
The most useful completion question at ICO is how many students who enter the OD program finish that professional degree, and over what period. Conventional four- and six-year undergraduate graduation rates measure a different population and should not be used as substitutes for an optometry cohort's outcome.
The OD curriculum is ordinarily planned over four academic years, but a published completion measure may count delayed graduates differently from those finishing on schedule. Applicants comparing optometry schools should look for a clearly defined entering cohort, its completion rate, and National Board of Examiners in Optometry examination results. Those measures answer different questions: finishing the degree and passing a licensing-related examination are related but not identical outcomes.
An individual's earnings after ICO depend on where and how they practice, their experience, and whether they pursue residency training. A salary estimate for all optometrists is not the same as a measured earnings outcome for a particular ICO graduating class.
Students evaluating the financial return on an OD should compare realistic employment scenarios with the full amount they expect to borrow. Gross pay is not take-home income, and a practice owner's revenue is not personal salary. Geographic licensing rules, loan interest, repayment terms, and the possibility of additional training all affect the calculation.
Data last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.