2026 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong clinical/medical laboratory science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 186 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the clinical/medical laboratory science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools
Leading the list is Washtenaw Community College, our #1 best value for clinical/medical laboratory science in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lansing Community College earned it the #2 place for clinical/medical laboratory science. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $16,700. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Cuyahoga Community College District one of the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $14,636. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in clinical/medical laboratory science will find it at Elgin Community College, which ranked #4. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $12,822 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $45,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $12,272. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $26,947. Set against $12,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #7 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $11,149. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Lorain County Community College came in at #9 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College earned the #10 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College landed the #11 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College landed the #12 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $7,750. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County earned the #13 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Kankakee Community College placed #14 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Richland Community College placed #15 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waubonsee Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $39,659. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage placed #17 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $14,163 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $36,439 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,163 median debt.
Stark State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $17,349. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #20 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Students borrow a median of $19,388 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $59,337. That is a strong return on a $19,388 median debt.
Columbus State Community College landed the #21 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Parkland College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College placed #23 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $15,677. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rock Valley College placed #24 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $9,236. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #25 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s clinical/medical laboratory science value ranking:
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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 · 186 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
