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Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

California State University-Dominguez Hills graduates in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science earn $86,867 annually, the highest among affordable programs nationwide, while CUNY Hunter College costs just $2,446 net for the same degree. This $84,421 earning gap reflects how location shapes both education costs and career outcomes in laboratory sciences. The field serves critical roles in America's healthcare infrastructure, with medical laboratories processing over 13 billion tests annually to guide patient diagnoses and treatment decisions. Public universities dominate affordable options, with 14 of the top 15 programs charging under $9,000 net annually. Regional markets create stark differences in graduate earning potential, from $47,260 in some areas to over $86,000 in others. The College of Southern Nevada offers the lowest published tuition at $4,110 in-state, though its 17.9% graduation rate signals completion challenges. Several programs maintain strong job placement, with University of West Florida achieving 61.8% graduation rates while keeping costs at $8,155 net annually.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $12,188
Net Price Range
$58,493
Avg. Program Earnings
46.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
3 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
4 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
5 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
6 $6,329 $4,110 17.9%
7 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
8 $7,668 $6,920 30.2%
9 $7,912 $7,868 34.9%
10 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
11 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
12 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
13 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
14 $8,365 $7,050 35.5% 57.7%
15 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
16 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
17 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
18 $8,964 $5,580 31.6% 46.8%
19 $9,034 $5,580 42.7% 40.1%
20 $9,173 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
21 $9,287 $8,032 32.7% 70.1%
22 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
23 $9,983 $9,700 42.3% 91.4%
24 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
25 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
26 $10,082 $6,340 47.9% 94.7%
27 $10,319 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
28 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
29 $10,722 $6,391 43.0%
30 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
31 $10,874 $13,120 49.7% 57.2%
32 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
33 $10,948 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
34 $10,988 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
35 $11,154 $2,563 52.1%
36 $11,180 $11,656 49.8% 75.6%
37 $11,257 $8,460 52.0% 71.2%
38 $11,408 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
39 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
40 $11,513 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
41 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
42 $11,633 $9,190 50.6% 70.1%
43 $11,653 $8,400 38.3% 99.5%
44 $11,779 $6,938 59.8% 96.0%
45 $11,800 $7,513 37.2% 99.5%
46 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
47 $11,893 $19,920 39.8%
48 $12,168 $13,426 43.4% 82.6%
49 $12,171 $8,508 48.7% 94.4%
50 $12,188 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $84,421 earnings gap between top and bottom Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science programs?

Geographic location drives most salary differences in laboratory sciences. California State University-Dominguez Hills graduates earn $86,867 annually in the Los Angeles area, where major medical centers and research facilities compete for skilled technologists. Meanwhile, graduates from programs in smaller markets typically start around $47,260 annually. Cost of living adjustments and regional healthcare demand create these substantial pay differences across identical degree programs.

How do graduation rates vary among affordable Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science programs?

Completion rates range from 17.9% at College of Southern Nevada to 61.8% at University of West Florida among affordable programs. CUNY Hunter College maintains 61% graduation rates despite charging only $2,446 net annually. Programs with higher acceptance rates like Marshall University at 96.88% often show moderate completion rates around 48.7%, suggesting open admission policies may impact student preparedness.

Is student debt a major concern for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science graduates?

Most affordable programs keep debt manageable, with available data showing ranges from $14,469 at UT Rio Grande Valley to $19,579 at Cal State Dominguez Hills. The low debt loads reflect reasonable tuition costs at public institutions. Given that entry-level laboratory technologist salaries start around $47,000-$55,000 nationally, these debt levels represent sustainable career investments for most graduates.

Does acceptance rate indicate program quality in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science?

Acceptance rates vary widely from 47.86% at CUNY Hunter College to 96.88% at Marshall University, but don't directly correlate with program quality or outcomes. Hunter College combines selectivity with strong earnings at $55,693 for graduates, while Marshall's open admission approach still produces employable professionals. Clinical skills and laboratory competencies matter more than admission selectivity in this hands-on healthcare field.

Where do Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science graduates find the best value?

CUNY schools deliver strong value, with Hunter College costing $2,446 net and York College at $4,734 net while producing graduates earning $55,693 and $74,576 respectively. University of West Florida provides strong returns at $8,155 net cost with 61.8% graduation rates. Texas and California public universities offer regional opportunities with moderate costs and solid career preparation for laboratory careers.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.