Best programs to become an ophthalmologist
BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education for ophthalmologists. The field of study that leads most directly to this job is Medicine (IPEDS completions).
2 college programs at 184 schools train ophthalmologists, graduating 30,267 people a year (IPEDS completions). The job pays a median of $300,080 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About ophthalmologists
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and help prevent disorders and diseases of the eye. May also provide vision services for treatment including glasses and contacts.
Best programs to study to become an ophthalmologist
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 51.1201 | 21,453 | 70.9% | 151 | $33,290 | $23,488 |
| 2 | CIP 51.1202 | 8,814 | 29.1% | 36 | $33,290 | $23,488 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Blacksburg, VA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 642 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 2 | Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Erie, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 623 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 3 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · 2 feeder programs | 485 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | 81% | — | 85% |
| 4 | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 452 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 5 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 445 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | 63% | $31,672 | 73% |
| 6 | Kansas City University Kansas City, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 417 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 7 | New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 404 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | 59% | $22,158 | 81% |
| 8 | Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, TN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 368 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | 50% | $18,981 | 63% |
| 9 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Public · 1 feeder program | 354 | Medicine | 54% | — | 76% |
| 10 | Rocky Vista University Parker, CO Private for-profit · 1 feeder program | 333 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 11 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · 1 feeder program | 328 | Medicine | 84% | — | 58% |
| 12 | Western University of Health Sciences Pomona, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 318 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 13 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Public · 2 feeder programs | 316 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | 67% | — | 78% |
| 14 | Wayne State University Detroit, MI Public · 1 feeder program | 309 | Medicine | 58% | — | 81% |
| 15 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 299 | Medicine | 78% | $36,004 | 79% |
| 16 | A T Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville, MO Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 284 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 17 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Public · 1 feeder program | 279 | Medicine | 62% | — | 77% |
| 18 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 266 | Medicine | 69% | $26,034 | 81% |
| 19 | Touro University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 260 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | 72% | $27,110 | 61% |
| 20 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · 1 feeder program | 253 | Medicine | 85% | — | 39% |
| 21 | Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 249 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 22 | Augusta University Augusta, GA Public · 1 feeder program | 247 | Medicine | 49% | — | 86% |
| 23 | Midwestern University - Glendale Glendale, AZ Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 245 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 24 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TX Public · 1 feeder program | 242 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 25 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OH Public · 1 feeder program | 237 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | 65% | — | 85% |
| 26 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · 1 feeder program | 236 | Medicine | 68% | — | 86% |
| 27 | University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX Public · 1 feeder program | 226 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 28 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TX Public · 1 feeder program | 222 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 29 | University of North Texas Health Science Center Fort Worth, TX Public · 1 feeder program | 222 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 30 | Creighton University Omaha, NE Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 217 | Medicine | 83% | $27,353 | 80% |
| 31 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · 1 feeder program | 217 | Medicine | 85% | — | 80% |
| 32 | Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center West Des Moines, IA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 214 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 33 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TX Public · 1 feeder program | 209 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 34 | Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science North Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 206 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 35 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 204 | Medicine | 87% | $27,976 | 37% |
| 36 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · 1 feeder program | 201 | Medicine | 84% | — | 57% |
| 37 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 201 | Medicine | 94% | $23,570 | 11% |
| 38 | Midwestern University - Downers Grove Downers Grove, IL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 200 | Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy | — | — | — |
| 39 | New York Medical College Valhalla, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 200 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 40 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KS Public · 1 feeder program | 200 | Medicine | 69% | — | 93% |
