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Optician apprentice education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an optician apprentice. Optician apprentices usually study business, biology, or psychology. 31% of optician apprentices hold a associate degree, and 29% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 978 real optician apprentice resumes to see exactly what optician apprentice education sections show.

The most common colleges for optician apprentices are the University of Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati.

There are also many online optician apprentice courses to help get the education required to be an optician apprentice.

What education do you need to become an optician apprentice?

What degree do you need to be an optician apprentice?

The most common degree for optician apprentices is associate degree, with 31% of optician apprentices earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 29% and bachelor's degree degree at 24%.
  • Associate, 31%
  • Bachelor's, 29%
  • High School Diploma, 24%
  • Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 11%

What should I major in to become an optician apprentice?

You should major in business to become an optician apprentice. 21% of optician apprentices major in business. Other common majors for an optician apprentice include biology and psychology.

Most common colleges for optician apprentices

Optician apprentices often get their degrees at University of Cincinnati, University of Phoenix, and Lorain County Community College. Here are the most common colleges for optician apprentices in the US based on their resumes.
Optician apprentice common collegePercentages
University of Cincinnati10.23%
University of Phoenix7.95%
Lorain County Community College7.95%
Ohio State University6.82%
University of Akron5.68%

Best majors for optician apprentices

RankMajorPercentages
1Business20.8%
2Biology7.9%
3Psychology7.9%
4General Studies6.4%
5Health Care Administration6.4%

Best colleges for optician apprentices

The best colleges for optician apprentices are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Duke University.

An optician apprentice with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for optician apprentices. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become optician apprentices.

1. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

6. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

7. Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$13,478

Enrollment

979

8. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

9. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

10. Emory University

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,306

Enrollment

6,975

20 best online courses for optician apprentices

Advertising disclosure

1. Optical Engineering

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The courses in this specialization can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5600-5602, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Enroll here.\n\nOptical instruments are how we see the world, from corrective eyewear to medical endoscopes to cell phone cameras to orbiting telescopes. This course will teach you how to design such optical systems with simple graphical techniques, then transform those pencil and paper designs to include real optical components...

2. Design of High-Performance Optical Systems

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This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5602, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Optical instruments are how we see the world, from corrective eyewear to medical endoscopes to cell phone cameras to orbiting telescopes. This course extends what you have learned about first-order, paraxial system design and optical resolution and efficiency with the introduction to real lenses and their imperfections. We begin with a description of how...

3. Introduction To Fiber Optic Cabling

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Welcome! This course is designed to give you a good understand of fiber optics and fiber data transmission...

4. Optical Fiber Access Networks Using PON/FTTH

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All you need to know for getting started with FTTx Technology...

5. Active Optical Devices

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The courses in this specialization can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5605-5607, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Enroll here.\n\nThis Active Optical Devices specialization is designed to help you gain complete understanding of active optical devices by clearly defining and interconnecting the fundamental physical mechanisms, device design principles, and device performance. You will study and gain active experience with light emitting...

6. Waves and Optics

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This specialization is for learners who have completed a first-year university-level physics course and wants to continue their study. Through three courses, you will gain a foundation in waves and optics ranging from simple oscillators and waves in strings, to advanced diffraction effects of electromagnetic waves. With an entire semester of lectures and over 100 problems, this comprehensive specialization is similar in detail and rigor to what is taught in on-campus courses. It will thoroughly...

7. IT network cabling: The complete fiber optics course

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Demystifying fiber optics, the fastest growing ICT network infrastructure sector one lesson at a time!...

8. Optical Fiber Transmission Networks Using DWDM Technology

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All you require to start with DWDM Technology, fundamentals, components: Mux/Demux, ROADMS, Amplifiers, transponders etc...

9. Python Optical Character Recognition using Pytorch

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Note: The rhyme platform currently does not support webcams, so this is not a live project. This guided project is about optical character recognition using Pythorch, a Python library. This comes under the computer vision domain. While you are watching me code, you will get a cloud desktop with all the required software pre-installed. This will allow you to code along with me. After all, we learn best with active, hands-on learning. Note: This project works best for learners who are based in...

10. CVS Health Call Center Customer Service

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The demand for call center customer service representatives is huge, there are thousands of open job roles in the US alone. If you are someone that enjoys talking to people and solving problems and are ready for new experiences, then this program is right for you. Customer service in a call center is an exciting career where every day is a new day and a new adventure. If you're considering a career in retail customer service and you're someone who is passionate about providing exceptional...

11. Computer Vision: Python OCR & Object Detection Quick Starter

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Quick Starter for Optical Character Recognition, Image Recognition Object Detection and Object Recognition using Python...

12. Getting Started with Call Center Training

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Call Center Training is essential for both new hires and existing staff to sharpen their skills and feel motivated...

13. Customer Experiences with Contact Center AI - Dialogflow CX

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In this series, learn how to design customer conversations using Contact Center Artificial Intelligence (CCAI). You’ll use Dialogflow CX to create virtual agents and test them using the simulator. Learn to add functionality to access data from external systems, making virtual agents conversationally dynamic. You'll be introduced to testing methods, connectivity protocols, APIs, environment management, and compliance measures. Learn best practices for integrating conversational solutions with...

14. Customer Experiences with Contact Center AI - Dialogflow ES

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In this series, learn how to design customer conversations using Contact Center Artificial Intelligence (CCAI). You’ll use Dialogflow ES to create virtual agents and test them using the simulator. Learn to add functionality to access data from external systems, making virtual agents conversationally dynamic. You'll be introduced to testing methods, connectivity protocols, APIs, environment management, and compliance measures. Learn best practices for integrating conversational solutions with...

15. Customer Service Foundation

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An introductory course about understanding the foundations of Customer Service...

16. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer

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Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...

17. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives

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Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...

18. Introduction To Telecom Networks: Fixed/Wireless Networks

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PSTN, Voice Over IP Systems (Softswitch, IMS), Internet, Mobile/cellular systems, Optical Fiber Systems (OFAN, DWDM)...

19. Customer Service Fundamentals: Putting People First

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Customer Care Listening Great Customer Service Concern for Others Company Culture Engaging People Responding...

20. Customer Service

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How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...

Top 10 most affordable universities for optician apprentices

The most affordable schools for optician apprentices are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for optician apprentices are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for optician apprentices.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Cost of attendance

22,990

10. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Cost of attendance

24,718

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for optician apprentices

The hardest universities for optician apprentices to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Duke University.

Some great schools for optician apprentices are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for optician apprentices based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

5. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

7. Emory University

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,449

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for optician apprentices

The easiest schools for optician apprentices to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an optician apprentice without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for optician apprentices.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

8. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

9. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

10. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

Average optician apprentice salary by education level

According to our data, optician apprentices with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $43,218 annually. Optician apprentices with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $41,192.
Optician apprentice education levelOptician apprentice salary
High School Diploma or Less$39,276
Bachelor's Degree$43,218
Some College/ Associate Degree$41,192

Optician apprentice education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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