UMSL College of Optometry

UMSL College of Optometry Welcome to the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry page.

Founded: 1980



Location: Marillac Hall (south-side of campus)



Enrollment: 172 full-time students, 33% male, 66% female



Geographic Representation: 29% from Missouri, 71% from 25 other states with two international student



Degrees Offered: Doctor of Optometry



Faculty: 23 full time, Over 75 part-time adjunct instructors and preceptors 100% hold highest degree in their discipline



Student-to-Faculty Ratio: approximately 8-to-1



Average Class Size: 48



Graduation Rate: 98%



National Board Success Rate: 92% to 100% pass all parts before graduation



Placement: 100% of graduates are employed or attending a residency or graduate school at the time of licensure



First Professional Year Profile: Average OAT scores: 315: average incoming GPA of 3.47

Unique Features: Class size 30% smaller than the average of other schools and colleges of optometry; excellent and diverse clinical experience with over 100 externship sites



Scholarship and Financial Aid: Merit and need-based scholarships, Federal financial aid, Endowment Scholarships, Internal Optometry Scholarships, Military Scholarships, Partners In Education Scholarships. Students enrolled in the professional degree program are selected from a diverse pool of applicants representing all fifty states, the District of Columbia and fourteen countries. During the rigorous four year course of study students demonstrate that they have attained competency to the level of a new practitioner within six domains, [patient care, optometric knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement and systems-based learning] assessed via a series of examinations, proficiencies and evaluations of clinical skills. In addition, prior to graduation all students have taken the three-part examination administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). In 2013, 97.4% of our students had passed the examinations before graduation compared to the national average of 90.3%.

04/13/2026
We could not be more proud of our alumni! Thank you, Dr. Steinberg, for all you do for the optometric profession.
04/09/2026

We could not be more proud of our alumni! Thank you, Dr. Steinberg, for all you do for the optometric profession.

Steinberg was part of the College of Optometry’s inaugural class and later earned a law degree. He now practices in the field of optometric and health care law and consulting.

Congratulations, McKenna! We are very proud of you.
04/08/2026

Congratulations, McKenna! We are very proud of you.

Conducted during her undergraduate career, the research has promising implications for carbon sequestration.

We are very proud to show some of our updates in our new academic space. Walls are up, beautiful wallpaper is in, a bea...
03/31/2026

We are very proud to show some of our updates in our new academic space. Walls are up, beautiful wallpaper is in, a beautiful shade of blue paint is showing up, wood doors are in, and carpet is in some offices on the administration floor. Flooring will be next in the rest of the space and we can't wait to move in! Check it out! Thank you to our donors who have made this space amazing.

03/31/2026

Dean Elder gives an update on our new academic space for the College of Optometry.

Address

7800 Natural Bridge Road, Marillac Hall
St. Louis, MO
63121

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(314) 516-6263

Website

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