Best Optometry Colleges in the U.S. [2025 Ranking]

Choosing the right optometry program means more than comparing rankings. It requires matching your goals with a school’s outcomes, clinical focus, and training environment.

This guide presents a transparent rubric and regional school lists based on data from 2019 to 2025, so you can make an informed, career-aligned decision.

How We Scored The Schools

Not all programs report the same data, but we focused on five key areas: licensure outcomes, clinical depth, residency placements, research activity, and program stability. Our scoring rubric prioritizes what makes students successful—not just in school, but in practice.

Scoring Rubric 2025

Tie-Breakers and Exclusions

When programs tied in scoring, we broke ties by prioritizing:

1. Ultimate NBEO pass rate
   
2. VA/safety-net exposure
   
3. Residency placement strength
   
4. ACOE status
   
5. Research grants (P30 or R01)

Programs without enough publicly verifiable data were flagged as “NR.” Those with Preliminary Approval are not included in the ranked tiers but may appear in a Watchlist with appropriate cautions.

Application Quickstart 2025–2026

Core Requirements

Nearly all optometry schools require:

• The OAT, where up to four recent scores (and total attempts) are reported.
  
• At least two letters of recommendation: one from a practicing optometrist, and one from a science faculty member or pre-health advisor.
  
• Prerequisite coursework in subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics, with lab components completed in person.

Online lectures may be allowed at some schools, but labs are typically expected to be in-person. Observation hours with an OD are strongly encouraged and sometimes required.

Timeline Basics

Optometry schools operate on a rolling admissions cycle. Some programs begin interviews as early as July for admission the following fall. Applying early, after submitting a complete file through OptomCAS, can increase your chance of securing an interview or spot.

Decision timelines, waitlist movement, and deferral policies vary by school. Check directly with each program for precise cycle dates.

Top Programs By Region

These regional lists highlight the highest-performing optometry programs based on outcomes from 2019 to 2025. Schools are grouped into three tiers:

• Leader: Top performance across outcomes and clinical metrics.
  
• Strong: Consistent performance with key strengths.
  
• Watchlist: New or at-risk programs; review with caution.

West (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)

This region currently includes four accredited programs. All are listed.

Leader

• Pacific University College of Optometry: 3-year NBEO Part I ~75.8% and ultimate ~86.3% (2022–2024); four 11–12-week rotations across 100+ sites including VA and international placements.
  
• Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University: 3-year ultimate ~92.8% (2021–2024); 80+ fourth-year sites (VA/IHS/HMO) with early on-campus clinic entry.
  

Strong

• University of California, Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science: NEI P30 core (2025) supporting ~18 R01 labs; large clinic network (on-campus + satellites + ~7 VA + 20+ extern sites).
  

Watchlist

• Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry: 3-year NBEO Part I ~26.5% and ultimate ~58.1% (latest 2022–2024); early clinical/interprofessional emphasis with remediation efforts noted.
  

Southwest (AZ, NM, OK, TX, UT)

Leader

• Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University: 3-year NBEO Part I ~80.0% and Part III ~88.6% (2021–2024); interprofessional training with VA and public health rotations.
  
• Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry: 3-year Part I ~75.9%, Part II ~95.3%, Part III ~69.1%; Cherokee Nation clinics provide 40k+ annual encounters.
  
• University of Houston College of Optometry: NEI P30 core (2025) with ~16 NEI R01s; on-site ambulatory surgery center; broad VA/specialty residency options.
  

Strong

• University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry: Part I improved into low-70s by 2023–2024; community safety-net exposure; 18 residency programs.
  

Watchlist

• Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions College of Optometric Medicine: ACOE Preliminary Approval; 11-semester curriculum; no NBEO outcomes yet published.
  

Midwest (IL, IN, MI, MO, OH, WI)

Leader

• The Ohio State University College of Optometry: Ultimate ~97% (2024) with 100% Part II (recent years); NEI P30 core; strong VA residency affiliations.
  
• Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University: Ultimate 90–100% across 2021–2024; high Part II pass rate; small-cohort support model.
  

Strong

• Illinois College of Optometry: Claimed above-national NBEO outcomes; early urban pathology exposure at Illinois Eye Institute; wide extern network.
  
• Indiana University School of Optometry: Ultimate ~96% (2024) with variable Part I outcomes; 40+ extern sites; multi-state residencies.
  
