Optometry programs
CIP 5117 · Health Professions & Clinical Sciences · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
21 institutions report graduate earnings for Optometry programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $132,661 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.33× and 96% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, all 21 programs with a benchmark clear the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026).
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Alabama at BirminghamAL · Professional | $145,890 n=41 | 91% 5yr | $164,956 | 1.13× | Above +154% | Clears 2/2 |
| 2 | Midwestern University-Downers GroveIL · Doctoral | $142,092 n=95 | 95% 5yr | $267,742 | 1.88× | Above +107% | Clears 2/2 |
| 3 | Drexel UniversityPA · Professional | $139,102 n=274 | — | — | — | Above +117% | — |
| 4 | Ferris State UniversityMI · Professional | $138,837 n=62 | 97% 5yr | $144,874 | 1.04× | Above +121% | Clears 2/2 |
| 5 | University of Missouri-St LouisMO · Professional | $138,537 n=68 | 98% 5yr | $167,750 | 1.21× | Above +139% | Clears 2/2 |
| 6 | Pacific UniversityOR · Doctoral | $136,799 n=112 | 98% 5yr | $205,643 | 1.50× | Above +120% | Clears 2/2 |
| 7 | Indiana University-BloomingtonIN · Professional | $134,609 n=121 | 96% 5yr | $177,626 | 1.32× | Above +131% | Clears 2/2 |
| 8 | Southern College of OptometryTN · Doctoral | $133,907 n=199 | 98% 5yr | $149,682 | 1.12× | Above +135% | Clears 2/2 |
| 9 | Illinois College of OptometryIL · Professional | $133,895 n=219 | 96% 5yr | $240,830 | 1.80× | Above +95% | Clears 2/2 |
| 10 | University of the Incarnate WordTX · Professional | $133,498 n=106 | 95% 5yr | $238,257 | 1.78× | Above +104% | Clears 2/2 |
| 11 | Ohio State University-Main CampusOH · Professional | $132,661 n=119 | 96% 5yr | $175,334 | 1.32× | Above +111% | Clears 2/2 |
| 12 | University of California-BerkeleyCA · Professional | $130,333 n=97 | 96% 5yr | $151,667 | 1.16× | Above +73% | Clears 2/2 |
| 13 | Nova Southeastern UniversityFL · Doctoral | $130,197 n=141 | 88% 5yr | $205,772 | 1.58× | Above +134% | Clears 2/2 |
| 14 | MCPHS UniversityMA · Professional | $129,752 n=99 | 98% 5yr | $225,520 | 1.74× | Above +71% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | University of HoustonTX · Professional | $129,383 n=161 | 85% | $164,167 | 1.27× | Above +97% | Clears 2/2 |
| 16 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-School of OptometryPR · Professional | $128,116 n=47 | 97% 5yr | $187,840 | 1.47× | Above +360% | Clears 2/2 |
| 17 | SUNY College of OptometryNY · Professional | $127,809 n=73 | 93% 5yr | $168,078 | 1.31× | Above +80% | Clears 2/2 |
| 18 | Western University of Health SciencesCA · Professional | $125,916 n=124 | 95% 5yr | $250,965 | 1.99× | Above +67% | Clears 2/2 |
| 19 | Marshall B Ketchum UniversityCA · Professional | $124,937 n=164 | 93% 5yr | $168,931 | 1.35× | Above +66% | Clears 2/2 |
| 20 | Northeastern State UniversityOK · Professional | $119,476 n=42 | 100% 5yr | $158,826 | 1.33× | Above +120% | Clears 2/2 |
| 21 | New England College of OptometryMA · Professional | $102,704 n=155 | 97% 5yr | $40,500 | 0.39× | Above +36% | Clears 2/2 |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| California | $125,916 | 3 |
States with at least 3 reporting Optometry programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Optometry programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Optometry programs in this dataset are University of Alabama at Birmingham ($145,890), Midwestern University-Downers Grove ($142,092), Drexel University ($139,102). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Optometry programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 0 of the 21 Optometry programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.