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WesternU / Financial Aid / Student Budgets / Doctor of Optometry (OD)

Doctor of Optometry (OD)

 2025/2026

 

  • All budgets are estimated costs and subject to change
  • The budget is for the student and educational expenses during the period of enrollment only.
Tuition & Fees First Year
12 Months
Second  Year
12 Months
Third Year
10 Months
Fourth Year
12 Months
Tuition 48,618 48,618 48,618 48,618
Student Body Fees  40  40  40  20
Graduation Fees  N/A  N/A  N/A  350
SEP/First Year Optometry Kit (cost is subject to change) 3,448 N/A N/A N/A
AOSA Membership Fee 60 60 60 60
Top Hat 35 35 35 N/A
Vital Source (cost is subject to change) 1,800 475 450 450
Livescan Finger Printing 110 N/A N/A N/A
N95 Respiratory Fit Testing N/A 40 40 N/A
CPR N/A 75 N/A N/A
Estimated Total Tuition and Fees    54,057 49,343 49,243 49,498
Budget Items/Estimated Costs First Year
12 Months
Second  Year
12 Months
Third Year
10 Months
Fourth Year
12 Months
Living Expenses (room + food) 23,843 23,843 19,869 23,843
Misc. Personal Expenses 7,469 7,469 6,226 7,469
Diagnostic Kit (1st year) 1,515 N/A N/A N/A
Lenses & Foreign Body Removal Kit (2nd year) N/A 2,940 N/A N/A
BIO Optometry Kit (2nd year) N/A 3,280 N/A N/A
Transportation 7,274 7,274 6,062 10,912
NBEO Boards – Part I (year 3)      – Part II (year 4)  N/A  N/A 1,445 1,445
NBEO Boards Part III  (year 4) N/A N/A N/A 1,445
Vision Therapy Equipment (2nd yr only) N/A 75 N/A N/A
Required Course Materials for 8161: Optometry Review II Course N/A N/A 1,975 N/A
Loan Fees First Year
12 Months
Second  Year
12 Months
Third Year
10 Months
Fourth Year
12 Months
Direct Unsubsidized Loan Fees 499 499 452 499
Grad PLUS Loan Fees 2,010 2,011 1,799 2,027
  • The average indebtedness for the WesternU Doctor of Optometry program for the last 4 years:
    2020 Graduates $237,307
    2021 Graduates $242,781
    2022 Graduates $240,209
    2023 Graduates $252,076

     This was based on graduates that had WesternU debt.

  • The Optometry program has two disbursements per academic year. One in the fall before school starts and one in the spring.

    To see a sample of what your loan repayment schedule may look like, please visit the Federal Student Aid Repayment Estimator Calculator.

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    Financial Aid and Scholarships

    Western University of Health Sciences provides financial support to recruit and retain outstanding students. No one should think that higher education is beyond his or her reach simply because of cost. With the help of federal, state, institutional and private funded scholarships and awards, students can achieve their educational goals for the future. Many WesternU colleges and programs offer incoming students recruitment scholarships based on the strength of a student’s admissions application and interview as well as their contributions to the community. A separate application is not required. When a student is accepted into the program and selected for a scholarship, the offer will be made at the same time that the admissions offer is made.