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Why Earn an Optometry Degree?
A degree in optometry prepares individuals for a career in eye care. A program in optometry will educate individuals in multiple sciences, and teach them to use those sciences to identify problems within the eye and assist in their remedy. Individuals must obtain a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) in order to function as an optometrist. Entry into an O.D. program requires a decent score on the Optometry Admissions Examination (O.A.T.) and at least three years of post-secondary education. Most students will complete a bachelor's degree prior to applying to an optometry school. Obtaining a doctor of optometry typically requires four years of study.
Career Summary
MEDIAN SALARY
PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE
TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT
36,430Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types
Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS
2024 Best Optometry Schools
University of California - Berkeley (Berkeley, CA) is known as an esteemed public research university in the United States. The school is providing top-notch undergraduate and graduate programs ranking among the best in the country and across the world. Over the years, UC Berkeley has obtained a long list of prestigious and relevant graduates and faculty for various fields of study. The School of Optometry grants a Doctor of Optometry degree and a Ph.D. in Vision Science. The school provides a comprehensive curriculum that trains students to become skilled and proficient doctors and researchers. Students will have an opportunity for clinical experience in a variety of settings. The school also offers a residency program for interested and qualified students.
Acceptance Rate
16.25
Student to Faculty Ratio
20:1
Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) is a public university and is considered the largest single campus university in the United States. The university is the top university in academics and research in the state. It is also listed among the leading research and teaching institutions in the United States. Ohio State offers a wide range of academic and training programs for students and professionals who are interested in earning a top ranked degree in Optometry. The university offers a Pre-Optometry program, Doctor of Optometry, as well as a Master's and a Ph.D. degree in Vision Science. Residency programs and continuing education opportunities are also offered. Alumni and students can also be included in a network that can open practice opportunities. The Doctor of Optometry program accepts a limited number of freshmen students every year allowing more hands-on training and in-depth learning alongside professionals.
Acceptance Rate
53.74
Student to Faculty Ratio
19:1
Indiana University-Bloomington (Bloomington, IN) is the flagship university of the Indiana University System. The university has been recognized around the world for its research activities. IU is popular in providing multidisciplinary studies to its students. The School of Optometry has a program that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Optometry. It also houses a wide range of graduate level programs for professionals who aim to further their education in Optometry. The Doctor of Optometry program provides theoretical and practical training for students who aim to be eye doctors. It requires rigorous clinical training for students.
Acceptance Rate
77.91
Student to Faculty Ratio
16:1
University of Houston (Houston, TX) is a public research university. It houses a wide range of undergraduate and graduate academic programs with courses delivered both on-campus and online. Undergraduate students who aim to have careers in medicine, law, pharmacy, veterinary science, accounting, and education can take pre-professional programs. Pre-Optometry students from other colleges and universities are welcome to transfer to UHCO for further studies. The College of Optometry offers a post-baccalaureate professional degree, graduate studies, and clinical residency programs for students and professionals. Physiological Optics/Vision Science are offered as majors for graduate studies.
Acceptance Rate
64.98
Student to Faculty Ratio
22:1
University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL) is a public research university offering undergraduate and graduate academic programs. UAB offers liberal arts programs and health-related programs such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, nursing, and public health. The School of Optometry offers a four-year professional optometry program, Vision Science major graduate programs, and several dual-degree programs. Advanced clinical education through residency programs are also offered to professionals. Dual degree programs foster an interdisciplinary curriculum. Students can choose between an MBA, MPH, or an MS degree along with a Doctor of Optometry degree.
Acceptance Rate
73.66
Student to Faculty Ratio
19:1
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science (Boston, MA) is a private university focused on medical and health-related science programs. The university is recognized for its traditional and accelerated programs focused on professional education in pharmacy and the health sciences. MCPHS offers an undergraduate program on Bachelor of Science in Premedical and Health Studies — Optometry Pathway. Doctor of Optometry is also offered for students who aim to pursue professional education. It is a four-year, full-time program that provides theoretical coursework and hands-on training. Students are required to take clinical rotations. Doctor of Optometry students are also eligible to take the online Master of Public Health program leading to a dual-degree.
