2027 Best Value Laboratory Technician Associate’s Degree Schools
[Laboratory Technician](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/laboratory-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 120 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value laboratory technician schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the laboratory technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools
For return on investment in laboratory technician, no school beat El Centro College this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $14,557. Laboratory Technician graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Regional Technical College earned it the #2 place for laboratory technician. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for laboratory technician. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $17,104 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $58,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for laboratory technician. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in laboratory technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
College Of The Canyons came in at #6 for value in laboratory technician this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $9,776. Laboratory Technician graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Pima Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #8 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $11,602. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $55,924. Set against $11,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartanburg Community College came in at #9 for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $10,148. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $41,598. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bronx Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College landed the #11 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College landed the #12 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,368. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $34,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College placed #13 among the best values for laboratory technician. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $41,053. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #16 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $16,909. Laboratory Technician graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
St Philips College placed #17 among the best values for laboratory technician. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $15,653. Laboratory Technician graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College earned the #18 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $17,537 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $59,566 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kapiolani Community College landed the #19 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,284, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $14,738 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $48,210 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,738 median debt.
Roane State Community College placed #20 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,998, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $9,408. Laboratory Technician graduates of Roane State Community College earn a median of $36,933 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,408 median debt.
Mississippi Delta Community College earned the #21 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Moorhead. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540. Students borrow a median of $13,819 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Mississippi Delta Community College earn a median of $42,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #22 for value in laboratory technician this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,068 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $42,892 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bridgevalley Community And Technical College landed the #23 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of South Charleston. Students from in state pay about $5,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,428. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $11,958. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $46,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Tennessee Community College landed the #24 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,766, compared with $17,750 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $11,406 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Southwest Tennessee Community College earn a median of $43,592 early in their careers. Set against $11,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $48,172. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in laboratory technician:
Other Laboratory Technician Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Laboratory Technician rankings across degree levels:
View All Laboratory Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 120 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 120 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.
