Optometry school is moderately competitive, sitting below medical school but above many other graduate health programs. Acceptance rates across the 24 accredited U.S. programs range from roughly 19% to 41% for the 2025 entering class, and admitted students typically carry cumulative GPAs between 3.4 and 3.8. The level of difficulty varies significantly depending on which schools you target, how you score on the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), and the strength of your clinical experiences.
Acceptance Rates Across Programs
There are currently 24 accredited Doctor of Optometry programs in the United States and Puerto Rico, each with its own applicant pool and selectivity. For the 2025 entering class, the University of Houston’s College of Optometry admitted about 19% of applicants, making it one of the most selective programs. UC Berkeley admitted roughly 34%, SUNY College of Optometry about 30%, and Midwestern University’s Chicago campus around 27%.
Several private programs accept a larger share of their applicants. The University of Pikeville admitted about 41%, and Nova Southeastern University accepted roughly 38% of its pool. These numbers don’t mean the programs are easy to get into. A 40% acceptance rate still means most applicants are turned away, and the admitted students at these schools still hold strong academic records. But the range does mean your odds improve considerably if you apply broadly rather than targeting only the most selective programs.
One thing to keep in mind: many applicants apply to multiple schools, so individual program numbers can overstate overall difficulty. A student who applies to eight schools and gets into three counts as a rejected applicant at five of them. The real question is whether you can get in somewhere, and a well-prepared applicant with a solid GPA and OAT score who applies to a reasonable mix of programs has a good chance.
GPA Expectations
For the 2024 entering class, mean cumulative GPAs among admitted students ranged from 3.38 at several programs (Western University, MCPHS, Inter American University) up to 3.80 at Indiana University. Most programs landed between 3.50 and 3.75. Ohio State, UC Berkeley, Ferris State, Northeastern State, and Alabama all admitted classes with average GPAs above 3.70.
A GPA below 3.4 doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but it puts you at or below the average at the least selective programs. If your GPA sits in the 3.5 to 3.6 range, you’re competitive at a solid number of schools. Above 3.7, you’re at or above the mean at nearly every program in the country. Science GPA matters too, since admissions committees look closely at your performance in biology, chemistry, physics, and math courses.
OAT Score Benchmarks
The OAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 400, with 300 representing the 50th percentile. Admissions committees focus primarily on two composite scores: the Academic Average (AA) and Total Science (TS). For the 2024 entering class, mean AA scores among admitted students ranged from 289 at Inter American University to 355 at Ohio State. Most programs admitted classes with AA averages between 315 and 345.
At selective public programs, you’ll want to aim higher. UC Berkeley’s admitted class averaged a 353 AA and 350 TS. Ohio State averaged 355 and 355. SUNY came in at 350 and 350. At mid-range programs, AA scores in the 320s and 330s are typical for admitted students. Programs like the University of Pikeville (318 AA), Rocky Mountain (314 AA), and the University of Missouri-St. Louis (312 AA) admit students with scores closer to the national average.
If your AA lands above 330, you’re competitive at most programs. Below 310, your options narrow significantly, though a strong GPA and compelling experiences can offset a modest score at some schools.
Clinical Experience and Shadowing
Beyond grades and test scores, optometry schools expect you to demonstrate genuine understanding of the profession through shadowing. While most programs don’t publish a strict minimum hour requirement, admissions committees generally want to see at least 30 hours of observation. More importantly, they want to see variety. Shadowing in three or more optometry offices across different practice settings (private practice, a hospital-based clinic, a pediatric or specialty office) strengthens your application far more than logging 100 hours in a single location.
Letters of recommendation from optometrists you’ve shadowed carry weight, as do volunteer experiences in health care and leadership roles in pre-optometry or science organizations. These elements won’t rescue a weak GPA, but among candidates with similar numbers, strong clinical exposure and thoughtful personal statements often make the difference.
How Optometry Compares to Other Health Programs
To put the numbers in perspective, medical school acceptance rates hover around 40% to 45% for all applicants nationally, but that figure is somewhat misleading because the pre-screening is more intense (MCAT scores, extensive prerequisites, thousands of clinical hours). Dental school acceptance rates are similar to optometry’s range. Pharmacy school and physician assistant programs vary widely but have seen rising acceptance rates in recent years as applicant pools have shifted.
Optometry occupies a middle ground. You need strong science coursework and a dedicated admissions test, but the prerequisite load is lighter than medical school, the applicant pool is smaller, and the number of seats relative to applicants is more favorable. The four-year OD curriculum is rigorous, but the path to getting in is achievable for students who plan ahead.
The Applicant Pool Is Evolving
The optometry landscape is slowly expanding. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley received approval in early 2025 to launch a new School of Optometry, with plans to enroll about 40 students per cohort starting as early as fall 2027. It will be the second public optometry school in Texas, alongside the University of Houston. New programs like this gradually increase the total number of available seats, which can ease competition slightly over time.
That said, applicant interest in optometry has also grown, so adding seats doesn’t necessarily make admission easier. Programs that have been around longer tend to have more established reputations and clinical networks, which can make their seats more sought after even as new options emerge.
Building a Competitive Application
Your strongest move is starting early. Take your science prerequisites seriously, since a high science GPA signals that you can handle the OD curriculum. Begin studying for the OAT at least three to four months before your test date, and take practice exams to identify weak areas. Most applicants take the OAT in the spring or summer before the admissions cycle opens.
Start shadowing during your sophomore or junior year so you have time to visit multiple offices and build relationships with optometrists who can write detailed recommendation letters. Apply through OptomCAS, the centralized application service, and submit your application as early as possible in the cycle. Programs review applications on a rolling basis, so earlier applicants have access to more interview slots and seats.
Apply to a range of programs. If your GPA is around 3.5 and your OAT AA is in the low 330s, you’re a strong candidate at many schools but may face tough odds at the most selective ones. Casting a wider net, perhaps eight to twelve schools across different selectivity levels, gives you the best shot at multiple acceptances and the ability to choose the program that fits your goals and budget.