2026 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools in California
[Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 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 California
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
Leading the list is Mt San Antonio College, our #1 best value for clinical/medical laboratory science in California. 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. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #3 place 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #4 place for clinical/medical laboratory science. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $44,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at De Anza College earned it the #5 place for clinical/medical laboratory science. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Folsom Lake College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $10,332. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Southwestern College Chula Vista came in at #8 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,344 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $11,205 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Southwestern College Chula Vista earn a median of $49,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,205 median debt.
Palo Verde College landed the #9 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Located in the rural area of Blythe, Palo Verde College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,389 ten years after entry.
Butte County Regional Occupational Program ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the city of Chico, Butte County Regional Occupational Program is a small public institution. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Butte County Regional Occupational Program earn a median of $29,437 early in their careers.
Cuesta College landed the #11 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $1,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,010. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $18,958 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cabrillo College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,270 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $47,750. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rio Hondo College earned the #13 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Rio Hondo College is a very large public school located in the rural area of Whittier. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,388, while out-of-state students pay about $9,884. Students borrow a median of $15,510 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Rio Hondo College earn a median of $95,666 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mti College placed #14 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, Mti College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $8,569 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Mti College earn a median of $36,215 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,569 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Merritt College earned the #15 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the city of Oakland, Merritt College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,258, compared with $9,898 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,392 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Healthcare Career College landed the #16 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Healthcare Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Paramount. Students borrow a median of $14,680 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Healthcare Career College earn a median of $27,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,680 median debt.
Premiere Career College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the suburb of Irwindale, Premiere Career College is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $6,286 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Premiere Career College earn a median of $39,459 early in their careers. Set against $6,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
La Sierra University earned the #18 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. La Sierra University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $37,710. Students borrow a median of $29,507 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of La Sierra University earn a median of $51,670 early in their careers. Set against $29,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
National Career Education placed #19 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Set in the suburb of Citrus Heights, National Career Education is a small private for-profit institution. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $8,594 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of National Career Education earn a median of $33,979 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,594 median debt.
Institute For Business And Technology landed the #20 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Institute For Business And Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Jose. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $10,451 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $31,711. That is a strong return on a $10,451 median debt.
Central Coast College landed the #21 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Central Coast College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Salinas. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $7,580 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $31,707. That is a strong return on a $7,580 median debt.
High Desert Medical College earned the #22 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, High Desert Medical College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $17,028 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of High Desert Medical College earn a median of $27,467 early in their careers.
Pima Medical Institute San Marcos landed the #23 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Pima Medical Institute San Marcos is a small private for-profit institution. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $3,167 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $31,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
National University came in at #24 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Students borrow a median of $38,486 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from National University generally make around $55,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
National Polytechnic College came in at #25 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. National Polytechnic College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $19,402 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $34,613. Set against $19,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s clinical/medical laboratory science value ranking:
More Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
