[Optometry](/majors/health-care-professions/optometry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong optometry education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for optometry students.
Where you study optometry affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Optometry Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in optometry, no school beat Ferris State University this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the optometry program here. Soon after graduation, optometry degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $113,016. Set against $23,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in optometry will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for optometry graduates is $14,238. Soon after graduation, optometry degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $88,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Northeastern State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in optometry, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Optometry graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Early-career optometry graduates make about $106,097. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #4 place for optometry. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the optometry program here. Early-career optometry graduates make about $104,352. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in optometry, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Optometry graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, optometry degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $109,361. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #6 position for value in optometry this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for optometry graduates is $25,943. Optometry graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $97,440 early in their careers. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in optometry this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the optometry program here. Soon after graduation, optometry degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $95,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #8 for value in optometry this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Typical student debt for optometry graduates is $26,162. Soon after graduation, optometry degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $97,611. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Pikeville College came in at #9 for value in optometry this year. Located in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,850. Optometry graduates carry a median of $22,966 in student loans. Early-career optometry graduates make about $120,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of The Incarnate Word placed #10 among the best values for optometry. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,090. Typical student debt for optometry graduates is $28,028. Optometry graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $96,994 early in their careers. Set against $28,028 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Incarnate Word admits about 98% of applicants.
Nova Southeastern University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value optometry schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. Typical student debt for optometry graduates is $25,021. Optometry graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $88,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.
Pacific University earned the #12 position for value in optometry this year. Located in the suburb of Forest Grove, Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,374 in tuition and fees. Optometry graduates carry a median of $26,170 in student loans. Optometry graduates of Pacific University earn a median of $107,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Drexel University came in at #13 for value in optometry this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Optometry graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, optometry degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value optometry schools. Set in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,530. Typical student debt for optometry graduates is $29,056. Optometry graduates of Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences earn a median of $95,374 early in their careers. Set against $29,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences admits about 85% of applicants.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
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).
[Optometry](/majors/health-care-professions/optometry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong optometry education at a price that pays off.
