Compare 14 Laser and Optical Technology/Technician. programs in the South. Average earnings: $64,855.
With top graduates earning $94,406, Laser and Optical Technology/Technician stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $30K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The University of North Texas leads with graduates earning $94,406, well above the $64,855 regional average. Liberty University follows at $85,676, with the University of Houston close behind at $84,300. This trio demonstrates how program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall institutional reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of North Texas graduates borrow $19,250 and face just a 3.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $94,406 | 11 | $19,250 | Excellent | $23,211 | Good | |
| #2 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $85,676 | 20 | $24,500 | Excellent | $16,398 | Good |
| #3 | University Of HoustonPublic | $84,300 | 45 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Good |
| #4 | $78,417 | 15 | $20,500 | Excellent | $38,513 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $76,028 | 58 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $74,863 | 10 | $22,135 | Excellent | $18,071 | Good | |
| #7 | $73,273 | 10 | $27,000 | Excellent | $20,004 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $72,562 | 36 | $23,833 | Excellent | $19,000 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $67,073 | 11 | $28,000 | Good | $15,692 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $44,942 | 14 | $29,000 | Manageable | $19,929 | High | |
| #11 | $42,682 | 25 | $21,500 | Manageable | $19,809 | High | |
| #12 | $42,682 | 11 | $21,868 | Manageable | $18,241 | High | |
| #13 | $39,282 | 23 | $25,000 | Challenging | $11,900 | High | |
| #14 | $31,781 | 11 | $26,500 | High | $22,181 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
