2026 Best Value Optometry Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Optometry doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 25 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Grad Degree evaluated schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Optometry Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Our analysis found Ferris State University to be the best-value Optometry school in the United States. This public school is set in Big Rapids, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,778. Typical Optometry student debt is $23,562. Median earnings reach $54,735 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Ferris State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern State University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Tahlequah, OK, Northeastern State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete their Optometry program here. Median earnings reach $45,379 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. About 100% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Northeastern State University
Out of the 25 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Salus University landed the #3 spot. Set in Elkins Park, PA, Salus University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Salus University
Out of the 25 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Pikeville College landed the #4 spot. Based in Pikeville, KY, Pikeville College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,850. Typical Optometry student debt is $22,966. Pikeville College alumni report median earnings of $48,231 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Pikeville College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete their Optometry program here. University Of Houston alumni report median earnings of $62,377 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%. Get the full University Of Houston report
University Of The Incarnate Word came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Based in San Antonio, TX, University Of The Incarnate Word is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,090. Graduates carry a median of $28,028 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,733 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,028 median debt. University Of The Incarnate Word has an acceptance rate of 98%. Get the full University Of The Incarnate Word report
University Of Alabama At Birmingham offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public school based in Birmingham, AL. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Suny College Of Optometry ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Optometry schools. Set in New York, NY, Suny College Of Optometry is a public institution. Read the full report on Suny College Of Optometry
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Optometry schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete their Optometry program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Indiana University Bloomington report
Pacific University offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Forest Grove, OR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,374. Students borrow a median of $26,170 to complete their Optometry program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,583. That is a strong return on a $26,170 median debt. Pacific University admits about 90% of applicants. Read more about Pacific University
Midwestern University Glendale ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Optometry schools. Located in Glendale, AZ, Midwestern University Glendale is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Midwestern University Glendale
University Of California Berkeley placed #12 among the best-value Optometry schools in the United States. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. The median Optometry program debt is $14,238. Graduates go on to earn a median of $92,446 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
Western University Of Health Sciences ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Optometry schools. Set in Pomona, CA, Western University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Western University Of Health Sciences report
Midwestern University Downers Grove placed #14 among the best-value Optometry schools in the United States. Set in Downers Grove, IL, Midwestern University Downers Grove is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Midwestern University Downers Grove
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #15 among the best-value Optometry schools in the United States. Based in Saint Louis, MO, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,037 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%. More on University Of Missouri St Louis
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best-value Optometry schools in the United States. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical Optometry student debt is $22,053. Median earnings reach $60,409 ten years out. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 61% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Ohio State University Main Campus
Nova Southeastern University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete their Optometry program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,209 ten years after entry. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Nova Southeastern University report
Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Based in Boston, MA, Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,530. The median Optometry program debt is $29,056. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $125,557. That is a strong return on a $29,056 median debt. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences
Southern California College Of Optometry landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Fullerton, CA, Southern California College Of Optometry is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Southern California College Of Optometry report
Illinois College Of Optometry landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Get the full Illinois College Of Optometry report
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bayamon, PR. Read the full report on Inter American University Of Puerto Rico School Of Optometry
Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions placed #22 among the best-value Optometry schools in the United States. More on Rocky Mountain University Of Health Professions
New England College Of Optometry offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. See the full New England College Of Optometry profile
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Pembroke report
Southern College Of Optometry offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Read the full report on Southern College Of Optometry
Related Optometry Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Optometry Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Optometry Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Optometry Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Optometry Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Optometry Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Optometry Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Optometry Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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