2023 Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major
23
Ranked Colleges
$31,600
Avg Cost*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
Optometry is the 194th most popular major in the country with 1,746 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , optometry graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $88,635 and had an average of $195,118 in loans still to pay off.
This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered a degree in optometry. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their optometry program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.
See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Optometry Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major
The colleges and universities below are the best for optometry students.
Top 23 Most Focused Colleges for Optometry
Out of the 23 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Inter American University of Puerto Rico - School of Optometry landed the #1 spot on the list. Inter American University of Puerto Rico - School of Optometry is a small school located in Bayamon, Puerto Rico that handed out 27 ’s optometry degrees in 2021-2022.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Inter American University of Puerto Rico - School of Optometry Optometry Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern College of Optometry. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major list. Southern College of Optometry is a small school located in Memphis, Tennessee that handed out 124 ’s optometry degrees in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about Optometry at Southern College of Optometry
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois College of Optometry. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major list. Illinois College of Optometry is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 139 ’s optometry degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full Illinois College of Optometry Optometry Report
Out of the 23 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major that were part of this year’s ranking, New England College of Optometry landed the #4 spot on the list. New England College of Optometry is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 118 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full New England College of Optometry Optometry Report
Out of the 23 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major that were part of this year’s ranking, SUNY College of Optometry landed the #5 spot on the list. SUNY College of Optometry is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 96 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full SUNY College of Optometry Optometry Report
Marshall B Ketchum University ranked #6 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major list. Marshall B Ketchum University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 104 ’s optometry degrees in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read full report on Optometry at MBKU
Salus University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major ranking. Salus University is located in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 147 ’s optometry degrees to qualified students.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Optometry at Salus University
With a ranking of #8, University of Pikeville did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major list. UPIKE is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pikeville, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 79 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Optometry at UPIKE
Western University of Health Sciences did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Pomona, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 75 diplomas to qualified ’s optometry students in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Optometry at Western University of Health Sciences
Pacific University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major ranking. This small school is located in Forest Grove, Oregon, and it awarded 85 ’s optometry degrees in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Pacific University Optometry Report
Midwestern University - Downers Grove came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major ranking. Midwestern University - Downers Grove is a private not-for-profit institution located in Downers Grove, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Midwestern University - Downers Grove Optometry Report
Midwestern University - Glendale landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major ranking. This small school is located in Glendale, Arizona, and it awarded 52 ’s optometry degrees in 2021-2022.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read full report on Optometry at Midwestern University - Glendale
University of the Incarnate Word landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major ranking. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s optometry degrees to 52 students in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of the Incarnate Word Optometry Report
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major ranking. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 55 diplomas to qualified ’s optometry students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Optometry at MCPHS University
Nova Southeastern University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major ranking. NUS Florida is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 95 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full NUS Florida Optometry Report
University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s optometry degrees to 37 students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full University of Missouri - St Louis Optometry Report
Northeastern State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major ranking, coming in at #17. Northeastern State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. It awarded 28 ’s optometry degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Optometry at Northeastern State University
Ferris State University ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major list. Located in Big Rapids, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 35 diplomas to qualified ’s optometry students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Optometry at Ferris
University of Houston ranked #19 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major list. UH is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 92 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on Optometry at University of Houston
University of Alabama at Birmingham landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major ranking. Birmingham, Alabama is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s optometry degrees to 41 students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full UAB Optometry Report
Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major list. Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 70 ’s optometry degrees to qualified students.
With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Indiana University - Bloomington Optometry Report
University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major ranking, coming in at #22. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 84 ’s optometry degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of California - Berkeley Optometry Report
Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Optometry Major ranking, coming in at #23. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 68 ’s optometry degrees in 2021-2022.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Optometry Report
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Notes and References
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
