All schools / Berkeley
UC Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science
Berkeley, CAPublicAccredited
- Passed all 3 boards
- 92.2% +9.7 vs U.S.
- Part I, first try
- 73.4% +6.6 vs U.S.
- Entering class GPA / OAT AA
- 3.76 / 360 69 seats, 6.0 applicants per seat
- Est. 4-year cost, out-of-state
- $364k $164k above the federal cap
Board results
64 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
73.4%
Part II
100.0%
Part III
73.4%
All three
92.2%
Admissions
- OptomCAS deadline
- Dec 11, 2026 (rolling admissions at most schools, so earlier is better)
- Class GPA
- 3.76
- OAT AA / TS
- 360 / 360
- Seats / applicants
- 69 / 415
- Supplemental fee
- $66
- Letters
- 3: optometrist recommended; committee letter counts as 1
- Other tests accepted
- DAT, MCAT (no GRE)
- Bachelor's degree
- Required
Cost
| Who | Tuition / yr | Est. 4-yr total | Tuition figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| State residents (CA) | $42,695 | $314,780 | approx., nonresident rate minus the $12,245 supplement |
| Out-of-state | $54,940 | $363,760 | 2025–26, plus summer sessions |
Totals add a very high cost-of-living allowance of $36,000 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 Berkeley.
Strengths
- 92% ultimate pass rate
- Top research school
Things to weigh
- Earliest deadline (Dec 11, 2026)
- Very high cost of living
- Bachelor's required
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.