Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions at Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology

Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute's ophthalmic technology program delivers surprisingly strong outcomes despite its small size. First-year graduates earn $44,504—roughly $6,800 above the national median for this field—while carrying just under $20,000 in debt. That 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, making this one of the more manageable debt loads you'll find in allied health training.

The program ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for earnings and keeps debt at the 5th percentile—meaning 95% of comparable programs leave students with more debt. This combination is particularly notable in Boston, where cost of living typically drives program expenses higher. With 40% of students receiving Pell grants, the school serves a substantial population of lower-income students while still maintaining strong employment outcomes.

The caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual results will vary more than at larger programs. But for a field that typically offers steady employment in eye care offices and clinics, the fundamentals look solid. If your child is interested in hands-on medical support work with predictable hours, this represents a practical two-year investment that shouldn't burden them with crushing debt while they build their career.