In-state tuition at a public university costs between $10,500 and $20,000 annually, or about $70,000 for a four-year program, as of July 2010. Nonresidents can expect to pay a substantially higher tuition.
Tuition for optometry school at a private university runs between $15,000 and $29,000 per year, or approximately $100,000 for a complete four-year degree, as of July 2010.
The cost of books and supplies is approximately $9,000 over the course of the program. There are also fees for licensing and certification, including $3,600 for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exams, as of July 2010.
Government loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) and private loans are available for qualified students. Grants and scholarships are also available, which are money for school that students will not be expected to repay.
Public universities require nonresidents to pay upward of $20,000 in additional tuition annually. The majority of private universities do not require out-of-state students to pay a higher tuition.