2027 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools in Illinois
[Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools.
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2027 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools in Illinois
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
For return on investment in clinical/medical laboratory science, no school beat Illinois Valley Community College this year. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $8,099. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $33,224. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #2 place for clinical/medical laboratory science. 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. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 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 Triton College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Elgin Community College one of the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College earned the #6 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, 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. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Oakton Community College came in at #7 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Rock Valley College placed #8 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
College Of Dupage earned the #10 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $12,492. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Parkland College earned the #11 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College placed #12 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. 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.
Waubonsee Community College landed the #13 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $39,659. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College earned the #14 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. 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, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Heartland Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Set against $13,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Illinois University came in at #17 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $70,654. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University came in at #18 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $25,470. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $65,629 early in their careers. Set against $25,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Midwestern Career College landed the #19 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Midwestern Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $9,750. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Midwestern Career College earn a median of $33,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Midwest Technical Institute Springfield Il came in at #20 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Midwest Technical Institute Springfield Il is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $9,710. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Midwest Technical Institute Springfield Il earn a median of $27,419 early in their careers. Set against $9,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
