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In this articleChoosing an optometry school can be difficult, but knowing which factors to consider and when will best prepare you for a career in optometry.
Some factors to consider for optometry programs include:
When attending an optometry school, it’s recommended to find an accessible one. Consider how long it takes to get to school if you’re commuting. If you’re staying close to school, you may want to look at housing options.
Tuition costs may be higher than in other health sciences professions because optometry requires extensive training.
The average tuition per semester for optometry schools ranges between $15,000 and $40,500. However, some programs offer scholarships and grants.
The facilities in a school are important to consider. Schools with modern equipment have better resources for optometry students.
Look for schools with state-of-the-art technology and laboratories for better learning.
When choosing an optometry school, the student body size can affect learning opportunities.
A small class size means more personal attention. On the other hand, large classes mean less individualized attention.
Optometry faculty members play a vital role in teaching students. They provide guidance on coursework and help students succeed.
Faculty members can vary in expertise and knowledge, so choosing a faculty that matches your interests and goals is essential.
The number of applicants has remained similar for the past five years.
In 2017, there were over 2,527 OptomCAS-verified applicants for the 23 schools and colleges of optometry. 1 This number rose to 2,684 individuals for the 2020-2021 application cycle.
Here are some additional statistics about the 2020-2021 application cycle from the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry: 2
According to IBISWorld, there are 162,791 people employed in the Optometrists industry in the U.S. as of 2022. 3
In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has the following statistics regarding optometry:
These are the 12 best optometry schools you can attend in the U.S.:
The University of California, Berkeley has the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science. They provide over 400 hours of preclinical training during your first two years. By the time you graduate, you will have examined over 2,500 patients.
Address: Minor Hall, 380 Minor Ln, Berkeley, CA 94720
Website: https://optometry.berkeley.edu/
Phone: (510) 642-2020
The Illinois College of Optometry offers an innovative curriculum where you work with real patients in the clinic from your first year.
The curriculum combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience in their state-of-the-art clinical facilities. This helps ensure that you are prepared to practice optometry in any setting.
Address: 3241 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60616
Website: http://www.ico.edu
Phone: (312) 949-7000
The Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University is one of the oldest optometry schools in the country. They offer a comprehensive curriculum with early clinical experience and extensive externships.
You can also enhance your program through elective courses and/or a residency program. An accelerated program is also available, allowing you to complete your optometry degree through a 36-month campus-based program.
Address: 8360 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 1907
Website: https://www.salus.edu/optometry
Phone: (215) 780-1400
The University of Houston College of Optometry offers a comprehensive curriculum with clinical experience in its state-of-the-art facilities. With the U.H. Health – Eye Care clinic, you can practice optometry in a real-world setting.
U.H.’s optometry program also offers a different set of training every year. This allows you to have a unique learning experience.
Address: 4849 Calhoun Rd #100, Houston, TX 77004
Website: http://www.opt.uh.edu
Phone: (210) 883-1190
Western University College of Optometry’s curriculum is designed to prepare you for a successful career in optometry. They emphasize optometric rehabilitation, including neuro-optometry.
The WesternU Health Eye Care Institute also offers various clinical services. They have extensive experience in treating all types of vision and eye conditions.
Address: 701 E 2nd St, Pomona, CA 91766
Website: https://www.westernu.edu/optometry/
Phone: (909) 623-6116
Indiana University’s School of Optometry offers a four-year course that covers clinical and practical facets of optometry. Their Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree program makes you ready to examine patients in just 20 months.
Address: 107 S. Indiana Avenue Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
Website: http://www.optometry.iu.edu
Phone: (812) 855 4447
The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry has an excellent program that prepares you for a successful career in optometry. Their program also emphasizes optometric research, allowing you to work on projects with faculty members.
They also allow you to combine your four-year Doctor of Optometry degree with an additional degree. This allows you to understand the complexities of optometry better.
Address: Henry Peters Building, 1716 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233
Website: https://www.uab.edu/optometry/home/
Phone: (205) 934-3036
The Midwestern University – Arizona College of Optometry opened its Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree program in Fall 2009. Although relatively new, the program is already highly respected.
Their curriculum offers face-to-face instruction, an inter-health professional campus, and early exposure to clinical settings.
The Southern California College of Optometry offers a well-rounded program that covers various aspects of optometry.
Their curriculum has an impressive network of residency sites and offers exceptional resident training. This allows you to gain experience in various optometry settings.
Address: 2575 Yorba Linda Blvd. Fullerton, CA 92831
Website: https://www.ketchum.edu/optometry
Phone: (714) 449-7400
The Kentucky College of Optometry has a community of faculty and staff dedicated to helping you become a successful optometrist.
Their curriculum is designed to provide unique clinical experiences and a challenging curriculum. This allows you to gain the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in optometry.
Address: 147 Sycamore St, Pikeville, KY 41501
Website: http://www.upike.edu/KYCO
Phone: (606) 218-5250
Pacific University’s College of Optometry prepares you for optometry licensure and practice. Their program consists of academic and laboratory experiences integrated with clinical work.
