Optics/Optical Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their optics/optical sciences programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for optics/optical sciences students pursuing a degree.
The school you choose for optics/optical sciences can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Optics/Optical Sciences Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Optics/Optical Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Optics/Optical Sciences in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the optics/optical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is University Of Arizona, our #1 school for optics/optical sciences. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. University Of Arizona awarded about 101 optics/optical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Optics/optical Sciences graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $107,496 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,650.
See the full optics/optical sciences program report for University Of Arizona
A rank of #2 makes University Of Rochester one of the top schools for optics/optical sciences. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 75 optics/optical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Optics/optical Sciences graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
More information about a degree in optics/optical sciences from University Of Rochester
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in optics/optical sciences, ranking #3. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 optics/optical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Students who receive their optics/optical sciences degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $70,150 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,750.
Get the full optics/optical sciences details for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Rochester Institute Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in optics/optical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Rochester Institute Of Technology graduates 72% of students within six years. About 33 optics/optical sciences degrees were awarded at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Optics/optical Sciences graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $48,374 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in optics/optical sciences from Rochester Institute Of Technology
Students looking for a strong optics/optical sciences program will find one at University Of New Mexico Main Campus, which ranked #5. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of New Mexico Main Campus awarded about 17 optics/optical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, optics/optical sciences degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. Typical student debt for the program is $19,738.
See the full optics/optical sciences program report for University Of New Mexico Main Campus
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, 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).
