Optometry can be a deeply rewarding career, but before you start helping patients see clearly, it helps to see the full financial picture of your education. Tuition is just the beginning. When you factor in equipment, board exams, and living expenses, the true cost of an optometry degree can be significantly higher than the sticker price. Here’s what to expect.
The Cost of an Optometry Program
Here’s a look at the average cost for all direct expenses — tuition, fees, books, and instruments — for first-year students, according to 2024-25 data from the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO):
| Type of institution | Average cost |
| In-state, public school | $38,473 |
| Out-of-state, public school | $55,167 |
| Private school | $51,012 |
Keep in mind that these figures are before living expenses and other costs are factored in.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
Tuition is what you see on the program website, but there are many expenses that can catch students off guard. Here’s what to make sure you include in your financial planning:
- Equipment and supplies: Optometry students typically purchase clinical instruments during their first year of school. At SUNY College of Optometry, for example, first-year students purchase two sets of instruments totaling approximately $3,800. Across the full program, books and supplies may add up to $6,000 to $16,000 total, depending on the school.
- Board exam fees: To become licensed, you’ll need to pass three exams administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). The current fee for each part is $1,490, bringing your total board exam investment to $4,470, not including any additional exams your state may require.
- Student and clinical fees: Most programs charge fees on top of tuition for things like technology, student services, and clinical training. These can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year.
- Living expenses: Housing, food, transportation, and other personal expenses will vary widely depending on where your program is located and your lifestyle. Some schools publish a cost-of-attendance estimate that includes these figures, which can be a useful planning tool.
How Long Does It Take to Become an Optometrist?
After completing your undergraduate degree, an OD program takes four years to complete. The first two years typically focus on classroom and lab instruction, while the final two years shift toward clinical rotations and hands-on patient care.
After graduation, some optometrists choose to complete a one-year residency to gain advanced training in a specialty area such as pediatric optometry, low vision, cornea and contact lenses, or ocular disease. Residency is available to graduates and is an option for those who want more advanced knowledge and expertise in various optometric specialties.
The good news is that residency programs typically come with a stipend. For programs funded by optometry schools, stipends in 2024-25 ranged from $37,565 to $66,560, with an average of $47,274.
That income can help offset living costs during the residency year, though it’s worth researching the specific program you’re interested in, as stipends vary significantly by setting and location.
How to Pay for an Optometry Degree
Most optometry students rely on a mix of funding sources:
- Federal student loans: U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible for federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans to help cover the cost of an optometry program. Note that the federal Grad PLUS loan program, which previously allowed graduate students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance, is being eliminated for new borrowers effective July 1, 2026. Federal loans come with income-driven repayment options and potential access to Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
- Scholarships and grants: Organizations like the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Vision Service Foundation offer scholarship opportunities for optometry students. Many individual programs also award merit-based aid at the time of admission.
- Employer and military programs: Some employers, particularly in the VA and military health systems, may offer loan repayment or tuition assistance in exchange for a service commitment.
- Private graduate loans: Private optometry student loans can help fill gaps that federal aid doesn’t cover. Rates and terms vary by lender, so it’s worth comparing options carefully.
Building a career in optometry takes time and financial investment, but with a median annual salary of $134,830 for optometrists in the United States as of 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the long-term earning potential can make it well worth planning carefully.
