Optometry School Tuition 2025
Tuition comparison for 24 ASCO-accredited US optometry schools — in-state and out-of-state costs, sorted by affordability.
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Data: official admissions disclosures · Last updated August 2026
24
Schools
$18,500
Lowest (Resident)
$39,050
Median (Resident)
$51,200
Highest (Resident)
Most Affordable Optometry Schools
The 10 most affordable ASCO-accredited US optometry schools by in-state tuition.
| School | In-State |
|---|---|
| Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry Tahlequah, OK | $18,500 |
| Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State Big Rapids, MI | $19,900 |
| Inter American University School of Optometry San Juan, PR | $21,600 |
| University of Houston College of Optometry Houston, TX | $26,075 |
| The Ohio State University College of Optometry Columbus, OH | $28,864 |
| University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry St. Louis, MO | $29,120 |
| SUNY College of Optometry New York, NY | $30,710 |
| UAB School of Optometry Birmingham, AL | $30,736 |
| Rocky Mountain University College of Optometry Provo, UT | $32,835 |
| Indiana University School of Optometry Bloomington, IN | $33,678 |
Most Expensive Optometry Schools
The 10 highest-tuition ASCO-accredited US optometry schools.
| School | In-State |
|---|---|
| Southern California College of Optometry Fullerton, CA | $51,200 |
| Pacific University College of Optometry Hillsboro, OR | $50,028 |
| Illinois College of Optometry Chicago, IL | $49,905 |
| MCPHS University School of Optometry Worcester, MA | $48,500 |
| New England College of Optometry Boston, MA | $48,168 |
| Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry Pomona, CA | $46,860 |
| Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry Glendale, AZ | $46,700 |
| Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry Downers Grove, IL | $46,700 |
| Southern College of Optometry Memphis, TN | $43,406 |
| University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry Pikeville, KY | $42,000 |
All Optometry Schools by Tuition
Frequently Asked Questions
Which optometry schools have the lowest tuition?
The five most affordable ACOE-accredited optometry schools by published resident tuition in the 2025 data are Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry ($18,500), Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State ($19,900), Inter American University School of Optometry ($21,600), University of Houston College of Optometry ($26,075), and The Ohio State University College of Optometry ($28,864). These are annual resident (in-state) figures in US dollars, not total cost of attendance, and most of the cheapest programmes are public schools whose non-resident rate is substantially higher.
Which optometry schools are the most expensive?
The five highest published tuitions among ACOE-accredited optometry schools in the 2025 data are Southern California College of Optometry ($51,200), Pacific University College of Optometry ($50,028), Illinois College of Optometry ($49,905), MCPHS University School of Optometry ($48,500), and New England College of Optometry ($48,168), quoted as annual resident tuition in US dollars. Sticker price is a poor guide to what a given applicant pays — schools with the highest published tuition often discount most heavily through merit scholarships, so compare offers, not list prices.
How much does optometry school cost in 2025?
Annual tuition at ACOE-accredited optometry schools ranges from approximately $25,000 at the lowest in-state public programmes to over $75,000 at the most expensive private institutions. AdmitBase publishes both in-state (resident) and out-of-state (non-resident) tuition for every optometry school in the table below.
What is the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition?
Public optometry schools typically charge significantly lower tuition to state residents than to out-of-state applicants. The differential can exceed $30,000 per year. Private programmes generally charge a single tuition rate regardless of residency. Where AdmitBase has both values, both are displayed.
Does tuition include living expenses?
No. Tuition is the published price of instruction only. Total cost of attendance — which includes housing, food, books, fees, and health insurance — typically adds $20,000–$35,000 per year on top of tuition, depending on the city. Each optometry school publishes its own estimated cost of attendance, which is the figure a loan is sized against.
Are scholarships and grants common at optometry schools?
Scholarship availability varies widely. Many optometry schools award merit scholarships to applicants whose OAT and GPA exceed the school's 75th-percentile median. Some programmes are need-blind; others meet full demonstrated need. AdmitBase publishes scholarship and grant data when a school reports it in its ASCO profile disclosure.
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