2027 Best Value Optometry Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Optometry](/majors/health-care-professions/optometry/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for optometry students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Optometry Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the optometry degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Optometry Schools
For return on investment in optometry, no school beat Ferris State University this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the optometry program here. Optometry graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $113,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in optometry, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Optometry graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Optometry graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $109,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the best values for optometry. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for optometry graduates is $22,053. Soon after graduation, optometry degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $95,369. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
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Notes and References
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
