was 92.2% in 2025 (UC Berkeley). Tuition and fees for 2026-27 are $22,092.75 per semester for California residents and $28,470.25 for nonresidents (UC Berkeley, 2026-27).
Acceptance Rate: 22.3% (95 admitted of 426 verified applicants, ASCO 2026)
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.81, admitted applicants (ASCO 2026)
OAT Average: 360 Academic Average, admitted applicants (ASCO 2026)
Passed all NBEO parts: 92.19% (2024-25 graduates)
2026-27 tuition: $22,092.75 resident / $28,470.25 nonresident per semester
9. University of Missouri – St Louis
If you want to know how to be an optometrist, then attending the UMSL College of Optometry might be what you want to do. Opened in 1980, it is Missouri’s only optometry school and one of the smallest on this list, with 47 first-year students in fall 2025 (ASCO, 2025-26). Students train in UMSL Eye Care’s three clinic sites and at more than 80 externship sites, and the college offers 9 residency programs.
For 2026 entry, UMSL admitted 113 of 351 verified applicants, about 32.2%, and admitted applicants averaged a 3.54 GPA and a 319 OAT Academic Average (ASCO, 2026). UMSL is also one of the least expensive options for Missouri residents: 2026-27 tuition is $15,280 per semester for residents and $25,232 for nonresidents (UMSL, 2026-27). On the 2024-25 boards, 83.72% of graduates passed all three parts (ASCO, 2026). To get in here, you need a strong GPA, solid test scores, powerful letters of recommendation, and real experience in eye care.
Acceptance Rate: 32.2% (113 admitted of 351 verified applicants, ASCO 2026)
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.54, admitted applicants (ASCO 2026)
OAT Average: 319 Academic Average, admitted applicants (ASCO 2026)
Passed all NBEO parts: 83.72% (2024-25 graduates)
2026-27 tuition: $15,280 resident / $25,232 nonresident per semester
10. University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry
Located in Pikeville, Kentucky, near the Appalachian Mountains, the Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) at the University of Pikeville is Kentucky’s only optometry school. It enrolled its first class in 2016 and moved into the 103,000-square-foot Health Professions Education Building, a $75 million facility, in 2017. Students treat patients at the Dr. Jerald F. Combs Eye Clinic and rural clinics in the region, and KYCO offers 4 residency programs (University of Pikeville).
KYCO also helps future students with a grant that covers the full Optometry Admission Test fee plus study materials, open to applicants nationwide (University of Pikeville). For 2026 entry it admitted 169 of 485 verified applicants, about 34.8%, and ASCO reports a 3.34 average GPA and a 299 OAT Academic Average (ASCO, 2026). Its 2024-25 ultimate board pass rate was 74.55%, below the 82.49% national figure, which is worth asking about. Tuition for 2026-27 is $49,950 (University of Pikeville, 2026-27). KYCO suits students who want to practice in rural and Appalachian communities.
Acceptance Rate: 34.8% (169 admitted of 485 verified applicants, ASCO 2026)
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.34 (ASCO 2026)
OAT Average: 299 Academic Average (ASCO 2026)
Passed all NBEO parts: 74.55% (2024-25 graduates)
2026-27 tuition: $49,950
Accredited Optometry Schools in the US: Full List
There are 24 accredited Doctor of Optometry programs in the United States and Puerto Rico: 23 in the states and one in Puerto Rico, according to the ACOE directory dated August 17, 2026 (ACOE, 2026). The ACOE also accredits two Canadian programs, at the University of Montreal and the University of Waterloo, for a total of 26.
| Accredited optometry school | Location |
|---|---|
| Ferris State University Michigan College of Optometry | Big Rapids, MI |
| Illinois College of Optometry | Chicago, IL |
| Indiana University School of Optometry | Bloomington, IN |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry | Bayamón, PR |
| MCPHS School of Optometry | Worcester, MA |
| Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry | Glendale, AZ |
| Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry | Downers Grove, IL |
| New England College of Optometry | Boston, MA |
| Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry | Tahlequah, OK |
| Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| Pacific University College of Optometry | Forest Grove, OR |
| Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Drexel University | Elkins Park, PA |
| Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions College of Optometric Medicine | Provo, UT |
| Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University | Fullerton, CA |
| Southern College of Optometry | Memphis, TN |
| SUNY College of Optometry | New York, NY |
| The Ohio State University College of Optometry | Columbus, OH |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry | Birmingham, AL |
| UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science | Berkeley, CA |
| University of Houston College of Optometry | Houston, TX |
| University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry | St. Louis, MO |
| University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry | Pikeville, KY |
| University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry | San Antonio, TX |
| Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry | Pomona, CA |
Are there new optometry schools?
Yes. The University of Detroit Mercy School of Optometry in Novi, Michigan, holds preliminary approval from the ACOE and enrolled its first class in 2025. Three more programs are in earlier stages of ACOE review and cannot yet enroll students: UNC Pembroke College of Optometric Medicine and the UT Rio Grande Valley School of Optometry at stage one, and High Point University School of Optometry at stage two (ACOE, 2026).
How to Get Into Optometry School
To get into optometry school, you complete the prerequisite science courses, take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), and apply through OptomCAS, the central application service run by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). Most programs also want to see time spent with optometrists. Nationally, optometry schools enrolled 2,030 full-time first-year students in fall 2025 (ASCO, 2025-26).
What is OptomCAS?
OptomCAS is the single online application for Doctor of Optometry programs. The 2026-27 cycle opened June 25, 2026, and closes May 20, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET (OptomCAS). The fee is $190 for the first program and $85 for each additional program (OptomCAS). Many schools review applications on a rolling basis, so applying early in the cycle helps.
