The resonant wavelengths and mode radii of the dominant and certain higher orderTEMmpmodes supported by an oxide apertured vertical cavity surface emitting lasers are determined using a scalar variational formula. The reflectivity of the Bragg mirrors and the photon lifetime are calculated for each mode and both are found to decrease with decreasing oxide aperture diameter and increasing mode number. The aperture diameter, thickness, and axial position in the cavity, together with the refractive index contrast ratio used in the Bragg mirrors, are shown to be important in controlling the suppression of higher order modes. ©1998 American Institute of Physics.