2026 Best Value Optical Enginering Schools

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2026 list of the best value optical enginering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Optical Enginering graduates carry a median of $18,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, optical enginering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. That is a strong return on a $18,667 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

Students looking for strong value in optical enginering will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $26,880 to complete the optical enginering program here. Soon after graduation, optical enginering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $87,042. Set against $26,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

3

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned it the #3 place for optical enginering. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for optical enginering graduates is $27,500. Early-career optical enginering graduates make about $79,857. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.

4

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Rochester earned it the #4 place for optical enginering. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Optical Enginering graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Optical Enginering graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $83,705 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

Students looking for strong value in optical enginering will find it at University Of Dayton, which ranked #5. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the optical enginering program here. Optical Enginering graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $87,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.

6

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology
Terre Haute, IN

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology came in at #6 for value in optical enginering this year. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $56,046 in tuition and fees. Optical Enginering graduates carry a median of $26,161 in student loans. Optical Enginering graduates of Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology earn a median of $80,062 early in their careers. Set against $26,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.