2026 Best Value Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/laboratory-sciences-medical-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 69 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools.
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2026 Best Value Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in laboratory sciences & medical technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology Schools
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #1 spot for value among laboratory sciences & medical technology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $22,217. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $64,575 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,217 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in laboratory sciences & medical technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $19,844. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in laboratory sciences & medical technology will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $23,750. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $70,654. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Students looking for strong value in laboratory sciences & medical technology will find it at Ferris State University, which ranked #4. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $29,503. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $65,935. That is a strong return on a $29,503 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Oakland University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $28,021 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $55,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Hocking College landed the #6 spot for laboratory sciences & medical technology value this year. Set in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $16,535 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Hocking College generally make around $37,713. Set against $16,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $59,690 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #8 spot for laboratory sciences & medical technology value this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #9 position for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $19,500. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $68,564. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #10 spot for laboratory sciences & medical technology value this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $31,750 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $66,597. That is a strong return on a $31,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wayne State University came in at #11 for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $31,975 in student loans. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $70,611. Set against $31,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for laboratory sciences & medical technology. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $61,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #13 among the best values for laboratory sciences & medical technology. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $62,966. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #14 for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $65,737. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Michigan Technological University placed #15 among the best values for laboratory sciences & medical technology. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $38,756 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University placed #16 among the best values for laboratory sciences & medical technology. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $31,741 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $63,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Toledo placed #17 among the best values for laboratory sciences & medical technology. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Students borrow a median of $33,356 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $66,225 early in their careers. Set against $33,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $22,500. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $64,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Northern Michigan University earned the #19 position for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $23,604 in student loans. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $54,336 early in their careers. Set against $23,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Andrews University came in at #20 for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Illinois State University came in at #21 for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,470 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $65,629. That is a strong return on a $25,470 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #22 among the best values for laboratory sciences & medical technology. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $47,202. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $33,814 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $72,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,814 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Miami University Oxford ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,177 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $49,700. That is a strong return on a $24,177 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
