About SUNY College of Optometry

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 conducts a robust program of basic, translational and clinical research and has 65 affiliated clinical training sites. SUNY Optometry 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. Our midtown Manhattan campus houses classrooms, research facilities and the University Eye Center, which is one of the largest optometric outpatient facilities in the nation.

Beginning in Fall 2027, a planned expansion of our OD degree program to the Syracuse area will enable students to choose to study in one of two dynamic locations.

 

printer
Admissions
printer

Degrees Awarded: OD, PhD, OD/MS, OD/PhD

Class of 2029

OD Applicants: 467 applied, 104 enrolled

Students from NY State: 49%

Average GPA: 3.7

Fall 2025 Enrollment: 422

 

Student Success
printer

Below is information on our NBEO Pass Rates & Outcomes. Published results include the performance of all first-time takers of each NBEO examination Part within the specified timeframe regardless of year of enrollment, year of graduation, or graduation status; first-time taker pass rates published on the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) website are limited to candidates that have graduated.

 

NBEO Part I

Testing Period
(9/1 – 8/31)
# of SUNY First-Time Takers SUNY First-Time Taker Pass Rate National First-Time Taker Pass Rate SUNY Difference, % Points
2025-2026 97 77.4% 70.7% +6.7 points
2024-2025 98 77.6% 66.8% +10.8 points
2023-2024 98 68.4% 66.7% +1.7 points

 

NBEO Part II

Testing Period
(9/1 – 8/31)
# of SUNY First-Time takers SUNY First-Time Taker Pass Rate National First-Time Taker Pass Rate SUNY Difference, %
Points
2025-2026 94 97.8% 89.4% +8.4 points
2024-2025 94 91.5% 87.9% +3.6 points
2023-2024 89 88.8% 85.8% +3 points

 

NBEO Part III

Testing Period
(7/1 – 6/30)
# of SUNY First-Time takers SUNY First-Time Taker Pass Rate National First-Time Taker Pass Rate SUNY Difference, %
Points
2024-2025 86 68.6% 70.0% -1.4 points
2023-2024 89 78.7% 78.7% 0
2022-2023 97 80.4% 74.1% +6.3 points

 

Graduation and Attrition

Year Matriculated 2019 2020 2021
Number of Matriculants 100 98 99
Number % of Total Matriculants Number % of Total Matriculants Number % of Total Matriculants
Graduated in 4 years 90 90.0% 85 86.7% 89 89.9%
Graduated in 5 years or less 96 96.0% 95 96.9% 90 90.9%
Graduated at any time 96 96.0% 95 96.9% 90 90.9%
Still enrolled or on leave of absence 0 0% 0 0% 7 7.0%
Completed curricular requirements met, but not graduation requirements 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Attrition for academic reasons 4 4.0% 3 3.0% 2 2.0%
Attrition for other reasons 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%

Program Completion Licensing Examination Rates

Calendar Year
(1/1-12/31)
# of students who completed all program curricular requirements # licensed, or who passed all parts of an exam series that would permit licensure, in the United States or Canada Program Completion Licensing Examination Pass Rate
2025 97 82 84.5%
2024 90 86 95.6%
2023 95 90 94.7%

 

Faculty & Research
printer

Total faculty: 117

Full-time: 84

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

Grants in FY24/25: 40

Funding: approx. $3.8 million

 

Patient Care
printer

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.

UEC Patient visits in FY 24/25: approx. 56,000

Community Engagement

From New York City to around the globe, SUNY Optometry works with community organizations, healthcare providers and partners to help bring eye and vision care to those who need it most.

Student giving eye exam to child

2026 State of the College Address

Delivering his 2026 State of the College Address, Dr. David Troilo reflects on the College’s continued momentum and achievements over the past year, building on the foundation established since his appointment as President in August 2024.

Dr Troilo state of the college 2026