What is the OAT, and what score do you need?
The OAT is a computer-based exam with four sections: Survey of the Natural Sciences (biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics and Quantitative Reasoning. Scores run from 200 to 400 in 10-point steps, and there is no official passing score (ADA, 2026). For 2026 entry, admitted applicants’ average Academic Average ranged from 299 to 361 across the 10 schools above (ASCO, 2026). Our guide to the OAT exam covers sections, fees and study plans.
How do you get optometry experience before applying?
Shadowing an optometrist, working as an optometric technician or scribe, and clinical internships all count as experience with eye care. Our guide to pre-optometry internships explains your options, and our pre-optometry and optometry internships in Kenya place you with a hospital eye department team, under the supervision of licensed clinicians, alongside clinical simulations and community outreach.
Why Be an Optometrist?
When someone visits your optometry office, you can change their life for the better. You can assess their vision, give them prescriptions for contacts and glasses, diagnose and treat eye injuries, and even detect and prevent disease.
Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 10% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 2,000 openings a year, and the median annual pay was $136,570 in May 2025 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook). As the population of the country gets older, the need for eye care keeps rising. See our optometrist salary guide for pay by setting and state.
Within this field, you can enjoy serious professional freedom. Optometrists are in demand in areas rural and urban alike across all 50 states. You can also work in clinical settings with patients, educational institutions teaching others, or in pure research environments. If you are still deciding between eye care careers, compare opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists, or read why optometry is an excellent career choice.
Key Takeaways
What are the 10 best optometry schools in the United States? Ohio State, Southern College of Optometry, UC Berkeley, SUNY, UAB, Illinois College of Optometry, Arizona College of Optometry, UMSL, Nova Southeastern and the University of Pikeville all offer accredited programs with their own eye clinics and residency programs, and they differ most on board results, selectivity, size and cost.
Not every optometry school acceptance rate is the same, but there are ways to burnish your background to improve your chances of qualification and admission into one of these institutions: strong science grades, a competitive OAT score, and documented time in eye care settings.
Getting Started in a Healthcare Career
Knowing the 10 best optometry schools in the United States is a good first step. Actually getting into one is a very different story.
You’ll be competing against a lot of other applicants who might have just as impressive credentials and scores as you do. They might even have better.
If you want to get ahead of the pack, then you need something that distinguishes you from everyone else. Actual medical field experience can be just the thing that makes an admissions office notice your application in the larger pile.
We offer experiences such as these to those willing to travel abroad in the Caribbean, South America, and Africa, including optometry internships in Mombasa, Kenya. You can help people who are in need of health care while also broadening your outlook through international travel. You’ll come back home having done good things for the world, become a better person, and find advantages to tout when applying to health care schools and jobs alike.
For more information about opportunities like these, visit our website to see how it works.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best optometry schools in the US?
Ohio State, Southern College of Optometry, UC Berkeley, SUNY, UAB, Illinois College of Optometry, Arizona College of Optometry, UMSL, Nova Southeastern and the University of Pikeville are strong choices. Ohio State had the highest share of 2024-25 graduates passing all three national board parts, 98.33%, followed by Southern College of Optometry at 95.31% (ASCO, 2026).
How many accredited optometry schools are there in the US?
There are 24 ACOE-accredited Doctor of Optometry programs in the United States and Puerto Rico, 23 in the states and one in Puerto Rico, plus 2 in Canada (ACOE, 2026). The University of Detroit Mercy holds preliminary approval, and three more programs are in earlier stages of review.
Does U.S. News rank optometry schools?
No. U.S. News ranks 19 health disciplines, such as pharmacy, physical therapy and physician assistant programs, but optometry is not among them (U.S. News, 2026). Board pass rates and admissions data that schools report to ASCO are the most consistent way to compare programs.
What is the NSU optometry acceptance rate?
Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry admitted 289 of 786 verified applicants for 2026 entry, about 36.8% (ASCO, 2026). The school enrolled 105 first-year students in fall 2025, and its most recent published class profile shows a 3.52 average GPA and a 322 OAT Academic Average.
What is the SUNY College of Optometry acceptance rate?
SUNY College of Optometry accepted 141 of 467 applicants for 2025 entry, an acceptance rate of 30.2%, and 97 students enrolled (SUNY Optometry, 2026). The Class of 2029 averaged a 3.67 GPA and a 350 OAT Academic Average.
What is the Arizona College of Optometry acceptance rate?
Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University admitted 189 of 781 verified applicants for 2026 entry, about 24.2% (ASCO, 2026). It enrolled 69 students in 2026, with an average GPA of 3.65 (Midwestern University, 2026).
Is Southern College of Optometry a good school?
Yes. Southern College of Optometry, founded in 1932, had a 95.31% ultimate national board pass rate for 2024-25 graduates, second among the schools above (ASCO, 2026). Its Eye Center handles more than 50,000 patient visits a year, and 15 alumni have served as American Optometric Association president.
How much does optometry school cost?
Average first-year resident tuition in 2025-26 was $31,531 at public optometry schools and $46,039 at private schools (ASCO, 2025-26). Among the schools above, 2026-27 tuition ranges from $15,280 per semester for Missouri residents at UMSL to $50,037 a year at Arizona College of Optometry.
What OAT score do you need for optometry school?
The OAT has no passing score; it is scored from 200 to 400 (ADA, 2026). For 2026 entry, admitted applicants at the 10 schools above averaged Academic Averages from 299 to 361, with Ohio State and UC Berkeley at the top (ASCO, 2026).
