Get Started
Get Info
Tour
Give

Enter a search request and press enter. Press Esc or the X to close.

Close
Glasses frames

A perfect vision
for your future:

There's a reason that so many prospective students choose to apply to SCO each year.

Apply Now
Southern College of Optometry building
Admissions

Optometry is an Investment as Your Future Career

When you apply to SCO, you’ve chosen one of the nation’s leading optometry schools—alma mater to 14 American Optometric Association Presidents and nearly 90 years of graduating the best clinicians in the field.

Start Here
Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN
Stats

Southern College of Optometry by the Numbers

SCO’s numbers reflect the strength of our optometry school and the top qualified students we recruit. From our low student/faculty ratio to the number of patient encounters our interns experience by their graduation, the facts speak for themselves as to why SCO is a leading choice for optometry students across the nation.

Why SCO?

98%

ultimate board passage rate

32

residency programs with 57 residency slots – more than any optometry school in the country

55575

square ft clinic

9:1

student/faculty ratio

60+

endowed scholarships awarded to each entering class

25

consecutive years of 0% default rate on student loans

3

patient care clinics SCO operates in Memphis

2600

patient encounters by graduation (including externships)
Testimonials

Hear from the Students

All Testimonials
Video testimonial cover image
Class of 2021
Lauren Watson
Video testimonial cover image
Class of 2021
Tim Szu
Video testimonial cover image
Class of 2022
Kami Badger
Video testimonial cover image
Class of 2023
Kalen Thompson
Let's Talk

See Your Future in 20/20

SCO actively pursues opportunities that help our patients see better and our students learn at the same time. We would love to share more with you about the many reasons optometry is a rewarding healthcare profession where you will make a difference as a primary eyecare provider.

Request Information
optometrist conducting an eye exam
Taking notes
News

The Latest from SCO

  • A Vision of Positive Impact 4/6/22
    “One or two? Two or three? Three or four?” Four looks the best to me as I am finishing up my fourth year of optometry school! Allow me to share three discoveries I made during my SC...
  • SCO Hosts 2022 Commencement 5/3/22
    The Class of 2022 celebrated its commencement on Tuesday, May 3 at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Memphis. Ann McLean  was named Class Valedictorian, while  Holly...
  • SCO Alumni Recognized at ArOA Spring Convention 5/6/22
    Congratulations to the many SCO alumni who recently received recognition as leaders in Arkansas optometry at this year's Arkansas Optometric Association (ArOA) spring convention, held April 21-23...
Picture of Memphis Skyline

See all that Memphis has to offer you

Get to Know Memphis
loading