Acceptance Rate
85.33
Student to Faculty Ratio
16:1
University of Missouri - St Louis (St. Louis, MO) is a public research university offering undergraduate and graduate programs including doctoral degrees. The university offers a 3+4 program for students who intend to have careers in careers in optometry. Students will take pre-optometry courses that lead to a Bachelor of Arts degree and continue to a four-year program to earn a Doctor of Optometry degree. Students can continue with UMSL for residency programs and optometry professionals can admit to continuing education programs.
Acceptance Rate
73
Student to Faculty Ratio
19:1
Pacific University (Forest Grove, OR) is a private university that offers a wide range of programs for students. The university extends its academic programs to three other campuses located in the cities of Eugene, Hillsboro, and Woodburn. The College of Optometry offers undergraduate programs focused on Vision Science. It also offers master’s and Ph.D. degrees for the same discipline. In conjunction with College of Education, a Master of Education/Vision Function in Learning is offered as an additional program for interested students to explore. Students can also take a four-year Doctor of Optometry program. Courses are designed to train students to be licensed practitioners. Students of the doctorate program are required to take clinical rotations exposing students to real-life settings.
Acceptance Rate
86.61
Student to Faculty Ratio
10:1
Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale, FL) is a private university that offers a wide range of undergraduate majors and several graduate level programs. NSU also has distance learning programs, field-based programs, and professional training programs. Some of the areas of study in NSU are law, education, business computer science, oceanography, medicine, pharmacy, optometry, and more. NSU has a variety of optometry programs. It offers optometry as an undergraduate minor. It also has a dual-degree leading to a bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Optometry degree. Students can also admit to a stand-alone Doctor of Optometry program. All programs are composed of rigorous coursework and hands-on experiences preparing students to be competent and skilled professionals.
Acceptance Rate
80.1
Student to Faculty Ratio
17:1
Ferris State University (Big Rapids, MI) is a public research university offering a wide variety of educational opportunities. Ferris is the 9th largest university in the state. Associate’s and bachelor’s programs are offered in the school across eight colleges. The school is also offering professional doctorate degrees. Some of the popular programs are business, visual arts, and sciences. Optometry degrees are offered as a doctoral program only at FSU. Students are trained to provide a full-scope optometric care to every patient in every clinical setting. Complete lectures and coursework, and clinical training are required from students. Graduates can assume clinical practice immediately or admit to a one-year post-graduate residency training.
Acceptance Rate
86.64
Student to Faculty Ratio
16:1
University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio, TX) is a private Catholic university that also manages high schools and elementary schools. It offers undergraduate and graduate academic programs, international opportunities for students, and professional studies. The Rosenberg School of Optometry offers an undergraduate degree and graduate degrees in Vision Science. The school also grants a Doctor of Optometry degree. This is a four-year program that focuses on the clinical development of students. This program also allows students to be exposed to real-world settings. It also provides opportunities of local and international externships for students.
Acceptance Rate
93.77
Student to Faculty Ratio
11:1
Northeastern State University (Tahlequah, OK) is a public university that extends its academic programs to two other campuses - Muskogee and Broken Arrow, and online. It has a long list of graduate and undergraduate academic programs organized into five colleges - Business & Technology, Liberal Arts, Education, Optometry, and Health & Science Professions. The College of Optometry offers a Doctor of Optometry program preparing students to be licensed Optometric Physicians. Students will take rigorous coursework and intensive clinical training to pass. Professionals can also admit to continuing education programs.
