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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for laboratory technician students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the laboratory technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in laboratory technician, no school beat Del Mar College this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Philips College earned it the #2 place for laboratory technician. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $15,653. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $45,185. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in laboratory technician will find it at Grayson College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in laboratory technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for laboratory technician. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $48,737. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Central Texas College placed #6 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
Houston Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $16,250. Laboratory Technician graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $48,172 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College placed #8 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $49,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weatherford College placed #9 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,860. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Weatherford College earn a median of $17,977 early in their careers. Set against $9,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College placed #10 among the best values for laboratory technician. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest University At El Paso placed #11 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. Students from in state pay about $16,000 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,496 median debt.
Tarleton State University landed the #12 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $22,091 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $60,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.