About

Founded in 1971 and located in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry is a leader in education, research and patient care, offering the Doctor of Optometry degree as well as MS and PhD degrees in Vision Science. The College is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Its four-year professional degree program and residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association.

Degrees awarded: OD PhD OD/MS OD/PhD	Enrollment: 409	Students from New York State: 56%	Average GPA of entering classes: 3.6	Residents: 41 Residency areas: Cornea and Contact Lenses Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Family Practice Family Practice Low Vision Rehabilitation Ocular Disease Pediatrics Primary Eye Care Acquired Brain Injury Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation Combined Residency and Graduate Degree (MS or PhD) in Vision Science.
OD Applicants (Class of 2024): 426 applicants; 96 enrolled
National Board average pass rates (5-year average): 97% of students pass all three parts of the NBEO by graduation.
Alumni: approx. 3,400	Graduate Students: 14 PhD 15 OD/MS 3 MS	Female/male ratio: approx. 71%:29%

The College conducts a robust program of basic, translational and clinical research.

34

Grants in FY 2019-20

$3.06

approx.

million

Funding

The University Eye Center (UEC) is one of the largest optometric outpatient facilities in the nation and offers both primary and specialized vision care services.

>60,000

Patient visits in FY 2022-23

240,000

Including UEC, Satellite Clinics and Educational Affiliates. Total Patient Encounters

2,400

Hours of clinical experience for each OD student over four years

The following services are offered at the UEC:

• Primary Care, including pediatrics, children with special needs and learning disabilities, and infants.
• Advanced Care, including specialized care for patients with cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and other ocular diseases, specialty contact lenses, and imaging services.
• Rehabilitation, including individualized care for patients with visual disorders, low vision, and head trauma.
• Social Work Services, including free support groups, other support services, and referrals for long-term counseling.
• Eyewear Center, with a large selection of frames, designer eyewear, and specialty lenses.
• Community Outreach, including education, screenings, support groups, and homebound care touching 9,600 lives through The Bowery Mission, and partnerships with hospitals affiliated with NYC Health + Hospitals and other medical centers, and community based organizations.

The College also has 65 affiliated clinical sites.

01

Wenzhou Medical University // Wenzhou, China

02

University of KwaZulu-Natal // Durban, South Africa

03

University of Melbourne // Melbourne, Australia

04

Flinders University // Adelaide, Australia

05

Institut Supérieur d’Optique // Paris, France

06

Arab-American University Jenin // Jenin, Palestine

07

Abia State University Uturu // Uturu, Nigeria

Founded in 1956, the OCNY is the nonprofit allied and endowing foundation of the College.

21

OCNY trustees

10.8

million

Assets

All classrooms, research facilities, the University Eye Center, and the library are located in a 298,000 square-foot, 18-story building on 42nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in Midtown Manhattan. There are additional externship sites around New York City and beyond.

Revised February 11th, 2026

FACT SHEET