2027 Best Optometry Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Optometry is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for optometry students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Optometry in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall optometry education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Optometry
No school ranked higher than Indiana University Bloomington this year for optometry. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 77 optometry degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Students who receive their optometry degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $109,361 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans.
More information about a degree in optometry from Indiana University Bloomington
Midwestern University Downers Grove is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in optometry, ranking #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Downers Grove. About 57 optometry degrees were awarded at Midwestern University Downers Grove in the most recent year. Students who receive their optometry degree from Midwestern University Downers Grove earn around $117,219 in the first couple years of their career.
Read more about the optometry program at Midwestern University Downers Grove
Students looking for a strong optometry program will find one at Illinois College Of Optometry, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois College Of Optometry is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 98 optometry students who graduated with this degree at Illinois College Of Optometry in the most recent data year. Graduates of the optometry program make about $105,772 in their early career.
Read more about the optometry program at Illinois College Of Optometry
Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in optometry, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 60 optometry degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, optometry degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $95,369. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete this degree.
Read more about the optometry program at Ohio State University Main Campus
Ferris State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in optometry, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Ferris State University graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 optometry students who graduated with this degree at Ferris State University in the most recent data year. Optometry graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $113,016 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,562.
See the full optometry program report for Ferris State University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 5 schools evaluated.
- 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.
