Big Rapids, MI
🩺 School Overview
Tuition (In State): $41,839
Tuition (Out of State): $41,839
Accreditation Status: N/A
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Total Enrollment: 37
Degrees: N/A
Founding Year: 1979
Accreditation Year: N/A
Website: http://www.ferris.edu/mco/
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📄 Application Information
Applications Received: N/A
Interviews Granted: N/A
Admitted: N/A
Average MCAT: N/A
Average GPA: 3.7
Male: N/A
Female: N/A
Underrepresented:N/A
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About the School
The Michigan College of Optometry (MCO), established in 1974, is the sole optometry school in Michigan and one of only 23 in the United States. Located on the Ferris State University campus in Big Rapids, MCO offers a Doctor of Optometry (OD) program accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE). The college emphasizes personalized instruction and practical experience, preparing students for careers as optometric healthcare providers through research, scholarly activity, evidence-based clinical education, and patient-centered care.
Curriculum
MCO's four-year OD curriculum integrates foundational sciences with clinical training. Coursework includes human anatomy and physiology, ocular anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy, geometrical and physical optics, microbiology, immunology, and health services organization and policy. Students begin clinical experience in the second semester through a clinical simulation laboratory, working with fellow students as "patients" to develop practical skills.
Facilities
MCO's primary facility is the University Eye Center (UEC), a full-service eye care clinic located within the college. The UEC serves university employees, students, the Big Rapids community, and patients from across Michigan and the United States. It offers comprehensive eye care services, including cornea and contact lens care, interprofessional wellness, pediatric and binocular vision, and vision rehabilitation. The UEC also features a dispensary with over 1,000 frames and on-site lens fabrication.
Demographics
The typical entering class at MCO comprises 37 students, with a recent class profile indicating a gender distribution of 57% female and 43% male. The age range is 20 to 26 years, with a mean age of 23. The average Overall GPA is 3.70, and the average Optometry Admission Test (OAT) score is 334.
SDN Insights
Our analysis of MCO:
Student Loan Burden: $345,416
A student taking student loans for all 4 years of medical school at MCO, including tuition, fees, locally adjusted cost of living expenses, incidentals, and interest, can expect to have total student loans of $345,416. Estimate repayment with the SDN School Loan Repayment Calculator.
Cost of Living: Equal to National Average
The cost of living at MCO is approximately equal to the average cost of living at medical schools nationwide. While planning your finances, you can expect typical expenses comparable to most medical institutions.
Environment: Large Rural
The area surrounding MCO is best navigated by car, with few amenities within walking or biking distance. While this quieter environment may offer fewer distractions, it requires a bit more planning for everyday errands or exploring local offerings.
School Address: 1201 S. State Street, Big Rapids, MI 49307
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Why no Tier Rankings?
Although we could tier rank, over the past 25 years we've found no compelling benefit for ranking schools. Students are most successful when they prioritize personal and academic fit over school rank.
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