Top 10 Optometry Schools

Direct Answer

The Best Overall optometry school is the UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science, where a research-driven Doctor of Optometry (OD) program pairs with one of the highest National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) Part I first-time pass rates in the country and an attached vision-science PhD pipeline.

The Best Value pick is the SUNY College of Optometry in New York City, the lowest-cost path to an OD for state residents and the best outcomes-per-dollar option anywhere, thanks to public tuition and a massive University Eye Center patient base. This list is built for pre-optometry students and their families weighing a four-year OD program by clinical training, board pass rates, residency placement, and total cost — whether the budget favors an in-state public seat or a strong private program.

Every pick below uses real, publicly reported data from the schools, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), and NBEO.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each OD program against the priorities applicants and families consistently say they care about, drawing on published figures from ASCO, NBEO board-pass reports, U.S. News, school clinic data, and accreditation records from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE). The weighting:

• Academic and clinical training quality — 25%
• NBEO board pass rates and licensure outcomes — 20%
• Value and total cost — 15%
• Faculty, research, and resources — 15%
• Patient volume and clinical environment — 15%
• Residency placement and student fit — 10%

A school that produces strong board scores but charges a fortune, or one with a beautiful campus but thin patient volume, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Type: Public | Tuition: ~$36,000/yr (in-state), ~$48,000/yr (out-of-state) | Best for: Students who want research depth plus elite clinical training

The Herbert Wertheim School at UC Berkeley is widely regarded as the strongest OD program in the United States. Located in Berkeley, California, it enrolls roughly 65 OD students per class and consistently posts among the highest NBEO Part I (Applied Basic Science) first-time pass rates of any school.

The program runs the UC Berkeley Eye Center and a network of community and VA clinics, and it is uniquely tied to a top-ranked Vision Science graduate program that lets students pursue combined OD/PhD training. Faculty research spans myopia control, binocular vision, and ocular disease, and the Bay Area location feeds a deep externship network across hospitals and specialty practices.

Pros:

• Highest-tier NBEO Part I first-time pass rates nationally
• Combined OD/PhD and elite vision-science research access
• Strong VA, hospital, and specialty externship network
• Public in-state tuition far below private peers

Cons:

• Out-of-state cost-of-living in the Bay Area is steep
• Small class size makes admission highly competitive

Verdict: Berkeley wins on balance — the deepest research, the best board outcomes, and public tuition with no real weak spot.

2. SUNY College of Optometry 💎 BEST VALUE

Type: Public | Tuition: ~$30,500/yr (NY resident), ~$45,500/yr (non-resident) | Best for: Students who want the most clinical experience per dollar

The SUNY College of Optometry in Manhattan is the smartest value play in optometric education. As a public school, its resident tuition is among the lowest of any OD program, and even non-resident tuition undercuts most privates. The college operates the University Eye Center, one of the largest optometric clinics in the country, giving students enormous patient volume and case diversity across primary care, pediatrics, low vision, and ocular disease.

SUNY posts strong NBEO pass rates and places graduates into competitive residencies in cornea, vision therapy, and ocular disease. Its dense New York City clinical network is hard to match.

Pros:

• Lowest-cost OD path in the country for NY residents
• Enormous patient volume at the University Eye Center
• Strong, consistent NBEO board pass rates
• Deep NYC residency and externship network

Cons:

• New York City cost of living offsets low tuition
• Non-resident savings are smaller than for residents

Verdict: SUNY is the value champion — elite-level clinical volume at public-school pricing.

3. The Ohio State University College of Optometry

Type: Public | Tuition: ~$36,000/yr (in-state), ~$48,500/yr (out-of-state) | Best for: Students who want a research university with a strong clinical core

The Ohio State University College of Optometry in Columbus, Ohio blends a major public research university with a respected OD program of roughly 64 students per class. It runs a comprehensive on-campus clinic plus community sites, and it is known for strengths in myopia control, contact lenses, and ocular disease.

Ohio State faculty have published widely on binocular vision and pediatric optometry, and the college maintains solid NBEO pass rates and a robust residency placement record. The land-grant setting gives students access to a full academic medical center and broad interprofessional training.

Pros:

• Top-tier research university with a major medical center
• Recognized strength in contact lenses and myopia control
• Solid NBEO pass rates and residency placement
• Reasonable in-state public tuition

Cons:

• Out-of-state tuition climbs toward private levels
• Columbus winters and location won't suit everyone

Verdict: A superb research-driven program — ideal if you want a flagship university behind your OD.

4. Indiana University School of Optometry

Type: Public | Tuition: ~$34,000/yr (in-state), ~$46,000/yr (out-of-state) | Best for: Students who want a historic, research-strong public program

The Indiana University School of Optometry in Bloomington, Indiana is one of the oldest and most respected OD programs, enrolling about 70 students per class. It is internationally known for research in myopia, accommodation, and visual optics, and it operates the Atwater Eye Care Center along with community clinics across the state.