| 41 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA Public · 1 feeder program | 199 | Medicine | 75% | — | 80% |
| 42 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 199 | Medicine | 84% | $26,589 | 19% |
| 43 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · 1 feeder program | 196 | Medicine | 88% | — | 61% |
| 44 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC Public · 1 feeder program | 195 | Medicine | 79% | — | 60% |
| 45 | Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans New Orleans, LA Public · 1 feeder program | 193 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 46 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · 1 feeder program | 192 | Medicine | 71% | — | 93% |
| 47 | Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 191 | Medicine | — | — | — |
| 48 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · 1 feeder program | 188 | Medicine | 91% | — | 15% |
| 49 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 188 | Medicine | 92% | $26,873 | 10% |
| 50 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA Public · 1 feeder program | 187 | Medicine | 63% | — | 93% |
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
What ophthalmologists earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $360,050 | 960 | 1.73× | 16 | 2,555 |
| Pennsylvania | $304,290 | 310 | 0.87× | 9 | 2,385 |
| Texas | $323,010 | — | — | 15 | 2,204 |
| California | $400,150 | 820 | 0.78× | 14 | 2,029 |
| Florida | $399,440 | 580 | 1.02× | 8 | 1,429 |
| Illinois | $284,630 | 620 | 1.77× | 10 | 1,380 |
| Virginia | $177,410 | — | — | 6 | 1,321 |
| Michigan | $179,720 | 150 | 0.61× | 6 | 1,252 |
| Ohio | $271,270 | 150 | 0.46× | 7 | 1,247 |
| Missouri | $228,410 | — | — | 6 | 1,230 |
| Tennessee | $231,040 | 230 | 1.23× | 5 | 782 |
| Massachusettsmoderate | $325,200 | 450 | 2.14× | 4 | 678 |
| Georgiamoderate | $382,920 | 120 | 0.44× | 4 | 618 |
| Coloradolimited | $288,050 | 100 | 0.61× | 2 | 512 |
| Louisianamoderate | $155,250 | 30 | 0.31× | 3 | 512 |
| Indianalimited | $168,600 | 160 | 0.86× | 2 | 497 |
| Kentuckymoderate | $101,940 | 70 | 0.62× | 3 | 474 |
| Washingtonmoderate | $304,830 | 180 | 0.87× | 3 | 462 |
| Alabamamoderate | $305,200 | — | — | 3 | 417 |
| Wisconsinlimited | $213,890 | 250 | 1.47× | 2 | 416 |
| South Carolinalimited | $214,160 | 100 | 0.75× | 2 | 378 |
| Iowalimited | $394,900 | 90 | 1.02× | 2 | 376 |
| Arkansaslimited | $259,320 | 30 | 0.43× | 2 | 327 |
| Oklahomalimited | $215,760 | — | — | 2 | 322 |
| Minnesotalimited | $372,200 | 180 | 1.04× | 2 | 310 |
| Nevadamoderate | $345,600 | — | — | 3 | 290 |
| Marylandlimited | $211,770 | 260 | 1.65× | 2 | 251 |
| Mainelimited | $337,850 | 90 | 2.48× | 1 | 170 |
| Rhode Islandlimited | $450,370 | 180 | 6.18× | 1 | 147 |
| Utahlimited | $188,490 | 30 | 0.35× | 1 | 129 |
| Oregonlimited | $334,450 | 210 | 1.88× | 1 | 125 |
| Vermontlimited | $258,910 | 30 | 1.83× | 1 | 112 |
| New Hampshirelimited | $404,330 | 50 | 1.27× | 1 | 83 |
| South Dakotalimited | $211,990 | 130 | 5.03× | 1 | 60 |
Skills and knowledge
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders.
- Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
- Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.
- Develop or implement plans and procedures for ophthalmologic services.
- Prescribe or administer topical or systemic medications to treat ophthalmic conditions and to manage pain.
- Develop treatment plans based on patients' histories and goals, the nature and severity of disorders, and treatment risks and benefits.
- Perform ophthalmic surgeries such as cataract, glaucoma, refractive, corneal, vitro-retinal, eye muscle, or oculoplastic surgeries.
- Educate patients about maintenance and promotion of healthy vision.
Skills
- Reading Comprehension4.3
- Critical Thinking4.3
- Active Listening4.1
- Writing4.0
- Monitoring4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Science3.9
Knowledge areas
- Medicine and Dentistry4.5
- English Language4.4
- Customer and Personal Service4.1
- Biology3.8
- Administration and Management3.6
- Education and Training3.5
Abilities
- Written Comprehension4.3
- Inductive Reasoning4.3
- Near Vision4.3
- Problem Sensitivity4.3
- Oral Expression4.1
- Deductive Reasoning4.1
Core activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events4.7
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.7
- Assisting and Caring for Others4.7
- Documenting/Recording Information4.6
- Analyzing Data or Information4.6
- Getting Information4.6
How to get in
How to become an ophthalmologist
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 4 majors mapped to Ophthalmologists2 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 51.1201Medicine
- 51.1202Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy
- 61.1401Ophthalmology Residency Program(no graduates reported)
- 61.1499Ophthalmology Residency/Fellowship Programs, Other(no graduates reported)
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become an ophthalmologist?+
BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education for ophthalmologists. The field of study that leads most directly to this job is Medicine (IPEDS completions).
Which college majors lead to becoming an ophthalmologist?+
The field of study that leads most directly to this job is Medicine (IPEDS completions). In all, the NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 2 programs to this job, which together graduate about 30,267 people a year.
How much do ophthalmologists earn?+
The median is $300,080 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $100,180 at the 10th percentile to $489,710 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for ophthalmologists growing?+
BLS projects a +4.3% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 300 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
184 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 2 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do ophthalmologists work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Physician, Ophthalmologist, Retina Specialist, Glaucoma Specialist among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 29-1241.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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