All schools / Ohio State
The Ohio State University College of Optometry
Columbus, OHPublicAccredited
- Passed all 3 boards
- 98.3% +15.8 vs U.S.
- Part I, first try
- 95.0% +28.2 vs U.S.
- Entering class GPA / OAT AA
- 3.86 / 358 69 seats, 8.2 applicants per seat
- Est. 4-year cost, out-of-state
- $295k $95k above the federal cap
Board results
60 graduates tested, Oct 2024–Sep 2025. Parts I–III are first-attempt pass rates; "All three" is the share who passed every part by graduation. The black line marks the U.S. rate.
Part I
95.0%
Part II
100.0%
Part III
86.7%
All three
98.3%
Admissions
- OptomCAS deadline
- Mar 1, 2027 (rolling admissions at most schools, so earlier is better)
- Class GPA
- 3.86
- OAT AA / TS
- 358 / 359
- Seats / applicants
- 69 / 567
- Supplemental fee
- $60 (supplemental due 3/15)
- Letters
- 3: optometrist + professor required
- Other tests accepted
- GRE, MCAT, DAT, PCAT
- Bachelor's degree
- 90+ credits; BS preferred
Cost
| Who | Tuition / yr | Est. 4-yr total | Tuition figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| State residents (OH) | $31,746 | $210,984 | 2025–26 |
| Out-of-state | $52,802 | $295,208 | 2025–26, year 1; includes the first-year nonresident fee |
Totals add a low cost-of-living allowance of $21,000 a year and hold tuition flat. They leave out equipment ($4,000–$9,000 in years 1–2), board exam fees and annual increases. Build a full budget for Ohio State.
Strengths
- Highest NBEO ultimate pass rate in the U.S. (98.3%)
- Lowest in-state tuition of any program
- Low cost of living
Things to weigh
- Most selective school on the list (3.86 class GPA)
- On-site clinic does not offer shadowing
Sources: ASCO NBEO Institutional Report 2024–25, ASCO Profile of the 2025 Entering Class, OptomCAS 2026–27 school information, and the school's tuition page. Last checked Oct 19, 2026. Methods and full source list.