Optometry graduates pursue 1 occupations, with top roles paying $136,570/yr or more. The career cards below break down wages, daily tasks, and 10-year job growth projections for each.
Optometry is a focused area of study within Health. The program is available at 24 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 1,789 students complete this program each year, most earning a certificate. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.
Colleges Offering
24
Graduates / Year
1,789
Avg Net Price / yr
$20,373
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 1,789 students who complete Optometry programs each year, the majority (99%) earn a certificate degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
99%
Certificate99%
Post-Master's Cert.1%
What Can You Do With an Optometry Degree?
Optometry connects to 1 occupations in the job market. Optometrist leads at $136,570/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions.
Examine eyes, using observation, instruments, and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus, and coordination and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities, such as glaucoma or color blindness.
Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.
Top Colleges for Optometry
The 12 colleges below are ranked by how many Optometry students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Optometry program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Optometry shows 1 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +8.0% over the next decade, with Optometrist among the fastest-growing roles.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMost roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Limited program availabilityOnly 24 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
Optometry Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs can you get with a Optometry degree?
Optometry degree holders pursue careers including Optometrist, which pays a median of $136,570/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Optometry program take?
Most Optometry certificate programs take one to two years of full-time study. Some are available in as little as one semester at community colleges.
How many colleges offer Optometry?
24 colleges and universities in the United States offer Optometry programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
What is the difference between Optometry and Health?
Optometry is a focused concentration within the broader Health field. The Health major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Optometry-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Optometry graduates?
Employers hiring Optometry graduates consistently prioritize clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles.
Is graduate school worth it for Optometry graduates?
In health fields, advanced degrees (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically unlock significantly higher salaries and expanded scope of practice, making graduate education a strong investment for most students. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
Related Health Programs
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Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
How to Choose a Major Pillar
A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.
Why the 10-year job-growth outlook often matters more than today's salary, what the BLS projections measure, and how to use them to weigh the future of a field, not just its present.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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