by our College Data Analytics Team
[Laboratory Technician](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/laboratory-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong laboratory technician education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for laboratory technician students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in laboratory technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
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, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Del Mar College earned it the #2 place for laboratory technician. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Amarillo College earned it the #3 place for laboratory technician. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $15,720. Laboratory Technician graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #4 place for laboratory technician. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Philips College earned it the #5 place for laboratory technician. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $15,653. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #6 for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Houston Community College earned the #7 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $48,172. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt.
Central Arizona College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College earned the #9 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Students borrow a median of $11,598 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College came in at #10 for value in laboratory technician this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $11,627. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $42,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District earned the #11 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $48,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College came in at #12 for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $26,444 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $47,316 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,444 median debt.
Northeast Texas Community College placed #13 among the best values for laboratory technician. Northeast Texas Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $2,980 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,620. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $15,089. Laboratory Technician graduates of Northeast Texas Community College earn a median of $37,839 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,089 median debt.
Weatherford College earned the #14 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,860. Students borrow a median of $9,875 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Weatherford College earn a median of $17,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt.
Tyler Junior College placed #15 among the best values for laboratory technician. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College earned the #16 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $53,086. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System landed the #17 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College earned the #18 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Located in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,213, while out-of-state students pay about $11,363. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $15,568. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $48,934. That is a strong return on a $15,568 median debt.
Phoenix College earned the #19 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $20,068. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $59,829. Set against $20,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #20 for value in laboratory technician this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $49,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #21 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. In-state tuition and fees average $8,469, with out-of-state students paying around $8,499. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $20,795. Laboratory Technician graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $57,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,795 median debt.
Rose State College earned the #22 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Rose State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Midwest City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $11,407. Students borrow a median of $13,451 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Rose State College generally make around $55,099. That is a strong return on a $13,451 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for laboratory technician. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $25,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $57,178. That is a strong return on a $25,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Tarleton State University came in at #24 for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Students borrow a median of $22,091 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $60,501. That is a strong return on a $22,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Southwest University At El Paso placed #25 among the best values for laboratory technician. Southwest University At El Paso is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $16,000. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $26,496. Laboratory Technician graduates of Southwest University At El Paso earn a median of $30,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for laboratory technician this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.