• University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Optometry: Limited public data; located in an active scope-expansion state; public clinic affiliations support experiential depth.
  

South (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, SC, TN)

This region includes three ranked programs in the provided window.

Leader

• Southern College of Optometry: Ultimate ~97.8% (2024); high-volume in-house clinic; strong external placements; regional draw for GA/MS applicants.
  
• University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry: Ultimate NBEO ~84–93% (2022–2024); long-standing VA affiliation; strong 4-year and 5-year graduation rates.
  

Strong

• Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry: Extensive externship network; located in a state pushing for scope expansion; NBEO data currently marked NR.
  

Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT)

Leader

• New England College of Optometry: Early clinical entry; four 3-month externships; strong VA/community breadth; high historical board pass rates.
  
• Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University: Ultimate ~81% (Class of 2024) with ~3,000 clinical hours; ORMatch residency placement peaked at 80%.
  
• SUNY College of Optometry: 5-year ultimate ~95–97%; 2,400+ clinical hours; broad externship network; active NEI R01 research environment.
  

Tier with Concerns

• MCPHS University School of Optometry: NBEO Part I rates ranged from ~28.8% (2021) to ~61.7% (2023); strong externship network; foundational science outcomes need monitoring.
  

Puerto Rico

Watchlist

• Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry: ACOE status downgraded to “Accredited with Conditions” (Aug. 2024); NBEO Part I first-time pass rate ~16.7% (2025); risk profile is high despite community reach and bilingual training.

Program Profiles

Below are concise profiles for the programs listed in the regional rankings. Each profile includes NBEO performance, clinical structure, and either research credentials, residency placement, or accreditation status to help you evaluate program fit.

West

Pacific University College of Optometry 

Pacific’s 3-year NBEO Part I pass rate averages around 75.8%, with an ultimate pass rate of 86.3% from 2022–2024. Students complete four 11–12-week externships at over 100 affiliated sites, including VA clinics and international placements. While the program is not research-focused, its clinical volume and breadth make it ideal for students seeking hands-on, community-oriented care.

Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University

SCCO boasts a 3-year rolling NBEO ultimate pass rate of 92.8% (2021–2024), with strong first-time performance across all parts. Clinical rotations begin on campus and expand to over 80 fourth-year externship sites, including VA and Indian Health Service placements. The school’s emphasis is clinical education rather than research, and it offers one of the largest extern networks in the region.

University of California, Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science

Berkeley is home to an NEI P30 Core Grant and 18 active R01 vision science projects. The program integrates over 3,500 hours of clinical training and 1,900+ patient encounters across on-campus clinics and seven VA affiliations. While it does not publish NBEO data, its research environment and early patient exposure make it a top choice for academically ambitious students.

Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry

WesternU’s 3-year NBEO Part I first-time pass rate is a low 26.5%, with an ultimate pass rate of 58.1% as of 2024. The curriculum includes early clinical exposure and interprofessional education. While remediation programs are in place, prospective students should weigh licensure risks carefully.

Southwest

Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University

AZCOPT reports 3-year NBEO averages of 80.0% for Part I and 88.6% for Part III (2021–2024). Clinical training features a student-run clinic and externships in VA and public health settings. The school focuses on professional readiness through early patient care and team-based learning rather than research.

Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry

NSU-OK maintains a 3-year Part II NBEO pass rate of 95.3%, with 40,000+ patient encounters annually via Cherokee Nation clinics. The program’s clinical training includes advanced procedures due to Oklahoma’s broad scope of practice, making it ideal for those seeking comprehensive hands-on skills.

University of Houston College of Optometry

UHCO is a research leader with a current NEI P30 Core Grant and 16 active NEI R01 grants. While NBEO rates are not published, clinical training includes the country’s only optometry-owned ambulatory surgery center and extensive VA and specialty residency options across Texas and neighboring states.

University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry

UIW-RSO improved its NBEO Part I first-time pass rate to the low 70s by 2024. The school serves as a safety-net provider for uninsured populations and offers early patient exposure and 18 residency positions. Though it lacks an NEI research signal, the mission-driven environment supports clinical readiness.

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions College of Optometric Medicine

RMU is under Preliminary Approval status with ACOE and has not yet produced NBEO outcomes. Its 11-semester curriculum includes dedicated coursework in surgery and emergency medicine, but licensure eligibility remains a key concern until full accreditation is achieved.

