by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for clinical/medical laboratory science students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the clinical/medical laboratory science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Rich Mountain Community College earned the #1 spot for value among clinical/medical laboratory science schools in Arkansas. Set in the town of Mena, Rich Mountain Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,696, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Rich Mountain Community College generally make around $21,186.
Black River Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical/medical laboratory science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Pocahontas, Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $12,420. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Black River Technical College generally make around $41,888. Set against $12,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas Northeastern College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public school located in the town of Blytheville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,570, while out-of-state students pay about $4,250. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $7,944. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Arkansas Northeastern College generally make around $47,773. That is a strong return on a $7,944 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mid South Community College earned it the #4 place for clinical/medical laboratory science. Mid South Community College is a small public school located in the suburb of West Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,126, compared with $4,824 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.
Arkansas State University Newport is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical/medical laboratory science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,752. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $10,925 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $44,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville landed the #6 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Located in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,662. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $9,265. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville generally make around $64,187. Set against $9,265 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home landed the #7 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,776. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $18,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Arkansas State University Mountain Home generally make around $39,011. Set against $18,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Arkansas College placed #8 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Harrison. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,592 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $10,645 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $38,948. That is a strong return on a $10,645 median debt.
Arkansas State University Beebe landed the #9 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Beebe. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $9,350. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $30,293. That is a strong return on a $9,350 median debt.
National Park Community College came in at #10 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,600, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $14,162 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of National Park Community College earn a median of $42,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Monticello. Students from in state pay about $9,292 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,857 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $15,611. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $41,278 early in their careers. Set against $15,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Arkansas College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the town of Pine Bluff, Southeast Arkansas College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,650. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $12,008. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $30,715. That is a strong return on a $12,008 median debt.
Harding University came in at #13 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $26,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $53,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.
Baptist Health College Little Rock came in at #14 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of Little Rock, Baptist Health College Little Rock is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,143. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $19,786 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Baptist Health College Little Rock earn a median of $54,050 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,786 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.