2026 Best Value Optical Enginering Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #1 spot for value among optical enginering schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for optical enginering graduates is $26,880. Soon after graduation, optical enginering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $75,498. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #2 place for optical enginering. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. 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. Early-career optical enginering graduates make about $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

Students looking for strong value in optical enginering will find it at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Optical Enginering graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Early-career optical enginering graduates make about $79,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.

4

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

A rank of #4 makes University Of Rochester one of the best values for optical enginering. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the optical enginering program here. Soon after graduation, optical enginering degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $83,705. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.

5

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

Students looking for strong value in optical enginering will find it at University Of Dayton, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Typical student debt for optical enginering graduates is $26,625. Early-career optical enginering graduates make about $79,409. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

6

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology
Terre Haute, IN

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value optical enginering schools. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,046. Typical student debt for optical enginering graduates is $26,161. Early-career optical enginering graduates make about $80,062. That is a strong return on a $26,161 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.