2027 Best Value Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist Associate’s Degree Schools

[Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist](/majors/health-care-professions/ophthalmic-optometric-support-services/ophthalmic-technician-technologist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong ophthalmic technician/technologist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for ophthalmic technician/technologist students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the ophthalmic technician/technologist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist Schools
Leading the list is Hillsborough Community College, our #1 best value for ophthalmic technician/technologist in the United States. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Ophthalmic Technician/technologist graduates carry a median of $19,464 in student loans. Early-career ophthalmic technician/technologist graduates make about $44,101. That is a strong return on a $19,464 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #2 place for ophthalmic technician/technologist. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Typical student debt for ophthalmic technician/technologist graduates is $18,876. Early-career ophthalmic technician/technologist graduates make about $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in ophthalmic technician/technologist will find it at Triton College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Ophthalmic Technician/technologist graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Ophthalmic Technician/technologist graduates of Triton College earn a median of $34,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Portland Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value ophthalmic technician/technologist schools. Portland Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ophthalmic technician/technologist graduates is $20,648. Early-career ophthalmic technician/technologist graduates make about $49,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in ophthalmic technician/technologist will find it at Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, which ranked #5. Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mayaguez. Students from in state pay about $6,550 in tuition and fees. Ophthalmic Technician/technologist graduates carry a median of $15,755 in student loans. Ophthalmic Technician/technologist graduates of Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez earn a median of $18,143 early in their careers. Set against $15,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Broward College landed the #6 spot for ophthalmic technician/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,830, while out-of-state students pay about $8,952. Students borrow a median of $13,110 to complete the ophthalmic technician/technologist program here. Early-career ophthalmic technician/technologist graduates make about $51,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Other Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist rankings across degree levels:
View All Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.