Optometry is related to the eye. Optometry is a specialized health care profession that pertains to a comprehensive examination (eye testing), diagnosis, treatment, and management of the human visual system. In this article we shall see What colleges have optometry programs?
A person who studies Optometry is an Optometrist and, they are eye care professionals who have been trained in the field of optometry. They are trained to recognize eye diseases and learn their treatments.
Optometry is a high-ranking course in the US. During the 2020-2021 academic year, a total of 7,339 students were enrolled in the Doctor of Optometry Degree program. The tuition fee for optometry majors in in-state public colleges is an average cost of $10,215 and an average cost of $32,370 for out-of-state private colleges.
In America currently, twenty-three accredited educational institutions are offering the Doctor of Optometry Degree.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, University of Houston College of Optometry, Indiana University School of Optometry, Oklahoma College of Optometry, and Michigan College of Optometry are the top institutions offering Optometry in America.
What are the 23 accredited institutions offering Optometry in America?
- The University of Alabama (Birmingham): This university is a public research institution founded in 1969. It was created from an academic extension center established in 1936. They have a total number of 13,836 undergraduates enrolled.
Their colors are Green, White, and Gold and they are nicknamed the Blazers.
The university offers 140 programs and they have one of the enormous educational medical centers in the United States.
- Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry, Glendale: The Arizona College of Optometry can be found in Glendale, AZ. It was granted the Accreditation Classification of Accredited on December 2nd, 2020 by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education(ACOE). The university rates high in ranked optometry schools in the US because it graduates 98 percent of its students.
The AZ College of Optometry has an acceptance rate of 10 percent.
- Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University
- University of California, Berkeley: University of California School of Optometry is located in Berkeley. Its establishment van is traced to around a century ago. Their students are opportune to receive high-quality training and work with patients from their first year. They have an acceptance rate of 37 percent and a pass rate of close to 93 percent.
- Western University of Health Sciences
- Nova Southeastern University: The Nova Southeastern College of Optometry has an acceptance rate of 11 percent and an over 90 percent pass rate.
The students practice two years of science instructions and two years of pure clinical studies
- Illinois College of Optometry: The Illinois College of Optometry is among the institutions continuously topping lists of ranked optometry schools.
They have an acceptance rate of 13 percent and their students have a pass rate of over 92 percent.
They offer their students opportunities for residency programs.
- Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry
- Indiana University: Is fixed in Bloomington, Indiana. Resident students pay a tuition fee of $242,519 while non-resident students pay a tuition fee of $292,690.
- University of Pikeville – Kentucky College of Optometry: Is located in Pikeville, KY, close to the Appalachia mountains. The institution was established in 2016 but they have an impressive pass rate of 92 percent. Their acceptance rate is 38 percent.
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: It is located at Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA.
- New England College of Optometry: The New England College of Optometry is located in Massachusetts. Founded in 1894, it is a private optometry college and one of the oldest operating colleges of Optometry in the US. It enrolls over 500 students every year.
- Michigan College of Optometry: This College ranks as one of the best schools in the US. They have a pass rate of about 90 percent every year. In 2015 and 2012, they had a 100 percent pass rate.
The tuition cost is $34,744 every year.
- The University of Missouri at St. Louis: The institution has a fine acceptance rate of 31 percent and a pass rate of over 95 percent. It is no wonder, the reason they continue to rank high among optometry schools in the US.
- The State University of New York in New York City: The State University of New York known as Suny College of Optometry has an acceptance rate of 23 percent and a pass rate of 96.84 percent.
The school requires a standard GPA of 3.5 and a standard OAT score of 345.
- Ohio State University: It is recognized as one of the nation’s best schools, managed by the State Department of Education. It is located in Columbus, Ohio.
They have a pass rate of over 97 percent and an acceptance rate of 14 percent.
- Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry: It requires a minimum GPA of 2.70. Their students have specific and specialized clinical experience.
Tuition fees for resident students cost $107,752 and that of non-resident students cost $194,574.
- Pacific University, Forest Grove
- Salus University, Pennsylvania College of Optometry
- The Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
- Southern College of Optometry: Is located in Memphis, TN. It is one of the oldest schools of Optometry in the country and was established in 1932.
Over 10 of their alumnus have held the position of the President of the American Optometric Association. They have an acceptance rate of 18 percent and nearly 99 percent of their students graduate every year.
- University of Houston
- University of the Incarnate Word
Conclusion
While applying to optometry schools, it is important to know about their requirements and make sure you tick all their requirement boxes.
Optometry schools are competitive and are worth it. It is also important to note that it needs full concentration as it involves one of the most delicate organs of the body; the human visual system.
USA Today reported that the unemployment rate for optometrists in 2019 was 01%.
FAQS
- How many years does an Optometry degree last?
A: It lasts for four to seven years.
- What GPA is needed to get into Optometry school?
A: Most schools require a minimum of at least a 3.0 GPA.
