2027 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/) 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 35 schools to find the best return on investment for clinical/medical laboratory science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
For return on investment in clinical/medical laboratory science, no school beat Hutchinson Community College this year. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. 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.
Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical/medical laboratory science, landing the #2 spot this year. Central Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washburn Institute Of Technology came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. 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. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $39,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Nebraska Community College earned it the #4 place for clinical/medical laboratory science. Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $14,507. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $62,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $9,175 in student loans. 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.
Coffeyville Community College landed the #6 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Located in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,680. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $12,838. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $45,342. Set against $12,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $11,424. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $38,999 early in their careers. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #8 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $15,866. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $39,980. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
Barton County Community College landed the #9 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. 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. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $44,536. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt.
Neosho County Community College earned the #10 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,704. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $13,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Neosho County Community College generally make around $44,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. That is a strong return on a $15,390 median debt.
Manhattan Area Technical College came in at #12 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,844. Students borrow a median of $15,499 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,499 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. 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, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $47,585 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bismarck State College placed #14 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, 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.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College came in at #15 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $44,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #16 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. 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. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $44,006. That is a strong return on a $16,875 median debt.
Ridgewater College landed the #17 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $15,556. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $42,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #18 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,491 in tuition and fees. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $43,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #19 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, while out-of-state students pay about $6,570. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $16,126. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. That is a strong return on a $16,126 median debt.
North Hennepin Community College came in at #20 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $52,492 early in their careers. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitchell Technical Institute came in at #21 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,524 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $12,730. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $47,686. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt.
Wichita State University landed the #22 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $21,395 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $60,287 early in their careers. Set against $21,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $28,882. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $74,147. Set against $28,882 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Western Dakota Technical Institute earned the #24 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of Rapid City, Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $17,997 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Western Dakota Technical Institute earn a median of $46,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $24,036 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $43,164. That is a strong return on a $24,036 median debt.
Rest of the Top 35 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), 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
