Students at 12 of the 13 schools and colleges of optometry were surveyed for demographic, socioeconomic, and financial characteristics in 1975-76. The western region was found to have the highest ratio of students to population. Overall, students indicated they intend to practice in communities similar to those of their permanent residence. The students were generally white males, with a median parental income of approximately $17,000. The median available assets for financing optometric education were $766, and the amount was clearly related to class, with first-year students reporting the largest amount. The median expected cost, however, was $25,781 for four years, with the largest cost occurring in the first year. This finding was in direct contrast to results of a 1970-71 survey, in which fourth year costs were the highest. Eighty-two percent anticipated being in debt upon completion of their studies, with the median debt over $10,000. Parents and spouses provided the greatest average financial support among the 17 sources listed on the questionnaire. Scholarships, on the average, provided little support, though federal programs provided 14 to 31 percent. Data tables and the survey instrument are appended. (Author/MSE)