Midwest

The Ohio State University College of Optometry

OSU consistently ranks among the top for licensure readiness, with a 97% ultimate NBEO pass rate in 2024 and 100% Part II first-time in recent years. It holds an NEI P30 Core Grant and maintains extensive VA residency affiliations. This program offers a rigorous academic path with strong research and clinical exposure.

Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University

MCO students had a perfect ultimate NBEO pass rate in 2023 and 100% graduation within five years. The program’s size allows for close faculty engagement and strong remediation support. While it lacks federal research grants, it excels in outcomes-based education and hands-on preparation.

Illinois College of Optometry

ICO emphasizes early clinical care and reports consistently strong NBEO outcomes (institutionally claimed). Students train at the Illinois Eye Institute and rotate through extern sites in Indiana, Michigan, and Mississippi. Though not federally research-funded, the program’s clinical depth and urban patient mix are distinguishing features.

Indiana University School of Optometry

IU’s ultimate NBEO pass rate was 96.25% in 2024, despite some year-to-year variation in Part I. The program offers externships at 40+ sites and holds a T35 grant supporting ophthalmology research training. Located in a state with advanced scope laws, IU prepares students for full-scope practice.

University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Optometry

UMSL’s NBEO data was not published in the review period. However, the program is located in a state pursuing expanded scope and provides clinical rotations in both academic and community settings. Students interested in public-sector care or scope advocacy may find UMSL a strategic fit.

South

Southern College of Optometry

SCO achieved a 97.8% ultimate NBEO pass rate in 2024. The program operates The Eye Center, a high-volume training site, and maintains extern placements across the South. It serves as a flagship for Georgia and Mississippi students through interstate tuition agreements.

University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry

UAB maintains NBEO ultimate pass rates between 84% and 93% in recent years. Its VA affiliation dates back decades, and attrition rates are among the lowest nationwide. UAB combines institutional support with strong clinical exposure.

Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry

Nova offers a wide externship network and is positioned in Florida, a state pushing for broader optometric privileges. NBEO and graduation data were not published at the time of review. Prospective students should evaluate future scope trends when considering this program.

Northeast

New England College of Optometry

NECO reported a 96.5% ultimate NBEO pass rate for the Class of 2019. Its model includes early clinical exposure and four 3-month externships at VA hospitals, safety-net clinics, and academic centers. The school also offers residency pathways in pediatrics, low vision, and community health.

Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University

PCO had an ultimate NBEO pass rate of 81.2% for the Class of 2024 and places students in 3,000+ hours of clinical training. The program’s residency placement hit 80% in 2022 and remains among the highest in the region. Its model blends traditional didactics with early, continuous patient care.

SUNY College of Optometry

SUNY’s five-year average NBEO ultimate pass rate is 95–97%. Students complete over 2,400 clinical hours at the University Eye Center and partner hospitals. The program is backed by multiple NEI R01 grants and emphasizes research, making it ideal for future clinician-scientists.

MCPHS University School of Optometry

MCPHS saw NBEO Part I rates rise to 61.7% in 2023, up from 28.8% in 2021. It offers clinical training across 60+ sites and a 9:1 student-to-preceptor ratio. While improving, its foundational science preparation has shown instability.

Puerto Rico

Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry

As of 2024, IAUPR is classified “Accredited with Conditions” by ACOE. Its NBEO Part I pass rate was just 16.7% in 2025, raising major concerns about academic readiness. The program emphasizes bilingual clinical training and serves patients through five satellite hospital clinics.

Trends Since 2019

Over the past five years, optometry program outcomes have shifted in meaningful ways. Several national and regional trends can help you understand the broader educational landscape and what to expect post-graduation.

NBEO First-Time Pass Rates: Dip and Recovery

NBEO Part I first-time pass rates declined across many programs between 2021 and 2023, likely reflecting pandemic-era disruptions to preclinical education. For example, Indiana University’s first-time pass rate dropped to 51.3% in 2023–2024, down from 68.3% in 2022–2023. Western University experienced similar declines, reaching a 3-year average of just 26.5% by 2024.

By contrast, schools like The Ohio State University consistently posted first-time pass rates above 90% across the same period, bucking the trend and highlighting the role of institutional support and curriculum stability.

