Becoming an optometrist is challenging but achievable for students willing to commit to roughly eight years of education after high school: four years of undergraduate study followed by four years of optometry school. The path requires strong science grades, a competitive entrance exam score, and the stamina to get through a doctoral-level clinical program. That said, optometry school is less selective than medical school, and once students get in, the vast majority graduate successfully.
What You Need Before Applying
Optometry schools require a bachelor’s degree (or at least 90 credit hours of prerequisite coursework, depending on the program). The prerequisite list leans heavily on the sciences: general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, microbiology, biochemistry, and statistics or calculus. You’ll also need to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), a standardized exam covering biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning.
Competitive applicants typically carry an undergraduate GPA in the mid-3.5 range or higher. Data from the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry shows that the 2023 entering class had average GPAs ranging from about 3.26 at less selective schools to 3.80 at the most competitive ones. Most programs landed between 3.4 and 3.7. OAT Academic Average scores for admitted students ranged from 280 to 360, with most schools clustering between 300 and 340. For context, the OAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 400, and a 300 represents roughly the 50th percentile.
Beyond numbers, schools look for clinical observation hours (often called “shadowing”), letters of recommendation from optometrists, and a personal statement. Some programs also conduct interviews. Volunteering or research experience can strengthen an application but isn’t always required.
How Selective Is Optometry School?
Optometry school admissions are competitive, but the acceptance rates are more forgiving than medical school. There are roughly two dozen accredited optometry programs in the United States, and applicants typically apply to several. A student with a GPA above 3.4 and an OAT Academic Average above 310 is in reasonable shape at many programs. Students below those thresholds still get in, particularly at schools where the entering class averages sit in the low 3.3 GPA range with OAT scores around 300.
The practical takeaway: you don’t need a perfect transcript. Consistent B-plus to A-minus performance in your science courses, combined with solid OAT preparation, puts you in the applicant pool at most schools. The most selective programs, like UC Berkeley or Ohio State, expect GPAs closer to 3.7 or above and OAT scores well above 340.
What Optometry School Is Like
The Doctor of Optometry (OD) program takes four years. The first two years focus on classroom and lab instruction: ocular anatomy, pharmacology, optics, vision science, and systemic disease. The third and fourth years shift heavily toward clinical rotations, where you examine real patients under supervision in settings like school clinics, VA hospitals, and private practices.
The workload is demanding. Expect a schedule comparable to medical school in terms of hours spent studying and in class, though optometry curricula are more narrowly focused on the eye and visual system rather than the full body. Students regularly describe the first year as the steepest adjustment, with a heavy volume of memorization in anatomy and optics.
The good news is that once you’re in, your odds of finishing are excellent. ASCO data shows that annual attrition rates from optometry programs have stayed between 1.1% and 2.2% of the total student body over the past two decades. In other words, roughly 98% of students who start optometry school make it through. The most common reasons students leave are academic difficulty and personal or financial reasons, but both are relatively rare.
Licensing After Graduation
Graduating with an OD degree isn’t quite the finish line. To practice, you need to pass the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exams, which consist of three parts covering applied basic science, clinical skills, and patient management. Most students take Parts I and II during optometry school and Part III shortly after graduation. You’ll also need to meet your state’s specific licensing requirements, which may include a jurisprudence exam covering local optometry laws. Some states require a residency for certain specialties, though a residency is optional for general practice.
The Cost and Financial Picture
Optometry school is expensive. Tuition for the four-year OD program typically runs between $150,000 and $250,000 at most institutions, with private schools at the higher end. When you add living expenses, many graduates carry total student loan debt well above $200,000.
The earning potential, however, is solid. The median annual wage for optometrists was $134,830 as of May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned under $70,060 (often new graduates or those in lower-cost areas), while the highest 10% earned over $203,210. Starting salaries for new graduates are typically lower than the median but climb within a few years of practice. Most optometrists can manage their student debt on this income, though it takes discipline, particularly in the first few years. Income-driven repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (for those working in qualifying nonprofit or government settings) are common strategies.
How Long the Entire Path Takes
Here’s the full timeline from start to finish:
- Undergraduate degree: 4 years
- Optometry school: 4 years
- Licensing exams: Taken during and shortly after optometry school, so no significant additional time
- Optional residency: 1 year, if you want to specialize in areas like pediatric optometry, ocular disease, or vision therapy
Most people are practicing optometrists about eight years after starting college. That’s shorter than the path for physicians (who face three to seven years of residency after medical school) but longer than many other healthcare careers like nursing or physician assisting.
Is It Worth the Effort?
Optometry offers a combination that attracts many students: a doctoral-level healthcare career with strong earnings, relatively predictable hours, and high autonomy (many optometrists own their own practices or work set schedules in clinical settings). The path is genuinely difficult, requiring years of rigorous science coursework and clinical training. But it’s not the most grueling route in healthcare. Admissions are competitive without being cutthroat, the graduation rate is extremely high, and the career at the other end pays well above the national average. If you’re comfortable with science coursework, willing to invest eight years of education, and can manage significant student debt in the short term, the barriers are surmountable.