2026 Best Optical Enginering Master’s Degree Schools

Optical Enginering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for optical enginering students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

• Best Master’s Degree Optical Enginering Schools
• Other Degree Levels

Best Schools for Optical Enginering in the United States

Below are the best optical enginering schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Optical Enginering

1

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

40 Optical Enginering Degrees Awarded

$83,705 Median Starting Salary

Our analysis ranked University Of Rochester the best school in the country for a degree in optical enginering. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Rochester graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 40 optical enginering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data year. Optical Enginering graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $83,705 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750. Read more about the optical enginering program at University Of Rochester

2

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

32 Optical Enginering Degrees Awarded

$98,585 Median Starting Salary

University Of Central Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in optical enginering, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 optical enginering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, optical enginering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $98,585. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $26,880 in student loans. Read more about the optical enginering program at University Of Central Florida

Other Optical Enginering Degree Levels

Explore the best optical enginering schools at other degree levels:

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 7 schools evaluated.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.