Residency Placement: A Shifting Market

ORMatch data from 2025 showed a paradox in the residency match process: while 81% of applicants matched, 38% of all positions remained unfilled. This disconnect signals a growing divide between student preferences (often for VA and specialty residencies) and available spots at lesser-known programs.

Programs with strong residency placement networks, such as Pennsylvania College of Optometry and SUNY, continue to place large numbers of graduates in competitive residencies. Meanwhile, community-based programs like NSU-OK and UIW-RSO emphasize full-scope externships over post-graduate placements, offering hands-on training during the degree itself.

VA Affiliations as a Clinical Anchor

Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers remain a cornerstone of advanced optometric training. Programs like UAB, Ohio State, Pacific, and Berkeley maintain long-standing partnerships with multiple VA clinics. These sites offer experience with complex ocular disease in interdisciplinary teams, often under the supervision of residency-trained optometrists.

Students rotating through VA sites typically encounter a wider scope of pathology, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and hypertensive retinopathy. VA exposure also correlates with stronger NBEO Part II and Part III scores due to the hands-on nature of these settings.

Definitions and Measurement

To compare programs fairly, it's important to understand the definitions behind the numbers.

• NBEO (National Board of Examiners in Optometry): A three-part exam suite required for licensure in all U.S. states and territories.
  
  • Part I (Applied Basic Science): Covers anatomy, physiology, optics, and disease mechanisms.
    
  • Part II (Patient Assessment and Management): Uses clinical scenarios to assess diagnostic reasoning.
    
  • Part III (Clinical Skills / PEPS): Live patient encounter simulation testing procedures and communication.
    
• First-Time Pass Rate: Percentage of students who pass a part of the NBEO on their first attempt during a specific year.
  
• Ultimate Pass Rate: Percentage of a program’s graduating class that passes all three NBEO parts by graduation or shortly after. Some schools may require passing NBEO parts to graduate, which can influence reported rates.
  
• Externship: A required off-campus rotation in a student’s fourth year. Sites may include VA hospitals, Indian Health Service clinics, or community practices.
  
• Residency: A voluntary post-graduate year of advanced clinical training in areas like ocular disease, contact lenses, pediatrics, or low vision. Matched via the ORMatch system.
  
• ACOE Accreditation Status:
  
  • Accredited: Full compliance with educational standards.
    
  • Accredited with Conditions: Serious deficiencies requiring correction.
    
  • Preliminary Approval: Early-stage approval; program not fully accredited yet.

Methodology and Data Notes

This guide synthesizes public data across dozens of U.S. optometry programs between 2019 and 2025. Data sources include:

• NBEO: Part I–III pass rates (first-time and ultimate), 3-year rolling averages.
  
• ACOE: Accreditation decisions and status changes.
  
• ORMatch: National and program-level residency placement trends.
  
• ASCO / OptomCAS: Class profiles, GPA/OAT medians, and graduation rates.
  
• NIH RePORTER: Verification of NEI P30 core grants and active R01 vision science grants.
  
• Program websites: Curriculum, clinical site directories, and student outcome summaries.

Data Transformations

• 3-Year Rolling Averages: Used where available to reduce single-year volatility (e.g., NBEO scores from 2021–2024).
  
• Missing Data (NR): If programs did not publish metrics or offered conflicting numbers, we marked them “NR” and excluded them from scoring.
  
• Small Cell Suppression: Programs with fewer than five examinees in a metric were not included in comparative stats to protect privacy.

Limitations

Some schools, including UC Berkeley, UHCO, and Nova Southeastern, did not publicly publish NBEO outcomes during the review window. In such cases, we used clinical or research data to guide placement. ACOE’s latest status actions were cross-checked as of September 2, 2025.

All statistics are rounded to the nearest full percent or point. Sources are provided at the end of the full article in a numbered list for transparency.
Phone: (614) 292-2647 

Optometry Career Outlook

There is a positive outlook regarding optometry careers. This means that job opportunities should increase in the following years:

Here are some statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 10 percent from 2021 to 2031.
• On average, there are also about 1,700 openings for optometrists projected each year, on average, over the decade.

The increase in opportunities for optometry jobs results from better technology in the field. Some of the openings are also from professionals who have left the field. This may be due to retirement or a change of career direction.

List of Colleges and Schools of Optometry in the U.S.

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