2026 Best Optics/Optical Sciences Schools in New York

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.

College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best optics/optical sciences schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Optics/Optical Sciences Schools in New York

Best Schools for Optics/Optical Sciences in New York

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the optics/optical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Optics/Optical Sciences

1

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

46 Optics/Optical Sciences Degrees Awarded

$60,865 Median Starting Salary

No school ranked higher than University Of Rochester this year for optics/optical sciences. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. 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. Graduates of the optics/optical sciences program make about $60,865 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Get the full optics/optical sciences details for University Of Rochester

2

Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester, NY

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

26 Optics/Optical Sciences Degrees Awarded

$48,374 Median Starting Salary

Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best optics/optical sciences schools. 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. Students who receive their optics/optical sciences degree from Rochester Institute Of Technology earn around $48,374 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in optics/optical sciences from Rochester Institute Of Technology

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 3 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.