All schools / Southern (SCO)
Southern College of Optometry
Memphis, TNPrivateAccredited
- Passed all 3 boards
- 95.3% +12.8 vs U.S.
- Part I, first try
- 86.7% +19.9 vs U.S.
- Entering class GPA / OAT AA
- 3.68 / 332 140 seats, 5.2 applicants per seat
- Est. 4-year cost, out-of-state
- $268k $68k above the federal cap
Board results
128 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
86.7%
Part II
97.7%
Part III
74.2%
All three
95.3%
Admissions
- OptomCAS deadline
- Mar 1, 2027 (rolling admissions at most schools, so earlier is better)
- Class GPA
- 3.68
- OAT AA / TS
- 332 / 323
- Seats / applicants
- 140 / 729
- Supplemental fee
- $50
- Letters
- 2: non-relative optometrist + committee/pre-health or science instructor
- Other tests accepted
- GRE, MCAT case by case
- Bachelor's degree
- Strongly recommended
Cost
| Who | Tuition / yr | Est. 4-yr total | Tuition figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| All students | $45,902 | $267,608 | 2025–26 |
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 Southern (SCO).
Strengths
- 95% ultimate pass rate
- Low cost of living
- Largest class (140 seats)
Things to weigh
- Requires passing NBEO Parts I and II to graduate, so rates aren't directly comparable
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.