Optometry School Acceptance Rates by OAT Score and GPA

Two numbers, a small field

Optometry admission turns mostly on two numbers — your OAT score and your GPA — evaluated across a small field of roughly two dozen US programs. The OAT scores on a 200–400 scale, where about 300 is the national average and roughly 320 and above is competitive at most schools. Optometry sits in the middle of the selectivity spectrum: more accessible than medicine or dentistry, but far from automatic, and several programs weigh in-state residency heavily.

OAT 330+, GPA 3.5+

This combination opens every door. You are competitive at the most selective programs and a strong candidate everywhere else, often with scholarship consideration. Your numbers sit at or above the enrolled-student range at nearly every school.

OAT 310–329, GPA 3.2–3.5

This is the profile of a large share of competitive applicants. You are solidly in range at the majority of US optometry programs and a strong candidate at your in-state school. The most selective programs become a reach where shadowing, letters, and the interview need to carry weight.

OAT 300–309, GPA 3.0–3.2

You have genuine options, concentrated at less selective programs and your home-state school if it favors residents. Consider whether retaking the OAT for a 10–15 point gain — or lifting prerequisite grades — would meaningfully widen your list before you apply.

OAT below 300 or GPA below 3.0

Your competitive range narrows, but the field's mid-selectivity means it does not close. A clear upward grade trend, strong recent science coursework, and substantive optometry shadowing keep several programs realistic. Target schools where your numbers sit at or above the enrolled range, and treat a retake seriously if your practice scores support it. For the scale in depth, see what is a good OAT score.

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What the numbers don't capture

Residency status, optometry shadowing hours, and the interview move real decisions. Programs such as the New England College of Optometry, UC Berkeley, and the Illinois College of Optometry draw stronger pools, while many state programs favor residents at the same numbers. Use the ranges above as a starting framework, then refine with school-specific data and apply early through OptomCAS. For GPA specifics, see GPA and optometry school admissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What OAT score do I need for optometry school?

The OAT runs 200–400 with a national average near 300. Roughly 320 and above is competitive at most US programs, and 330+ keeps you in range at the most selective ones. Below 300 narrows your options, though a strong GPA and shadowing record can offset a modest score at many schools.

Is optometry school hard to get into?

It sits in the middle. Optometry is more accessible than medical or dental school but is not a formality — across roughly two dozen US programs, you still need a competitive OAT, a solid GPA, and genuine optometry exposure. Several programs also favor in-state residents.

How are the OAT and GPA weighted?

Most programs weight the OAT and GPA roughly equally as the quantitative core of the file, then layer in shadowing hours, letters, the personal statement, and an interview. A weakness in one number can be partly offset by strength in the other, but a deficit in both is hard to overcome.

Does science GPA matter for optometry admissions?

Yes. Prerequisite and science GPA are scrutinized because the curriculum is science-heavy. A strong science GPA can reassure a committee about a slightly lower cumulative figure, and weak prerequisite grades are worth retaking before reapplying.

How many optometry schools should I apply to?

Because the field is small, apply broadly relative to the number of programs and prioritize schools where your OAT and GPA sit at or above the enrolled range — plus any state program that favors residents. Applying early in the OptomCAS cycle improves your position.