2026 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Associate’s Degree Schools

[Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 969 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for clinical/medical laboratory science students.
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2026 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in clinical/medical laboratory science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools
Mt San Antonio College tops our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $17,104 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $58,346. That is a strong return on a $17,104 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #3 place for clinical/medical laboratory science. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science 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.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Regional Technical College one of the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clover Park Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $56,725. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College came in at #8 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $10,655. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #9 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $35,768. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College placed #10 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College landed the #11 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College came in at #12 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,368. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Gadsden State Community College earn a median of $34,710 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Del Mar College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #14 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $55,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kapiolani Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,284, while out-of-state students pay about $8,420. Students borrow a median of $14,738 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Kapiolani Community College generally make around $48,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College placed #16 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $16,131. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Delta Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540. Students borrow a median of $13,819 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $42,854. Set against $13,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College landed the #20 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $17,537. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $59,566 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,537 median debt.
Nassau Community College earned the #21 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $11,850. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.
Grayson College came in at #22 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Rhode Island ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $19,626. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $54,495. Set against $19,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Tennessee Community College placed #24 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Located in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,766, while out-of-state students pay about $17,750. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $11,406. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Southwest Tennessee Community College generally make around $43,592. Set against $11,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in clinical/medical laboratory science:
Other Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value clinical/medical laboratory science schools at other degree levels:
View All Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 969 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 106 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.