Best institutions to study Vision Science/Physiological Optics
A program that focuses on the scientific study of vision, visual processes, and related phenomena and clinical research and treatment modalities.
12 U.S. institutions graduated 219 Vision Science/Physiological Optics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0909, a specialization of Physiology (CIP 26.09), and leads most directly to the Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1042).
About Vision Science/Physiological Optics programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of vision, visual processes, and related phenomena and clinical research and treatment modalities. Includes instruction in ocular anatomy and physiology, microbiology of the eye, electrophysiology, neurophysiology, corneal physiology, photochemistry, psychophysics, visual biophysics and motor systems, sensory mechanisms and photoreception, eye circulation and metabolism, geometric and physical optics, ocular development across the life span, visual stimuli and perception, color vision, eye motility, biometrics and measurement techniques, visual pathology, and environmental issues.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Vision Science/Physiological Optics program focuses on the scientific study of vision and visual processes, combining elements of biological and biomedical sciences. It is designed for students interested in exploring ocular anatomy, physiology, and the clinical research and treatment modalities related to vision. This program is ideal for those pursuing careers in medical research or education in the field of vision science.
Students in this program gain knowledge in various areas, including ocular physiology, neurophysiology, visual perception, and optical principles. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and scientific writing, equipping graduates with the skills necessary for advanced research and clinical applications.
Credentials awarded
What Vision Science/Physiological Optics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree143 graduates / yr · 4 institutions65%
- Master's degree51 graduates / yr · 9 institutions23%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship25 graduates / yr · 6 institutions11%
Graduates over time
Vision Science/Physiological Optics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 109 |
| 2013 | 184 |
| 2014 | 57 |
| 2015 | 187 |
| 2016 | 117 |
| 2017 | 145 |
| 2018 | 153 |
| 2019 | 146 |
| 2020 | 148 |
| 2021 | 155 |
| 2022 | 88 |
| 2023 | 84 |
| 2024 | 269 |
| 2025 | 219 |
Top 12 institutions for Vision Science/Physiological Optics, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 121 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 2 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 15 | 80% | — | — |
| 3 | SUNY College of Optometry New York, NYPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicMaster's | 13 | 88% | — | — |
| 5 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicBachelor's | 11 | 47% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 65% | — | — |
| 7 | Pacific University Forest Grove, ORPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 9 | 67% | $30,571 | — |
| 8 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicDoctoralMaster's | 8 | 64% | — | — |
| 9 | New England College of Optometry Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | — | — | — |
| 10 | University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 51% | $21,745 | — |
| 11 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicDoctoral | 4 | 93% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 84% | $26,589 | $28,243 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Physiology field (CIP 26.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 10 states
Where Vision Science/Physiological Optics graduates come from. Each state links to all Physiology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 2 | 124 | Nova Southeastern University121 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 15 | University of Houston10 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 15 | Indiana University - Bloomington15 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 13 | SUNY College of Optometry13 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 13 | Ohio State University - Main Campus13 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 11 | Ferris State University11 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 9 | Pacific University9 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 8 | University of Alabama at Birmingham8 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 7 | New England College of Optometry7 / yr |
| California | 1 | 4 | University of California - Berkeley4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1042, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Vision Science/Physiological Optics program can pursue careers as medical scientists or biological science teachers. The job outlook for related occupations is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.7% and approximately 9,600 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $100,590, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0909
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistsprimary SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- 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).
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- 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.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Vision Science/Physiological Optics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
- Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
- Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
- Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
Tools and technology used
Other Physiology specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Physiology (CIP 26.09).
- Exercise Physiology and KinesiologyCIP 26.09088,332 graduates / yr155 institutions
- PhysiologyCIP 26.09013,004 graduates / yr70 institutions
- Pathology/CIP 26.0910
Experimental Pathology 306 graduates / yr36 institutions - Oncology and Cancer BiologyCIP 26.0911235 graduates / yr31 institutions
- Physiology, Pathology, and Related SciencesCIP 26.0999218 graduates / yr10 institutions
- BiomechanicsCIP 26.0913partial data70 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Cardiovascular ScienceCIP 26.0907partial data61 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Molecular PhysiologyCIP 26.0902partial data44 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Aerospace Physiology and MedicineCIP 26.0912partial data40 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Cell PhysiologyCIP 26.0903partial data32 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Reproductive BiologyCIP 26.0905partial data31 graduates / yr3 institutions
- EndocrinologyCIP 26.0904limited data6 graduates / yr2 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Vision Science/Physiological Optics.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, science, writing, and active learning.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.7%.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a medical scientist or a biological science teacher, among other roles.
What is the CIP code for Vision Science/Physiological Optics?+
Vision Science/Physiological Optics is CIP 26.0909 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Physiology (CIP 26.09). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of vision, visual processes, and related phenomena and clinical research and treatment modalities. Includes instruction in ocular anatomy and physiology, microbiology of the eye, electrophysiology, neurophysiology, corneal physiology, photochemistry, psychophysics, visual biophysics and motor systems, sensory mechanisms and photoreception, eye circulation and metabolism, geometric and physical optics, ocular development across the life span, visual stimuli and perception, color vision, eye motility, biometrics and measurement techniques, visual pathology, and environmental issues.
How many institutions offer Vision Science/Physiological Optics programs?+
12 U.S. institutions reported Vision Science/Physiological Optics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 10 states, awarding 219 credentials in the year. That is 1.7% of all Physiology graduates.
How much do Vision Science/Physiological Optics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation, which Vision Science/Physiological Optics most directly leads to, pays a median of $103,410 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Physiology field report median earnings of $28,243 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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