by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Optometry explores Optometry. Continue reading for the key facts every optometry student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering optometry programs.
Across the country, optometry is a widely-pursued major, with 1,760 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Optometry Schools ranking analyzes these 23 schools to determine the best overall colleges for optometry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of optometry programs later in this article.
Programs in Optometry build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations optometry graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a optometry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a optometry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several optometry degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 8 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,752 |
People currently working in careers related to optometry tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 95.2% |
| First professional degree | 4.8% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in optometry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying optometry can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to optometry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to optometry.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrists | 1,031,700 | -4.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of optometry graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $101,062 |
| 4 years | $110,646 |
| 5 years | $120,995 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for optometry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers optometry grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Optometrists | $116,847 |
With 23 different optometry programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased optometry school rankings to help you.
Those considering optometry, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Optometry | 1,760 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
