WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Professional)+13% vs national median347 grads tracked

Optometry at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Ranked 1st of 7 doctoral (professional) programs in Optometry by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$96,951
middle 50%: $69,411 – $125,644
Median · 5 years out
$135,976
middle 50%: $111,561 – $163,593
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Optometry (doctoral (professional)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of University of Alabama at Birmingham's doctoral (professional) program in Optometry earn a median $96,951 one year after graduating, rising to $135,976 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 13% above the national median of $120,004 for this field, ranking 1st of 7 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
3.2 yrs
≈ $3,341 total interest

Same major at other universities

SUNY College of Optometry
$124,636 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$120,596 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Saint Louis
$120,004 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$119,050 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$113,178 · 5 yrs out
Northeastern State University
$111,872 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Dentistry (Doctorate)
$171,818 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$166,139 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$136,580 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$134,767 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$128,558 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$125,156 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$118,055 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$116,958 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$114,413 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$109,509 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$104,916 · 5 yrs out

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