Doctoral (Professional)-6% vs national median1,339 grads tracked
Optometry at University of Houston
Ranked 6th of 7 doctoral (professional) programs in Optometry by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$101,763
middle 50%: $69,030 – $125,644
Median · 5 years out
$113,178
middle 50%: $73,252 – $148,488
Median · 10 years out
$104,693
middle 50%: $71,121 – $150,846
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Optometry (doctoral (professional)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
University of Houston optometry students see first-year median salaries of $102k. Earnings remain strong at $105k by year ten.
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
3.3 yrs
≈ $3,326 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$135,976 · 5 yrs out
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
Northeastern State University
$111,872 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Houston
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$159,652 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$159,195 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$146,697 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$145,471 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$145,471 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$139,316 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$138,576 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Master's)
$133,590 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$131,541 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$130,568 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$125,035 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$124,247 · 5 yrs out
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