Skip to main content

Cheapest Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

California State University-Dominguez Hills graduates earn $86,867 annually, nearly double the $47,260 national floor for clinical laboratory professionals. This stark earnings gap among the 20 most affordable programs reveals how location and program focus shape career outcomes. CUNY Hunter College delivers the lowest net cost at $2,446, making laboratory science education accessible in New York's competitive healthcare market. The medical laboratory field employs over 335,000 professionals nationwide, with hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and research facilities driving steady demand across all regions. Net costs span from Hunter's $2,446 to Western New Mexico's $7,912, while graduation rates vary dramatically from College of Southern Nevada's 17.9% to Hunter's solid 61%. California schools dominate the earnings potential despite moderate costs, reflecting the state's concentration of biotechnology companies and advanced medical centers. Public institutions fill 14 of the 15 most affordable slots, with only Universidad Ana G. Mendez representing private education at $7,668 net cost.
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 $39,607 earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paying programs?

California State University-Dominguez Hills graduates earn $86,867 compared to $47,260 at other programs, primarily due to California's higher healthcare wages and proximity to biotechnology centers. Laboratory professionals in California benefit from the state's 40+ biotech companies and major medical research facilities. Cost of living adjustments and union presence in California hospitals also drive higher compensation. The $19,579 average debt at Dominguez Hills remains manageable given the strong earning potential.

How do CUNY schools compare in cost and career outcomes?

Hunter College offers the lowest net cost at $2,446 with 61% graduation rate and $55,693 earnings, while York College costs $4,734 with higher $74,576 earnings but only 30.3% graduation rate. Staten Island CUNY falls between at $5,115 net cost with $63,005 earnings and 32.8% graduation rate. All three CUNY programs provide access to New York's extensive hospital network and clinical laboratories. The variation in outcomes reflects different program structures and student support services.

Is graduation rate connected to program cost in laboratory science?

College of Southern Nevada shows the lowest graduation rate at 17.9% despite a moderate $6,329 net cost, while CUNY Hunter achieves 61% with the lowest cost at $2,446. University of West Florida matches Hunter's 61.8% graduation rate at $8,155 net cost, suggesting institutional support matters more than price. Marshall University maintains 48.7% graduation despite 96.88% acceptance rate, indicating strong retention programs. Higher costs do not guarantee better completion rates in laboratory science programs.

Does geographic location affect laboratory science career prospects?

California programs show the strongest earnings with Dominguez Hills at $86,867 and Los Angeles providing solid career preparation despite lower reported earnings data. Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates earn $49,344, reflecting the state's growing medical sector along the border region. Florida's University of West Florida produces $52,941 earners, benefiting from the state's large retiree population requiring extensive laboratory services. New York CUNY graduates range from $55,693 to $74,576, capitalizing on the metro area's hospital concentration.

Where can students find the best value in clinical laboratory education?

CUNY Hunter College provides strong value with $2,446 net cost, 61% graduation rate, and $55,693 earnings in New York's job-rich market. California State University-Dominguez Hills offers the highest earnings at $86,867 for just $3,659 net cost, though debt averages $19,579. University of West Florida combines reasonable $8,155 cost with strong 61.8% graduation rate and $52,941 earnings potential. Texas Rio Grande Valley delivers solid outcomes at $6,500 net cost with manageable $14,469 debt levels.

More Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions Rankings

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

Related

All Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

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