by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 12 U.S. colleges awarded 219 degrees and certificates in Vision Science/Physiological Optics. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 65% of graduates. College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Vision Science/Physiological Optics Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $31,856 one year after completing, rising to $64,772 after four years.
Studying Vision Science/Physiological Optics involves the study of Vision Science/physiological Optics. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of Vision, Visual Processes, And Related Phenomena And Clinical Research And Treatment Modalities. Includes Instruction In Ocular Anatomy And Physiology, Microbiology Of The Eye, Electrophysiology, Neurophysiology, Corneal Physiology, Photochemistry, Psychophysics, Visual Biophysics And Motor Systems, Sensory Mechanisms And Photoreception, Eye Circulation And Metabolism, Geometric And Physical Optics, Ocular Development Across The Life Span, Visual Stimuli And Perception, Color Vision, Eye Motility, Biometrics And Measurement Techniques, Visual Pathology, And Environmental Issues.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, vision science/physiological optics draws strong interest, with 219 degrees awarded annually. 12 colleges award vision science/physiological optics degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 121.
By level, the 219 awards include 143 bachelor’s degrees, 51 master’s degrees and 25 doctorates.
Women earned 59% of vision science/physiological optics degrees and certificates in the latest year (130 of 219). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (90) and Asian (39), and international students earned 36.
College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Vision Science/Physiological Optics Schools ranking, including 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks vision science/physiological optics schools within 2 states. In all, 12 colleges offer vision science/physiological optics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Vision Science/Physiological Optics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common vision science/physiological optics credential is the bachelor’s degree: 143 of the 219 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to vision science/physiological optics call most for Speaking, Writing and Science, and for knowledge of Biology, English Language and Chemistry, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Expression and Written Comprehension.
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How long a vision science/physiological optics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 143 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 51 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 25 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to vision science/physiological optics, at 44.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 34.2% |
| Master’s degree | 15.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 2.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Vision Science/Physiological Optics, with an average median salary of $76,181; the strongest outlook belongs to Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, at 8.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Ichthyology Teacher, Taxonomy Teacher, Zoology Teacher and Microbiology Teacher.
The occupation related to vision science/physiological optics with the most projected jobs is Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary, at 276,211.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
Vision Science/Physiological Optics graduates earn a median $31,856 one year after completing their program, $64,772 after four years and $65,457 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $31,856 |
| 4 years | $64,772 |
| 5 years | $65,457 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to vision science/physiological optics, with a median salary of $111,314.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
Vision Science/Physiological Optics has 12 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 12,513 degrees a year; the largest are Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology (8,412), Physiology, General (3,053) and Pathology/Experimental Pathology (310). Browse all Biological & Biomedical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | 8,412 |
| Physiology, General | 3,053 |
| Pathology/Experimental Pathology | 310 |
| Oncology and Cancer Biology | 235 |
| Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences, Other | 218 |
| Biomechanics | 70 |
| Cardiovascular Science | 61 |
| Molecular Physiology | 44 |
| Aerospace Physiology and Medicine | 40 |
| Cell Physiology | 33 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
