2026 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools in the Far Western Region
[Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 86 schools to find the best return on investment for clinical/medical laboratory science students.
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2026 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools in the Far Western Region
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 Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $9,776. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical/medical laboratory science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $20,125. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $44,374. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in clinical/medical laboratory science will find it at San Diego Miramar College, which ranked #4. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clover Park Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $15,154. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $49,396. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.
Bates Technical College came in at #6 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $50,051 ten years out.
Renton Technical College came in at #7 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,768. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College placed #8 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College placed #9 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Kapiolani Community College placed #10 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Set in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,284, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. Students borrow a median of $14,738 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $48,210 early in their careers. Set against $14,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $35,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truckee Meadows Community College earned the #12 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,352, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #13 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Basin College earned the #14 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,555, with out-of-state students paying around $8,668. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $17,170. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $63,976. That is a strong return on a $17,170 median debt.
Centralia College placed #15 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Centralia College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Centralia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,266, with out-of-state students paying around $5,651. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $77,740.
Walla Walla Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,279, compared with $6,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $15,500. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $46,131. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.
Clark College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. In-state tuition and fees average $5,233, with out-of-state students paying around $11,183. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $33,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte County Regional Occupational Program came in at #18 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of Chico, Butte County Regional Occupational Program is a small public university. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $29,437.
Southwestern College Chula Vista placed #19 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Set in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,344, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $11,205. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Southwestern College Chula Vista generally make around $49,358. Set against $11,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yakima Valley Community College earned the #20 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Yakima. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,312, compared with $5,873 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $14,649 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $49,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Linn Benton Community College landed the #21 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Linn Benton Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,317, with out-of-state students paying around $16,736. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $17,959. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Linn Benton Community College generally make around $36,278. That is a strong return on a $17,959 median debt.
Palo Verde College landed the #22 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Palo Verde College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Blythe. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Median earnings reach $36,389 ten years out.
Green River Community College earned the #23 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,711, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,712 ten years after entry.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #24 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $48,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
Cuesta College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,350, while out-of-state students pay about $11,010. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $18,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for clinical/medical laboratory science this year:
Narrow Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 86 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
