Optics/Optical Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools to find the best for optics/optical sciences students.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Choosing a Great Optics/Optical Sciences School
Where you study optics/optical sciences matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Optics/Optical Sciences Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Optics/Optical Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than University Of Rochester this year for optics/optical sciences. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 optics/optical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, optics/optical sciences degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
See the full optics/optical sciences program report for University Of Rochester
Students looking for a strong optics/optical sciences program will find one at University Of Arizona, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. About 128 optics/optical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Graduates of the optics/optical sciences program make about $107,496 in their early career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $20,650 in student loans.
See the full optics/optical sciences program report for University Of Arizona
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the top schools for optics/optical sciences. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 optics/optical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Optics/optical Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $70,150 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in optics/optical sciences from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Rochester Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in optics/optical sciences, ranking #4. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 26 optics/optical sciences degrees were awarded at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, optics/optical sciences degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $48,374. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full optics/optical sciences details for Rochester Institute Of Technology
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 20 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).
