2026 Best Optometry Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Optometry doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 25 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Healthcare Degree Search evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Optometry Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry is a private not-for-profit school based in Bayamon, PR. Read more about Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry
Out of the 25 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Salus University landed the #2 spot. Located in Elkins Park, PA, Salus University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on Salus University
Out of the 25 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Illinois College Of Optometry landed the #3 spot. Located in Chicago, IL, Illinois College Of Optometry is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Illinois College Of Optometry
Midwestern University Glendale came in at #4 on this year's Optometry ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Glendale, AZ. See the full Midwestern University Glendale profile
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #5 on this year's Optometry ranking in the United States. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. More on Indiana University Bloomington
Midwestern University Downers Grove landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Downers Grove, IL. More on Midwestern University Downers Grove
Pacific University placed #7 among Optometry schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Forest Grove, OR. Pacific University graduates 67% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,374. Students borrow a median of $26,170 to complete their Optometry program here. Read more about Pacific University
University Of Houston placed #8 among Optometry schools in the United States. University Of Houston is a public school based in Houston, TX. University Of Houston posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. The median Optometry program debt is $21,255. More on University Of Houston
Ferris State University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Big Rapids, MI. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,778. Graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. More on Ferris State University
Suny College Of Optometry placed #10 among Optometry schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Suny College Of Optometry is a public institution. Read more about Suny College Of Optometry
University Of The Incarnate Word did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in San Antonio, TX, University Of The Incarnate Word is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,090. The median Optometry program debt is $28,028. Read more about University Of The Incarnate Word
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. Ohio State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Ohio State University Main Campus Optometry students take on a median of $22,053 in debt. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
Northeastern State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. Located in Tahlequah, OK, Northeastern State University is a public institution. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Northeastern State University Optometry students take on a median of $23,465 in debt. Read the full report on Northeastern State University
University Of California Berkeley placed #14 among Optometry schools in the United States. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. More on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. Located in Saint Louis, MO, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. University Of Missouri St Louis posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical Optometry student debt is $25,943. More on University Of Missouri St Louis
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Based in Birmingham, AL, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete their Optometry program here. More on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Southern California College Of Optometry landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fullerton, CA. Get the full Southern California College Of Optometry report
Western University Of Health Sciences came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Pomona, CA, Western University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Western University Of Health Sciences
Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in Boston, MA, Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,530. The median Optometry program debt is $29,056. Read the full report on Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences
Pikeville College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. Set in Pikeville, KY, Pikeville College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,850. Graduates carry a median of $22,966 in student loans. Read the full report on Pikeville College
Nova Southeastern University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,700. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete their Optometry program here. Read more about Nova Southeastern University
Southern College Of Optometry ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. Read the full report on Southern College Of Optometry
Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Optometry schools. Get the full Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions report
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
New England College Of Optometry came in at #25 in this year's ranking. See the full New England College Of Optometry profile
Related Optometry Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Optometry Schools (All Levels)
- Best Optometry Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Optometry Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Optometry Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Optometry Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Optometry Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Optometry Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · 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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