by our College Data Analytics Team
[Pre-Optometry Studies](/majors/health-care-professions/health-medical-preparatory-programs/pre-optometry-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for pre-optometry studies students.
What’s on this page:
The pre-optometry studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Pre-Optometry Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Pre-Optometry Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pre-optometry studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in pre-optometry studies, no school beat South Plains College this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Pre-Optometry Studies graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Early-career pre-optometry studies graduates make about $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Casper College one of the best values for pre-optometry studies. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. In-state tuition and fees average $4,410, compared with $10,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pre-optometry studies graduates is $12,598. Soon after graduation, pre-optometry studies degree recipients from Casper College generally make around $49,729. Set against $12,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-optometry studies schools. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Poplar Bluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $6,060. Students borrow a median of $13,481 to complete the pre-optometry studies program here. Pre-Optometry Studies graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $40,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,481 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences one of the best values for pre-optometry studies. Set in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,530. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the pre-optometry studies program here. Pre-Optometry Studies graduates of Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences earn a median of $30,439 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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Pre-Optometry Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
