by our College Data Analytics Team
[Optometry](/majors/health-care-professions/optometry/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying optometry schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send optometry graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #1 spot for highest-paid optometry graduates in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Optometry graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of about $128,199 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Ferris State University one of the highest-paying schools for optometry. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a public institution. Early-career optometry graduates from Ferris State University make a median of around $114,922 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Illinois College Of Optometry earned it the #3 place for optometry. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois College Of Optometry is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, optometry degree recipients from Illinois College Of Optometry typically earn about $118,651 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in optometry will find them at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career optometry graduates from Ohio State University Main Campus make a median of around $126,861 per year.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries optometry graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 4 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.