All schools / Chicago (Midwestern)
Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University
Downers Grove, ILPrivateAccredited
- Passed all 3 boards
- 80.4% −2.1 vs U.S.
- Part I, first try
- 56.5% −10.3 vs U.S.
- Entering class GPA / OAT AA
- 3.54 / 324 63 seats, 11.7 applicants per seat
- Est. 4-year cost, out-of-state
- $299k $99k above the federal cap
Board results
46 graduates tested, Oct 2024–Sep 2025. Parts I–III are first-attempt pass rates; "All three" is the share who passed every part by graduation. The black line marks the U.S. rate.
Part I
56.5%
Part II
87.0%
Part III
78.3%
All three
80.4%
Admissions
- OptomCAS deadline
- Apr 1, 2027 (rolling admissions at most schools, so earlier is better)
- Class GPA
- 3.54
- OAT AA / TS
- 324 / 317
- Seats / applicants
- 63 / 738
- Supplemental fee
- None
- Letters
- 2: optometrist required
- Other tests accepted
- GRE, MCAT, DAT
- Bachelor's degree
- Preferred
Cost
| Who | Tuition / yr | Est. 4-yr total | Tuition figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| All students | $49,634 | $298,536 | 2025–26, third-party listing |
Totals add a moderate cost-of-living allowance of $25,000 a year and hold tuition flat. They leave out equipment ($4,000–$9,000 in years 1–2), board exam fees and annual increases. Build a full budget for Chicago (Midwestern).
Strengths
- 80% ultimate pass rate
- Suburban campus with its own clinics
Things to weigh
- Part I first-time pass rate of 57%
- Most applicants per seat (11.7)
Sources: ASCO NBEO Institutional Report 2024–25, ASCO Profile of the 2025 Entering Class, OptomCAS 2026–27 school information, and the school's tuition page. Last checked Oct 19, 2026. Methods and full source list.