Indiana posts dependable NBEO pass rates and a strong record of placing graduates into both private practice and residency. Its long academic heritage and tight-knit Bloomington campus give students a focused, well-supported training environment.

Pros:

• Historic program with deep visual-optics research
• Operates the well-equipped Atwater Eye Care Center
• Dependable NBEO pass rates and residency placement
• Affordable in-state public tuition

Cons:

• Smaller-town setting limits big-city case variety
• Out-of-state cost rises significantly

Verdict: A research-rich classic — a great fit for students who value heritage and visual-optics depth.

5. University of Houston College of Optometry

Type: Public | Tuition: ~$25,000/yr (TX resident), ~$38,000/yr (non-resident) | Best for: Texas students who want low cost and high patient diversity

The University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) is one of the best-value public OD programs in the South, with notably low in-state tuition and a class of roughly 110 students. It runs the University Eye Institute and serves a large, diverse Houston patient population, giving students broad exposure to ocular disease, pediatrics, and low vision.

UHCO has a strong research reputation in myopia and ocular surface disease and maintains solid NBEO pass rates. For Texas residents, the combination of low tuition and high clinical volume is exceptional.

Pros:

• Very low in-state tuition for Texas residents
• Large, diverse Houston patient population
• Recognized research in myopia and ocular surface disease
• Big class size with broad clinical exposure

Cons:

• Larger classes mean more competition for cases
• Non-resident tuition advantage is smaller

Verdict: A standout value for Texans — low cost paired with serious clinical and research depth.

6. University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Optometry

Type: Public | Tuition: ~$28,000/yr (AL resident), ~$48,000/yr (non-resident) | Best for: Students who want a medical-center-integrated OD program

The UAB School of Optometry in Birmingham, Alabama sits inside one of the country's leading academic medical centers, giving OD students unusual access to ophthalmology, hospital rotations, and interprofessional care. It enrolls about 45–50 students per class and runs UAB Eye Care, serving a broad regional population.

UAB is known for research in ocular disease and glaucoma, posts strong NBEO pass rates, and offers competitive residencies in ocular disease and rehabilitation. The integration with a major medical center is a real differentiator.

Pros:

• Embedded in a top academic medical center
• Strong glaucoma and ocular-disease research focus
• Competitive residencies in disease and rehabilitation
• Low in-state tuition for Alabama residents

Cons:

• Non-resident tuition is among the higher publics
• Smaller class can limit elective variety

Verdict: The medical-center pick — best for students who want hospital-grade disease exposure.

7. Pacific University College of Optometry

Type: Private | Tuition: ~$45,000/yr | Best for: Students who want a respected private program in the Pacific Northwest

The Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon is one of the oldest and most established private OD programs, enrolling roughly 100 students per class. It runs multiple Pacific EyeClinic sites around Portland and a wide externship network across the West, exposing students to varied patient populations.

Pacific is known for strengths in vision therapy, pediatrics, and low vision, and it maintains solid NBEO pass rates. Its long history and broad clinical reach make it a reliable private choice, particularly for students drawn to the Pacific Northwest.

Pros:

• Long-established private program with strong reputation
• Recognized vision therapy and pediatrics training
• Multiple Portland-area clinics and wide externships
• Solid, consistent NBEO pass rates

Cons:

• Private tuition exceeds public in-state options
• Forest Grove setting is smaller than a major metro

Verdict: A dependable private leader — a strong fit for Pacific Northwest students who value vision therapy depth.

8. Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry

Type: Private | Tuition: ~$45,000/yr | Best for: Students who want a health-sciences university focused on eye care

The Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania is the nation's oldest continuously operating OD program and a cornerstone of a dedicated health-sciences university. It enrolls about 160 students per class and runs The Eye Institute in Philadelphia, serving a large urban population with deep exposure to ocular disease, low vision, and rehabilitation.

Salus is especially known for its low vision and vision rehabilitation training and offers a wide range of residencies. Its singular focus on eye and vision care gives students an immersive professional environment.

Pros:

• Oldest OD program with deep eye-care heritage
• Renowned low-vision and rehabilitation training
• Large urban patient base at The Eye Institute
• Wide selection of residency tracks

Cons:

• Large class size increases competition for cases
• Private tuition is well above public options

Verdict: The rehabilitation specialist — ideal for students drawn to low vision and disease-heavy training.

