Field of study · CIP 51.17
Optometry
Offered at 28 college programs that reported results. Here is what graduates earn and owe at each credential level, and which programs pay best.
By credential level
| Credential | Programs | Typical earnings, 1 yr | Typical earnings, 5 yrs | Typical debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctoral | 5 | $115,787 | $134,937 | — |
| Professional | 22 | $108,503 | $132,525 | — |
| Graduate certificate | 1 | — | — | — |
"Typical" is the median across programs of each program's median, counting only programs with unsuppressed data (at least three). It describes a typical program, not a national median for all graduates. Certificate figures include certificates earned at four-year colleges, often alongside a bachelor's; see degrees vs. certificates for a cleaner comparison. Source: College Scorecard field of study data.
Highest-earning doctoral programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midwestern University-Downers Grove | IL | $125,364 | $135,651 | — |
| 2 | Pacific University | OR | $125,292 | $135,572 | — |
| 3 | Nova Southeastern University | FL | $111,380 | $134,302 | — |
| 4 | Southern College of Optometry | TN | $113,330 | $133,595 | — |
| 5 | Drexel University | PA | $115,787 | — | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning professional programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | AL | $116,552 | $142,311 | — |
| 2 | Ferris State University | MI | $119,021 | $139,037 | — |
| 3 | Ohio State University-Main Campus | OH | $100,289 | $136,947 | — |
| 4 | Illinois College of Optometry | IL | $119,302 | $135,576 | — |
| 5 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-School of Optometry | PR | $121,026 | $134,763 | — |
| 6 | Indiana University-Bloomington | IN | $120,296 | $134,542 | — |
| 7 | University of California-Berkeley | CA | $92,704 | $133,352 | — |
| 8 | University of the Incarnate Word | TX | $111,925 | $132,525 | — |
| 9 | New England College of Optometry | MA | — | $132,437 | — |
| 10 | SUNY College of Optometry | NY | $105,145 | $129,275 | — |
| 11 | University of Missouri-St Louis | MO | $103,461 | $125,491 | — |
| 12 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | MA | $90,675 | $125,141 | — |
| 13 | University of Houston | TX | $111,862 | $121,050 | — |
| 14 | Marshall B Ketchum University | CA | $97,456 | $117,853 | — |
| 15 | University of Pikeville | KY | $115,287 | — | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Related fields
Communication Disorders Sciences and ServicesBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings $61,507Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings $64,236DentistryBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings —Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral SciencesBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings —Dental Support Services and Allied ProfessionsBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings $69,646Health and Medical Administrative ServicesBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings $61,968Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings $66,568Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied ProfessionsBachelor's typical 5-yr earnings $76,549
