Northeastern State University

Admissions Statistics and Requirements for Northeastern State University, Oklahoma College of Optometry

Background Information

  • Location: Tahlequah, Oklahoma
  • Institution Type: Public
  • Mission Statement: The education of optometric physicians who are highly trained, through excellence in academic and clinical instruction, are able to provide the highest quality clinical care and who emphasize an ethical and caring commitment for the welfare of patients, to deliver quality clinical services to the patients served by NSUOCO, to remain committed to a teaching environment conducive to excellence in education through faculty and students who are diverse, who embrace life-long learning, independent critical thinking, research and scholarly activity, and who have a desire to contribute to society through community service.
  • Combined Degrees Offered: N/A
  • Year Opened: 1979
  • Number of Years to Earn Degree: 4
  • Campus Housing Available: Yes
  • Class Size: 28

Admission Statistics: (2024 Applicant and Entering Class Data)

Acceptance Rates by Location*:

Number of Applicants
Number of Enrollees
Enrollment Rate
Overall
201
28
13.93%
In-State
35
15
42.86%
Out-State
159
13
8.18%
International
7
0
0.00%

*According to data from ASCO

Academic Averages for Acceptance* :

OAT Academic Average
OAT Science Average
Cumulative GPA
319
304
3.8

*According to data from ASCO

Prerequisites

Prerequisite Course Work:

Required Course
Credits (Semesters/Quarters)
Required Lab
General Biology or Zoology
3 / 4
General Chemistry
8 / 12
Organic Chemistry
4 / 6
General Physics
8 / 12
Biochemistry
3 / 4
General Microbiology
3 / 4
Human Anatomy/Physiology
4 / 6
Mathematics
3 / 4
Statistics
3 / 4
English
6 / 9
Psychology
3 / 4

* There are some acceptable substitutions for specific courses. Go to https://optometry.nsuok.edu/FutureStudents/ApplicationProcess/Prerequisites.aspx  for more information .

Community College Coursework and Advanced Placement Credit:
AP Credit Accepted?
Yes. The courses must be listed on your undergraduate transcript and tracked on your OptomCAS application.
Community College Coursework Accepted?
Yes

Minimum number of College Credit Hours required:

  • Applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester credit hours of work.

Required Shadowing Hours:

  • Over 30+ hours are recommended.

Letters of Recommendation: 

  • Three letters of recommendation are required. Students are encouraged to have one letter written by a non-relative optometrist that they have shadowed. A second letter should be submitted by a professor or academic adviser who can attest to the applicant's academic abilities. The final letter is up to the applicant but an additional letter from an optometrist is recommended. Please note that committee letters will be counted as one letter.

Supplemental Information:

Required Supplemental Application?
Supplemental Application Fee
CASPer Required?
Yes
$75
No

Finances and Application Logistics

Financial Estimations for students starting Fall 2025:

Year
In-State Tuition
Out-State Tuition
Additional Fees
First Year
$21,550
$41,900
$6,335
Second Year
$28,477
$55,369
$8,831
Third Year
$28,477
$55,369
$4,534
Fourth Year
$21,550
$41,900
$2,040

Board Passage Rates for First Time Takers

Year
Part I Passage Rate
Part II Passage Rate
Part III Passage Rate
2024
73.08%
100%
88.46%
2023
81.48%
96.30%
37.04%
2022
77.78%
96.30%
74.07%
2021
86.36%
95.45%
63.64%
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