DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Optometry Degrees in the United States
#194Most Popular Major
1.7kDegrees Awarded
239Schools Offering Degrees
Optometry was the 194th most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,746 degrees in this year alone.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
What Are The Requirements For a Degree in Optometry
Optometry majors are found most commonly in careers in which giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times is important. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and talking to others to convey information effectively are all required skills for careers related to this major.
ADBLOCK #171
Prior Education for an Optometry Program
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most optometry degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific optometry careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Types of Optometry Degrees
Optometry degree levels vary. Optometry programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest optometry degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a optometry degree varies depending on the program.
Degree
Credit Requirements
Typical Program Length
Associate Degree
60-70 credits
2 years
Bachelor’s Degree
120 credits
4 years
Master’s Degree
50-70 credits
1-3 years
Doctorate
Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation
At least 4 years
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to optometry, with approximately 91.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for optometry workers below.
Level of Education
Percentage of Workers
Doctoral Degree
94.2%
First Professional Degree
9.0%
ADBLOCK #172
Most workers in optometry have at least a doctor's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in optometry have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which optometry career you choose.
Career Opportunities for Optometry Majors
Below AverageNumber of Jobs
$102kAverage Starting Salary
18% GrowthJob Outlook 2016-26
High Growth Projected for Optometry Careers
Want a job when you graduate with your optometry degree? Optometry careers are expected to grow 17.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to optometry.
Occupation Name
Projected Jobs
Expected Growth
Optometrists
47,400
17.9%
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = "health-care-professions//optometry"
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
How Much Money Do Optometry Grads Make?
Recently graduated optometry students earned an average of $101,958 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $81,645 to as high as $125,945. As you might expect, salaries for optometry graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Highest Paid Optometry Careers
Salaries for optometry graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers optometry grads often go into.
Occupation Name
Median Average Salary
Optometrists
$119,980
ADBLOCK #173
Getting Your Optometry Degree
With over 25 different optometry degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased optometry school rankings to help you with this.
by our College Data Analytics Team
