RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas — The University of Texas System Board of Regents has approved tuition and fees for UTRGV’s planned Doctor of Optometry program and authorized $41.3 million in Permanent University Fund bonds for its academic and clinical facilities.
UTRGV plans to enroll an inaugural class of about 40 students in fall 2027, subject to approval from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. The program would become Texas’ second public university Doctor of Optometry program.
Tuition and program costs
A Texas resident would pay an estimated $84,989 in tuition and required fees over the four-year program under the structure approved by regents. UTRGV said that amount is about 31% below the University of Houston’s reported cost and 52% below the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry, based on Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry data for 2025-26.
UTRGV said the comparison places its planned program among the least expensive optometry programs nationally. The university noted that the national figures reflect 2025-26 rates, while UTRGV’s rates would begin in 2027-28.
McAllen facility
The $41.3 million renovation will convert the former AIM Media Texas building at 1400 E. Nolana Ave. in McAllen into academic and clinical space for the School of Optometry. The facility is expected to include classrooms, pre-clinic laboratories, research areas, offices and student-support space.
Academic areas are scheduled for completion by July 2027. The clinical portion is expected to be completed in January 2028.
The 183-credit-hour program plans to employ 21 full-time faculty members. Students are expected to complete about 1,500 supervised patient encounters while receiving training in ocular disease, myopia management, vision therapy and minor surgical care.
Regional vision care
UTRGV said the school will help address the region’s need for vision-care professionals and support research into conditions affecting South Texas, including diabetes-related eye disease.
The school is expected to collaborate with UTRGV’s schools of Medicine and Podiatric Medicine, the South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute, UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center and the Memory and Aging Center.
“The School of Optometry will give more students an opportunity to enter a healthcare profession, strengthen the healthcare workforce in South Texas and expand access to vision care across the region,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said.
Sources:
UTRGV Newsroom
