2027 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Laboratory Technician](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/laboratory-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for laboratory technician students.
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2027 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in laboratory technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools
Lorain County Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value laboratory technician schools in the Great Lakes Region. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $19,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $59,337. That is a strong return on a $19,388 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in laboratory technician will find it at Kankakee Community College, which ranked #3. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $60,509. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Elgin Community College one of the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for laboratory technician. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $12,822. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $45,022. That is a strong return on a $12,822 median debt.
Oakton Community College placed #6 among the best values for laboratory technician. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Stark State College landed the #7 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $17,349. Laboratory Technician graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.
Belmont College placed #8 among the best values for laboratory technician. Set in the rural area of St Clairsville, Belmont College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,698 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,200 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $20,524 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Belmont College generally make around $58,414. That is a strong return on a $20,524 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #9 among the best values for laboratory technician. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $14,163 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $36,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edison State Community College came in at #10 for value in laboratory technician this year. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,499, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $15,406. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Edison State Community College generally make around $43,481. Set against $15,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College came in at #11 for value in laboratory technician this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $9,041. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marion Technical College landed the #12 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $6,595, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $11,828. Laboratory Technician graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $46,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
Washington State Community College earned the #13 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Located in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $45,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #14 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $12,954 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. Set against $12,954 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #15 for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,819 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $11,471. Laboratory Technician graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $39,552 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,471 median debt.
Ferris State University landed the #16 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,503 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $54,608. Set against $29,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Northcentral Technical College placed #17 among the best values for laboratory technician. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College earned the #18 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $11,626. Laboratory Technician graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,626 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College earned the #19 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $27,066. Laboratory Technician graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $47,505 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,066 median debt.
Clark State Community College placed #21 among the best values for laboratory technician. Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $4,393 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,049. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $20,740 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $46,003. Set against $20,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College landed the #22 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,904 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,147. Students borrow a median of $19,698 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $56,241. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Michigan University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $23,604. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $54,336. That is a strong return on a $23,604 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $54,717. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
