by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, laboratory sciences and medical technology was the 191st most popular major nationwide with 3,912 degrees awarded. This represents a 5.5% increase in clinical laboratory sciences degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 3,695.
This year's Best Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology Schools ranking compares 213 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom clinical laboratory sciences rankings further below.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times is a required skill for clinical laboratory sciences majors. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most clinical laboratory sciences degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic laboratory sciences and medical technology program qualifications, to serve in some clinical laboratory sciences careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Clinical Laboratory Sciences degree levels vary. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest clinical laboratory sciences degree you can get. The type of clinical laboratory sciences degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to clinical laboratory sciences, with approximately 37.3% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for clinical laboratory sciences workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 37.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 19.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 17.8% |
| Master’s Degree | 7.3% |
| Doctoral Degree | 4.4% |
Most workers in clinical laboratory sciences have at least a bachelor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in laboratory sciences and medical technology have received.
The education level required is different depending on the clinical laboratory sciences career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your clinical laboratory sciences degree? Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology careers are expected to grow 19.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to laboratory sciences and medical technology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists | 191,200 | 11.6% |
As you might expect, salaries for clinical laboratory sciences graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for laboratory sciences and medical technology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers clinical laboratory sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
With over 406 different clinical laboratory sciences degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased clinical laboratory sciences school rankings to help you with this.
Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology is one of 12 different types of Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Phlebotomy Technician/Phlebotomist | 7,599 |
| Laboratory Technician | 4,185 |
| Sterile Processing Technology/Technician | 1,108 |
| Other Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions | 982 |
| Blood Bank Technology Specialist | 280 |
Image Credit: By Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
