2027 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for laboratory sciences & medical technology students.
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2027 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. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $22,217. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $64,575. Set against $22,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $29,503 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $65,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in laboratory sciences & medical technology will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #3. 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. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $28,021. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $55,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,021 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #4 makes Andrews University one of the best values for laboratory sciences & medical technology. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #5 makes Saginaw Valley State University one of the best values for laboratory sciences & medical technology. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $31,750. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $66,597. That is a strong return on a $31,750 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University landed the #6 spot for laboratory sciences & medical technology value 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, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $31,975. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $70,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,975 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #7 for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $70,654. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for laboratory sciences & medical technology value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University placed #9 among the best values for laboratory sciences & medical technology. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $23,604. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $54,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #10 position for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $59,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Michigan Technological University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $38,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #12 position for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $62,966. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #13 spot for laboratory sciences & medical technology value this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $68,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #14 position for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $65,737. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #15 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. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $61,401 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $64,774. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #18 for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. 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, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,741 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $63,038. That is a strong return on a $31,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Illinois State University earned the #19 position for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $25,470 in student loans. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $65,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,470 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #20 spot for laboratory sciences & medical technology value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $47,202. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $62,869. That is a strong return on a $25,449 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $33,814. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $72,390. That is a strong return on a $33,814 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Marquette University earned the #23 position for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,170. Students borrow a median of $24,122 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $60,443. Set against $24,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marquette University admits about 81% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.