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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician Schools in the Southeast Region

4 Colleges in the United States
$15,162 Avg Student Debt
$37,667 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician Badge [Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician](/majors/health-care-professions/ophthalmic-optometric-support-services/opticianry-ophthalmic-dispensing-optician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician Schools in the Southeast Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician Schools

1

For return on investment in opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician, no school beat Durham Technical Community College this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Opticianry/ophthalmic Dispensing Optician graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Early-career opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician graduates make about $61,860. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.

2

A rank of #2 makes J Sargeant Reynolds Community College one of the best values for opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician graduates is $16,131. Soon after graduation, opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Hillsborough Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician schools. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Opticianry/ophthalmic Dispensing Optician graduates carry a median of $19,464 in student loans. Soon after graduation, opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $48,106. Set against $19,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Ogeechee Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician, landing the #4 spot this year. Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesboro. Students from in state pay about $3,388 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,956. Opticianry/ophthalmic Dispensing Optician graduates carry a median of $11,894 in student loans. Opticianry/ophthalmic Dispensing Optician graduates of Ogeechee Technical College earn a median of $35,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

A rank of #5 makes Roane State Community College one of the best values for opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,998, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician graduates is $9,408. Soon after graduation, opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $33,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Georgia Piedmont Technical College came in at #6 for value in opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician this year. Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Clarkston. In-state tuition and fees average $3,404, while out-of-state students pay about $5,954. Opticianry/ophthalmic Dispensing Optician graduates carry a median of $15,716 in student loans. Opticianry/ophthalmic Dispensing Optician graduates of Georgia Piedmont Technical College earn a median of $42,073 early in their careers. Set against $15,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College earned the #7 position for value in opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician this year. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,830 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,952. Typical student debt for opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician graduates is $13,110. Opticianry/ophthalmic Dispensing Optician graduates of Broward College earn a median of $51,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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