9. MCPHS University New England College of Optometry (NECO)

Type: Private | Tuition: ~$45,000/yr | Best for: Students who want a Boston-based, clinically intensive program

The New England College of Optometry (NECO) in Boston, Massachusetts is a private school known for placing students into clinical rotations early and often. It enrolls roughly 130 students per class and partners with a broad network of community health centers and hospitals across New England, giving students exceptional early patient contact.

NECO emphasizes primary care and community-based optometry, posts solid NBEO pass rates, and benefits from Boston's dense academic-medical environment. Its hands-on, distributed clinical model is a defining strength.

Pros:

• Early and extensive clinical patient contact
• Broad New England community-health network
• Strong primary-care and community focus
• Boston academic-medical ecosystem

Cons:

• Boston cost of living is high
• Distributed clinics require more student travel

Verdict: The clinically intensive pick — best for students who want patients in front of them early.

10. Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University

Type: Private | Tuition: ~$45,000/yr | Best for: Students who want interprofessional training in Southern California

The Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) at Marshall B. Ketchum University in Fullerton, California rounds out the list with a strong private OD program inside a health-sciences university that also trains physician assistants and pharmacists. It enrolls about 110 students per class and runs the Ketchum Health clinic serving the Orange County region.

SCCO is recognized for interprofessional education and solid NBEO pass rates, and its Southern California location offers a large, diverse patient base and wide externship options. The interprofessional model prepares graduates for collaborative care.

Pros:

• Strong interprofessional education model
• Diverse Orange County patient population
• Solid NBEO pass rates and externship breadth
• Modern Ketchum Health clinical facility

Cons:

• Private tuition above public in-state programs
• Southern California living costs are high

Verdict: The interprofessional pick — a great fit for collaborative-minded students in Southern California.

Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Choosing an Optometry School

• NBEO board pass rates — First-time pass rates on Part I, II, and III are the clearest signal of how well a program prepares you for licensure. Compare published figures, not reputation alone.
• Clinical patient volume — More patients and more case diversity mean stronger hands-on skills. Schools with large on-campus or partner clinics (SUNY, Salus, Houston) excel here.
• Total cost and residency — A public in-state seat can cost half of a private program. Weigh tuition against cost of living and expected debt against starting salaries.
• Residency and specialty placement — If you want to specialize in cornea, pediatrics, or ocular disease, check where graduates match for residencies.
• Research and faculty — Programs tied to research universities (Berkeley, Ohio State, Indiana) offer OD/PhD paths and faculty mentorship in vision science.
• Location and fit — Climate, city size, and proximity to family affect four hard years; visit before committing.

What matters less than marketing implies: glossy facility photos, ranking position by a single point, and class size alone. Board pass rates, real patient volume, and total debt shape your career far more than a brochure.

FAQ

Which optometry school is the best overall? UC Berkeley's Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science earns our top spot for combining elite research, an OD/PhD pipeline, and among the highest NBEO Part I first-time pass rates in the country.

What is the best value optometry school? SUNY College of Optometry is the best value, offering among the lowest OD tuition in the nation for New York residents alongside enormous clinical volume at the University Eye Center.

How long does optometry school take? The Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree is a four-year professional program completed after a bachelor's degree or required prerequisites, followed by NBEO licensure exams and an optional one-year residency.

Do I need to pass board exams to practice? Yes. Graduates must pass all three parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exam, plus any state requirements, to be licensed to practice optometry.

Is a public or private optometry school better? Neither is automatically better. Public schools like SUNY, Houston, and Berkeley offer lower in-state tuition, while private schools like Salus and NECO may offer specialized training and earlier clinical contact. Weigh cost against fit.

Which optometry schools are best for specialty training? For low vision and rehabilitation, Salus University stands out; for disease-heavy hospital exposure, UAB; and for research and OD/PhD work, UC Berkeley, Ohio State, and Indiana.

Bottom Line

For students choosing an OD program, UC Berkeley's Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science is our Best Overall pick — it pairs the deepest vision-science research with top-tier NBEO board outcomes and public tuition. SUNY College of Optometry is our Best Value, delivering elite clinical volume at the lowest cost for New York residents.

If your priorities lean toward low vision, early clinical contact, hospital-grade disease exposure, or in-state savings in Texas, use the decision tree above to route yourself to Salus, NECO, UAB, or Houston instead. Choose on board pass rates, patient volume, and total cost — not brochure photos — and you will start your optometry career on solid footing.

Sources

• ASCO — Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
• NBEO — National Board of Examiners in Optometry
• U.S. News — Best Health Schools and graduate program data
• ACOE — Accreditation Council on Optometric Education
• UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science
• SUNY College of Optometry
• The Ohio State University College of Optometry
• Indiana University School of Optometry
• University of Houston College of Optometry
• American Optometric Association — career and licensure resources

*Optometry schools review — best optometry schools, rankings, ratings, OD program review 2027, and a review of the top picks for pre-optometry students and families.*