2026 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 106 schools to find the best return on investment for clinical/medical laboratory science students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools in the The Plains States 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
Hutchinson Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $18,148 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $42,285. Set against $18,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis Community College earned it the #2 place for clinical/medical laboratory science. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $11,424. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $38,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Seward County Community College And Area Technical School one of the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,175 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. Set against $9,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coffeyville Community College earned it the #4 place for clinical/medical laboratory science. Set in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $4,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $12,838. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Coffeyville Community College earn a median of $45,342 early in their careers. Set against $12,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Southeast Community College Area one of the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,067 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $46,884 early in their careers. Set against $19,067 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $17,001. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College landed the #7 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,061 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $52,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Anoka Technical College landed the #8 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Located in the suburb of Anoka, Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,267. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $44,529. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt.
Bismarck State College came in at #9 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $61,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,340 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #10 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $47,585. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #11 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $6,326 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $16,875. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,006 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Manhattan Area Technical College earned the #12 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,844. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $15,499 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,499 median debt.
Barton County Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, while out-of-state students pay about $4,960. Students borrow a median of $14,792 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Barton County Community College generally make around $44,536. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt.
Washburn Institute Of Technology earned the #14 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,880. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $11,362. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Washburn Institute Of Technology earn a median of $39,749 early in their careers. Set against $11,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Students borrow a median of $24,036 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $43,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,036 median debt.
Wichita State University placed #16 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $21,395. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $60,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,882 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $74,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,882 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #18 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $25,875. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $73,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #19 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Set in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,718. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $13,674. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $47,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Superior College earned the #20 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785. Students borrow a median of $17,156 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Lake Superior College generally make around $42,543. Set against $17,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Kansas came in at #21 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $23,608. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $56,289. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $31,000. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $58,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Technical Institute came in at #23 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Students from in state pay about $7,650 in tuition and fees. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $18,442 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $48,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Winona State University earned the #24 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $24,551. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $65,883. Set against $24,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $31,000. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $69,255. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for clinical/medical laboratory science this year:
Narrow Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools by State
More Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Rankings
View All Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 106 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
