Pre-Optometry

Optometry schools

We track 25 programs awarding the OD across 19 states and provinces. The median cumulative GPA across these programs is 3.48 — 0.02 below the national median for optometry applicants. The median OAT total is 321. Public programs charge a median $31,746 in state against $50,037 out of state.

3.48

Median cumulative GPA

0.02 below the national median

321

Median OAT total

9 below the national median

$31,746

Median in-state tuition, public programs

Median class size

National comparisons use the 2025-2026 admissions cycle.

What this path asks for

Admissions test

OAT — required by all schools. Four subtests (Natural Sciences, Reading, Physics, Quant). Take spring of junior year.

Where you apply

OptomCAS (ASCO) — Cycle opens late June.

Accreditation

ACOE · ~24 accredited OD programs

Letters of recommendation

A science professor and a practicing optometrist (OD).

Prerequisite coursework

No optometry program in our database publishes a structured prerequisite list. These are the courses the path generally expects.

Biology + labs
General Chemistry + labs
Organic Chemistry + labs
Physics + labs
Biochemistry or Microbiology
Calculus
Statistics
English
Psychology

Public and private cost

9 public programs

$31,746

median in-state tuition

$50,037 out of state

16 private programs

$49,836

median tuition

Private programs charge one rate regardless of residency.

Optometry schools by state

All 25 optometry programs

Illinois College of Optometry
Chicago, Illinois · Private
Avg GPA
3.40
OAT total
331
Tuition
$40,000
Class size
125
Indiana University School of Optometry
Bloomington, Indiana · Public
Avg GPA
3.58
OAT total
321
In-state tuition
$38,640
Class size
86
Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry
San Juan, Puerto Rico · Private
Avg GPA
3.25
OAT total
300
Tuition
$31,000
Class size
—
Marshall B. Ketchum University Southern California College of Optometry
Fullerton, California · Private
Avg GPA
3.50
OAT total
341
Tuition
$55,380
Class size
104
MCPHS University School of Optometry
Worcester, Massachusetts · Private
Avg GPA
—
OAT total
—
Tuition
$56,370
Class size
—
Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan · Public
Avg GPA
3.71
OAT total
333
In-state tuition
$43,344
Class size
37
Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry
Glendale, Arizona · Private
Avg GPA
3.69
OAT total
315
Tuition
$50,037
Class size
72
Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry
Downers Grove, Illinois · Private
Avg GPA
3.44
OAT total
315
Tuition
$49,634
Class size
63
New England College of Optometry
Boston, Massachusetts · Private
Avg GPA
3.56
OAT total
331
Tuition
$51,596
Class size
140
Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry
Tahlequah, Oklahoma · Public
Avg GPA
3.82
OAT total
326
In-state tuition
$25,860
Class size
28
Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
Fort Lauderdale, Florida · Private
Avg GPA
3.38
OAT total
318
Tuition
$44,508
Class size
—
Pacific University College of Optometry
Forest Grove, Oregon · Private
Avg GPA
3.44
OAT total
330
Tuition
$54,168
Class size
97
Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Drexel University
Elkins Park, Pennsylvania · Private
Avg GPA
3.36
OAT total
300
Tuition
$50,058
Class size
148
Rocky Mountain University College of Optometry
Provo, Utah · Private
Avg GPA
3.48
OAT total
308
Tuition
$51,245
Class size
70
Rosenberg School of Optometry - University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, Texas · Private
Avg GPA
3.28
OAT total
305
Tuition
$42,900
Class size
—
Southern College of Optometry
Memphis, Tennessee · Private
Avg GPA
3.69
OAT total
339
Tuition
$48,540
Class size
141
SUNY College of Optometry
New York, New York · Public
Avg GPA
3.59
OAT total
330
In-state tuition
$32,200
Class size
96
The Ohio State University College of Optometry
Columbus, Ohio · Public
Avg GPA
3.86
OAT total
358
In-state tuition
$31,746
Class size
69
UAB School of Optometry
Birmingham, Alabama · Public
Avg GPA
3.61
OAT total
320
In-state tuition
$31,656
Class size
58
University of California Berkeley School of Optometry
Berkeley, California · Public
Avg GPA
3.52
OAT total
345
In-state tuition
$52,092
Class size
67
University of Detroit Mercy School of Optometry
Detroit, Michigan · Private
Avg GPA
—
OAT total
—
Tuition
$46,500
Class size
—
University of Houston College of Optometry
Houston, Texas · Public
Avg GPA
3.42
OAT total
325
In-state tuition
$28,509
Class size
94
University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry
St. Louis, Missouri · Public
Avg GPA
3.43
OAT total
292
In-state tuition
$28,160
Class size
—
University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry
Pikeville, Kentucky · Private
Avg GPA
3.48
OAT total
309
Tuition
$48,750
Class size
59
Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry
Pomona, California · Private
Avg GPA
3.35
OAT total
315
Tuition
$50,436
Class size
72

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Data Accuracy & Source Disclosure: The statistics provided (including GPA and test score percentiles) are gathered from publicly available data, university class profiles, and educational reports. This data is provided for informational purposes only. White Coat World is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) or any specific health professional school. While we strive for 100% accuracy, admissions requirements are subject to change; users are encouraged to verify all critical data points with the respective institution's admissions office directly.