2027 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools in the Southwest 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 69 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 the Southwest 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
El Centro College earned the #1 spot for value among clinical/medical laboratory science schools in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Clovis Community College one of the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Located in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,592, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $11,082 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $44,390. Set against $11,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus came in at #6 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the town of Ruidoso, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $1,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $3,268 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $11,110. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus generally make around $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College earned the #7 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College placed #8 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #9 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $13,825 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $56,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Grants earned the #10 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. New Mexico State University Grants is a small public school located in the town of Grants. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,272. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $9,048 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of New Mexico State University Grants earn a median of $34,802 early in their careers. Set against $9,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District placed #12 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $15,148. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College came in at #13 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $48,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College placed #14 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,598 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College came in at #15 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $11,627. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $48,737. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College landed the #17 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
San Juan College landed the #18 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $41,697. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Tulsa Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $26,444. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $47,316. That is a strong return on a $26,444 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus earned the #20 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Los Lunas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,878, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $10,986. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus earn a median of $35,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.
Pontotoc Technology Center landed the #21 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Ada. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Pontotoc Technology Center generally make around $44,846.
Mohave Community College placed #22 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,766 median debt.
Central Technology Center came in at #23 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Central Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Drumright. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,351.
Northeast Texas Community College earned the #24 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the rural area of Mount Pleasant, Northeast Texas Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,980, with out-of-state students paying around $5,620. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $15,089. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Northeast Texas Community College generally make around $37,839. That is a strong return on a $15,089 median debt.
Yavapai College landed the #25 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. Set against $14,087 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
The ranking above is published 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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 69 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.
