Fast facts

Graduating class of 2004 in gowns

  • Waterloo is Canada’s only English-language school of optometry
  • Waterloo consistently places among Maclean's top universities in Canada
  • Years of university required before admission to the School: 3
  • Program length: 4 years
  • Program start date: September of each year
  • Number of applicants in 2022: 295
  • Number admitted in 2022: 90
  • Required overall university grade average: 75%
  • Actual overall grade average for 2022: 87 (with a range of 80%-98%)
  • Minimum Optometry Admission Test (OAT) score: 300
  • Actual average OAT score for 2022: 384
  • Number of alumni: 3,500
  • Employment rate upon graduation: 100% within 6 months
  • The average Canadian optometrist in practice earns $70,000 – $80,000 per year, excluding benefits
  • How long does an optometrist stay in the career? Typically life long, until retirement