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Illinois College of Optometry (2026): OAT Requirements, Admissions, and Tuition | OAT Destroyer | DAT Destroyer | Dr. Jim Romano

OAT Study Guide – Start Here

The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) is one of the oldest and largest optometry schools in the United States. Located in Chicago, Illinois, ICO offers a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree with a strong emphasis on clinical training, primary care, and ocular disease management. ICO is known for its rigorous curriculum, diverse patient population, and its commitment to producing highly skilled, practice-ready optometrists.

About Illinois College of Optometry

Founded in 1872, Illinois College of Optometry is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) and is one of the most respected independent optometry colleges in the country. ICO operates the Illinois Eye Institute, one of the largest optometric clinical facilities in the United States, providing students with extensive hands-on patient care experience.

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • Degree Offered: Doctor of Optometry (OD)
  • Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE)
  • Clinical Facility: Illinois Eye Institute, Chicago
  • Founded: 1872

OAT Requirements

Illinois College of Optometry is a competitive program. Competitive applicants typically present:

  • Academic Average (AA): approximately 320–350+
  • Total Science (TS): approximately 320–350+
  • Overall GPA: ~3.2+
  • Science GPA: ~3.1+

Admissions Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred
  • Completion of required science prerequisites (Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Math, Statistics)
  • OAT scores (typically taken within the last 2–3 years)
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • Optometry shadowing experience strongly recommended
  • Applications submitted through OptomCAS

Tuition and Costs (2026)

Estimated annual tuition:

  • All students: ~$35,000–$45,000 per year

Prospective students should verify current figures directly with Illinois College of Optometry.

Start Your OAT Preparation

If you’re applying to Illinois College of Optometry, a strong OAT score is essential. Dr. Jim Romano’s OAT Destroyer series is trusted by thousands of optometry students nationwide:

  1. OAT Destroyer
  2. Math Destroyer
  3. General Chemistry Destroyer
  4. Organic Chemistry Odyssey
  5. Dr. Jim Romano Biology Review Book
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