Optometry Students

Student Support

Optometry students have access to resources and services in the Student Support Office within the College of Optometry. These services are part of what makes Pacific University a great place to complete your education!

One of the things we do is organize different programs and events that assist and support students. Some examples are scheduling and registration of all students, acting as the liaison between students and University offices, and working with the student government (Student Optometric Association). Events that we plan include New Student Orientation, White Coat Ceremony, and Practice Opportunity Fairs, among others.

Another main part of our purpose is to assist students with issues that may not be academic in nature, but affect academic performance. This can include personal/family stress, medical emergencies, financial hardships, etc. We also serve as advocates for students if they need help working out concerns or issues with faculty members or administrators. Our doors are always open, and we encourage students to stop in at any time.

Student Support is where you begin when you’re not sure what to do or where to go!

    Student Accolades

    Our students continue to excel academically. The National Board exams, which represent a national standard of entry-level competence to practice optometry, shows how our students scored in national comparisons.  

    NBEO Pass Rates by graduation year 

    updated 04/28/2023

    Part I - Applied Basic Science (March & August Administration)

    Graduation Year

    PUCO Pass Rate - First Time Takers

    National Pass Rate - First Time Takers

    2023

    TBD TBD

    2022

    74.71%

    73.19%

    2021

    82.76%

    77.67%

    2020

    80.22%

    81.79%

    2019

    87.36% 74.66%

    2018

    83.75% 72.93%

    2017

    91.01% 79.04%
    Part II - Patient Assessment & Management (PAM)

    Graduation Year

    PUCO Pass Rate - First Time Takers

    National Pass Rate - First Time Takers

    2023

    TBD TBD

    2022

    86.21% 86.01%

    2021

    94.25%

    89.65%

    2020

    90.11%

    92.56%

    2019

    97.70% 87.63%

    2018

    95.00% 89.96%

    2017

    97.75% 89.33%
    Part III - Clinical Skills Exam

    Graduation Year

    PUCO Pass Rate - First Time Takers

    National Pass Rate - First Time Takers

    2023

    TBD TBD
    2022 85.06%

    79.89%

    2021

    82.76%

    79.87%

    2020

    74.73%

    85.90%

    2019

    89.66% 83.88%

    2018

    76.25% 75.97%

    2017

    79.78% 81.26%
    Ultimate Pass Rate

    Graduation Year

    PUCO Pass Rate

    National Pass Rate

    2023

    TBD TBD

    2022

    85.06%

    87.77%

    2021

    95.40%

    92.46%

    2020

    87.91%

    92.20%

    2019  

    96.55% 92.68%

    2018

    93.75% 92.09%

    2017

    97.75% 91.06%
    Per accreditation guidelines, below are the first time pass rates by test administration year regardless of graduation year or enrollment status.

    First time Pass rates by test administration year
    Number of 1st Time Takers (Pass Rate)

    # of all first time takers/ Pass rate (%) of first time takers

    Year

    Part I Applied Basic Science (March and August Administrations) Part II Patient Assessment and Management (December and April Administrations)

    Part III Clinical Skills Examination (July – June Administrations)

    Ultimate Pass Rate Graduation Year (Oct. 1 – Sept. 30)

    2022-2023 TBD 91 (95.60%) Dec only TBD TBD
    2021-2022 92 (77.17%) 87 (86.21%) 87 (85.06%) 87 (85.06%)
    2020-2021 89 (73.03%) 87 (94.25%) 87 (82.76%) 87 (95.40%)
    2019-2020 86 (83.72%) 89 (92.13%) 85 (75.29%) 91 (87.91%)
    2018-2019 91 (80.22%) 84 (97.62%) 84 (91.67%) 87 (96.55%)

    Graduation Rates

    Graduation and Attrition

    Entry Year

    2019

    2018

    2017

    2016

    2015

    Number of Matriculates 94 93 91 94 92
    Graduated in 4 years TBD 85 (91.40%) 87 (95.60%) 87 (92.55%) 83 (90.22%)
    Graduated in 5 or more years TBD TBD 2 (2.20%) 1 (1.06%) 4 (4.35%)
    Graduated at any time TBD 85 (91.40%) 89 (97.80%) 88 (93.62%) 87 (94.57%)
    Still enrolled or on leave TBD 5 (94.40%) 0 (0.00%) 0 (0.00%) 0 (0.00%)
    Attrition for Academic Reasons TBD 0 0 0 1 (1.09%)
    Attrition for other reasons TBD 3 (3.23%) 2 (2.20%) 6 (6.38%)

    4 (4.35%)

    Residency Program Matches
    Graduation Year # Of Students Matched
    2023 TBD
    2022 14
    2021 18
    2020 12
    2019 13
    2018 16
    2017 16