Illinois College of Optometry

Key Highlights

• Independent professional college focused on optometry and vision science
• Founded in 1872 and located at 3241 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago
• Institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
• Doctor of Optometry program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education

Student Life & Environment

Student life at ICO is organized around a demanding graduate professional program. The college provides clubs and organizations, recreation and fitness resources, health and safety services, and opportunities for volunteering, professional networking, and community service. Because students move through a structured four-year OD curriculum together, classmates and professional organizations are likely to form much of the day-to-day community. Students may live in ICO’s Residential Complex across the street from the academic facilities or rent independently. The Residential Complex offers suite-style rooms and apartments, with events intended to help residents meet classmates. ICO indicates that many first-year students begin in suites, while some later move into private apartments. Students occupying a single or large single room in a suite must purchase the specified meal plan. Dining is provided through a partnership with Illinois Institute of Technology, whose cafeteria is a short walk away. Off-campus students commonly consider Bronzeville, nearby Bridgeport, or the South Loop. Commuting expands the available housing choices, but students should account for Chicago traffic and the time demands of classes and clinical assignments. Housing is optional, and the financial comparison should include utilities, transportation, meals, lease flexibility, and possible temporary housing expenses during fourth-year externships.

Location & Surroundings

ICO is located at 3241 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago’s Bronzeville area, south of the central business district. The location supports the college’s clinical mission by connecting students with patients from the surrounding South Side communities. The adjacent Illinois Eye Institute serves as a major setting for supervised care and gives the campus a distinctly clinical character. Students choosing off-campus housing commonly look in Bronzeville, Bridgeport, and the South Loop. These areas offer different balances of proximity, rent, and access to central Chicago. Public transportation can make a car unnecessary for some daily routines, although the practicality of any commute depends on clinical schedules and the specific residence. Driving during peak periods can add substantial travel time. Chicago offers access to hospitals, health-care organizations, cultural institutions, restaurants, parks, and a large professional community. However, applicants should assess the immediate neighborhood and commute personally rather than treating the broader city as a single campus environment. Fourth-year externships may also take students away from Chicago for a quarter or longer, potentially creating additional travel and temporary-housing needs.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For fall 2026 through summer 2027, ICO lists full-time tuition of $17,673 per academic quarter for first- through third-year students and $13,586 per quarter for fourth-year students. The annual total varies because the published cost structure uses different numbers of quarters across program years. Mandatory or situational charges can include Student Association fees, class dues, deposits, equipment or educational costs, parking, and expenses associated with externships. Applicants should build a four-year budget from the official tuition-and-fee schedule and the applicable cost-of-attendance estimate rather than multiplying one quarter’s tuition by four years. For 2026–27, Residential Complex rates range from $721 per month for a single room in a suite to $1,795 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Students in single or large single suite rooms must purchase the 460-swipe meal plan, billed at $2,402 in each of the fall, winter, and spring quarters. Off-campus costs will depend on rent, transportation, food, and lease terms. ICO automatically reviews applicants for merit scholarships, while eligible US students may pursue federal aid, including Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Work-Study, and qualifying health-professions loans. Borrowing should be evaluated against the full cost and expected career pathway. ICO reports that, on average, 82% of graduates have a committed practice opportunity by graduation and 96% are gainfully employed using the OD degree within one year. These are institution-reported outcomes, not salary guarantees, and prospective students should also examine current graduation, board-exam, debt, and licensure information.