Best Optometry Degrees in the US by ROI
Top colleges ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment across all active states. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
17
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$1,295,736
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$32,987
Cost of attendance
| # | College | State | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New England College of Optometry | MA | +$1,646,460 | $124,323 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 | Salus University | PA | +$1,545,280 | $119,264 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 | SUNY College of Optometry | NY | +$1,492,540 | $116,627 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Indiana University-Bloomington
Grad rate: 81.2% |
IN | +$1,420,298 | $115,751 | $27,361 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
MCPHS University
Grad rate: 62.4% |
MA | +$1,336,250 | $114,710 | $58,975 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Northeastern State University
Grad rate: 37.6% |
OK | +$1,329,812 | $110,418 | $19,274 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
University of the Incarnate Word
Grad rate: 52.5% |
TX | +$1,293,720 | $111,271 | $45,850 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
University of Missouri-St Louis
Grad rate: 54.4% |
MO | +$1,263,136 | $107,901 | $27,442 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Ferris State University
Grad rate: 48.6% |
MI | +$1,260,508 | $107,632 | $26,066 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 | Illinois College of Optometry | IL | +$1,248,000 | $104,400 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Grad rate: 63.4% |
AL | +$1,246,028 | $107,084 | $27,826 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Grad rate: 87.9% |
OH | +$1,219,800 | $105,922 | $29,320 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 13 | Marshall B Ketchum University | CA | +$1,186,120 | $101,306 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
University of California-Berkeley
Grad rate: 93.5% |
CA | +$1,166,604 | $104,601 | $42,708 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 15 | Western University of Health Sciences | CA | +$1,138,040 | $98,902 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 16 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-School of Optometry | PR | +$1,129,440 | $98,472 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
University of Houston
Grad rate: 64.0% |
TX | +$1,105,488 | $99,780 | $25,056 | N/A | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Optometry Degrees by State
Browse Optometry programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.