Address: 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116
Website: http://www.pacificu.edu/optometry/
Phone: (503)-352-6151
The Ohio State University is one of the largest universities in the U.S. In their Doctor of Optometry program, you’ll learn from the finest optometrists in the world.
Their program blends clinical and research so that you receive an excellent education that prepares you for an optometry career.
Address: 338 W 10th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210
Website: http://optometry.osu.edu
Phone: (614) 292-2647
There is a positive outlook regarding optometry careers. This means that job opportunities should increase in the following years:
Here are some statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
The increase in opportunities for optometry jobs results from better technology in the field. Some of the openings are also from professionals who have left the field. This may be due to retirement or a change of career direction.
State | School | Website | Address | Phone No. |
Alabama | University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry | https://www.uab.edu/optometry/home/ | Henry Peters Building1716 University BlvdBirmingham, AL 35233 | (205) 934-3036 |
Arizona | Arizona College of Optometry – Midwestern University | https://www.midwestern.edu/academics/our-colleges/arizona-college-of-optometry | 19555 N 59th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85308 | (623) 572-3200 |
California | Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University | https://www.ketchum.edu/optometry | 2575 Yorba Linda Blvd. Fullerton, CA 92831 | (714) 449-7400 |
California | UC Berkeley School of Optometry | https://optometry.berkeley.edu | Minor Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720 | (510) 642-2020 |
California | WesternU College of Optometry | https://www.westernu.edu/optometry/ | 701 E 2nd St, Pomona, CA 91766 | (909) 623-6116 |
Florida | Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry | http://optometry.nova.edu/ | 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314-7796 | (800) 541-6682 |
Illinois | Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University | https://www.midwestern.edu/admissions/apply/doctor-of-optometry-in-downers-grove.xml | 555 31st St, Downers Grove, IL 60515 | (630) 960-3007 |
Illinois | Illinois College of Optometry | http://www.ico.edu | 3241 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60616 | (312) 949-7000 |
Indiana | Indiana University School of Optometry | http://www.optometry.iu.edu | 107 S. Indiana Avenue Bloomington, IN 47405-7000 | (812) 855 4447 |
Kentucky | Kentucky College of Optometry, University of Pikeville | http://www.upike.edu/KYCO | 147 Sycamore St, Pikeville, KY 41501 | (606) 218-5250 |
Massachusetts | School of Optometry, MCPHS University | https://www.mcphs.edu/academics/school-of-optometry/optometry/optometry-od | 179 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115 | (617) 732 2850 |
Massachusetts | New England College of Optometry | http://www.neco.edu | 424 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02115 | (617) 266-2030 |
Michigan | Michigan College of Optometry, Ferris State University | http://www.ferris.edu/mco | 1124 S State St, Big Rapids, MI 49307 | (231) 591 3700 |
Missouri | St. Louis College of Optometry, University of Missouri | http://www.umsl.edu/divisions/optometry | 1 University Blvd. 331 Marillac Hall St. Louis, MO 63121-4400 | (314) 516-5606 |
New York | SUNY College of Optometry | http://www.sunyopt.edu | 33 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036 | (212) 938-4000 |
Ohio | The Ohio State University College of Optometry | http://optometry.osu.edu | 338 W 10th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210 | (614) 292-2647 |
Oklahoma | Oklahoma College of Optometry, Northeastern State University | https://optometry.nsuok.edu/ | 1001 N Grand Ave, Tahlequah, OK 74464 | (918) 444-4000 |
Oregon | Pacific University College of Optometry | http://www.pacificu.edu/optometry/ | 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116 | (503)-352-6151 |
Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University | https://www.salus.edu/optometry | 8360 Old York Road, Elkins Park, PA 1907 | (215) 780-1400 |
Puerto Rico | School of Optometry, Inter American University of Puerto Rico | http://www.optonet.inter.edu | 500 John Will Harris, Bayamón, 00957, Puerto Rico | (787) 765-1915 |
Tennessee | Southern College of Optometry | http://www.sco.edu | 1245 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN | (901)-722-3200 |
Texas | University of Houston College of Optometry | http://www.opt.uh.edu | 4849 Calhoun Rd #100, Houston, TX 77004 | (713) 743-7141 |
Texas | School of Optometry, University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg | http://www.uiw.edu/optometry | 9725 Datapoint Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229 | (210) 883-1190 |
Utah | College of Optometry, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions | https://rm.edu/optometry/ | 122 E 1700 S building 3, Provo, UT 84606 | (801) 375-5125 |
Québec | Université de Montréal | https://www.umontreal.ca | 3744 Rue Jean-Brillant Bureau 110, Montréal, QC H3T 1P1 | (514) 343-6082 |
Ontario | University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science | https://uwaterloo.ca/optometry-vision-science/ | University of Waterloo, 200 Columbia St W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 | (519) 888-4567 ext. 33178 |