Acceptance Rate
99.61
Student to Faculty Ratio
19:1
Top Optometry Degrees
Students seeking to enter the field of optometry will need to obtain a graduate degree. Graduate degrees in optometry include a number of programs with differing objectives and outcomes. The degree programs below provide prospective students with an overview of the degree options. Investing the time today to learn more about each program will help put you on the right path and set you up for success. Degree tracks optometry include the following options:
Four-Year OD Degree
The 4-year degree program in optometry is conferred as a Doctor of Optometry known as a OD. An OD degree is designed for qualifying students in an effort to streamline the degree process. Students will gain strong foundational knowledge in visual science along with clinical and biomedical sciences. OD programs are broken down into segments with the first three years spend in class, labs, seminars, and clinics. Classes include a variation of: anatomy and physiology, ocular anatomy, cellular biology, clinical reasoning, color vision, ocular disease principles, neuroanatomy, optics, visual sensation, vision health care, vision perception, and advanced optometry. The final year of the 4-year OD program is spent in clinical rotations. Most schools require students to alternate between primary care, advanced care, and specialty care clinics. Variety and exposure to each clinic type will help prepare students for variations in the workplace.
Accelerated Optometric Degree
An accelerated optometric degree track is a 2-year program created for working professionals or students that already hold a MD or PhD in medicine or science. Coursework is intense and science-rich that prepares professionals for a career in optometry. Accelerated degrees in optometry are almost exclusively full-time programs with the demanding coursework and schedule of the program. At the conclusion of the coursework and clinical rotations, students will be prepared to enter the field of optometry in a clinical, educational, or research capacity.
Master’s in Vision Science
A Master of Vision Science degree is conferred as a MS degree. Master of Vision Science is an alternative to the 4-year OD program. MS degrees are typically completed in 2-years for qualified students. Generally the master in vision science will blend graduate-level courses with lectures, seminars, research projects, and a thesis. Fusing problem-solving skills with analytical thinking is a requirement of students to be successful. Core classes in the MS program will generally include: optics, advanced visual sensation, cell biology, visual perception, histology, ocular anatomy, research and biostatistics, advanced imaging, eye growth, myopia, development of vision, visual neurophysiology, and emmetropization.
MS/OD Dual Degree
Dual degrees are available at select colleges and universities. Master of Vision Science and Doctor of Optometry is a dual degree for students who want to enter the master’s program and study to earn an OD. Typically the MS/OD dual degree program can be completed in 4-years with modifications to the four-year program. Core curriculum overlaps between the MS and OD programs including labs, seminars, research, and thesis projects. Classes will include very similar classes to the OD and MS tracks such as biostatistics, cell biology, optics, advanced imaging, and similar courses.
PhD/OD Dual Degree
The PhD and OD dual degree program is a unique program in the field of optometry. Conceptually, the degree blends the requirements of a OD degree with requisite curriculum of a post-master’s degree in optometry. In the first three years of the PhD/OD dual degree program, students will follow the OD degree track. The fourth and final year of the degree will focus on post-master’s PhD classes. Areas of emphasis in the PhD program can include: pathology, pharmacology, physiology, anatomy, behavioral neuroscience, biochemistry, biophysics, biomedical neuroscience, genetics, microbiology, immunology, molecular medicine, or translational medicine.
Employment Opportunities in Optometry
A career in optometry requires individuals to gauge the strength of their patients' vision, provide care, and check for ocular diseases that may occur. For some, a career can result in specialization, providing eye care for a particular group, such as patients with low vision, post-operative care, or children. Optometrists may also pursue careers in research and development. Most optometrists own their own practice, while others may find employment with large businesses or in treatment centers.
All states require optometrists to be licensed, which involves passing marks on the National Boards in Optometry and a doctor of optometry degree. Some states may issue an additional examination, and many states will require continuing education courses in order to maintain their license.
Job Outlook and Career Outlook for Optometrists
Job growth in optometry is expected to increase very rapidly compared to other jobs, but will have only a small number of new jobs due to the low number of optometrists in general. The demand for optometrists is expected to increase due to an aging population of baby boomers. The average salary for optometrists is approximately $95,000 per year. Individuals interested in optometry may also wish to consider ophthalmology technician (OT) or dispensing optician. Additionally, the AOA and the NOA provide trade-specific resources and research publications to member optometrists around the country.