Best colleges for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions by graduate earnings are CUNY York College ($105,425), Stony Brook University ($92,286) and CUNY Hunter College ($86,173), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- CUNY York College (Jamaica, NY): $105,425, 37 graduates a year
- Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY): $92,286, 36 graduates a year
- CUNY Hunter College (New York, NY): $86,173, 68 graduates a year
- Rutgers University - New Brunswick (New Brunswick, NJ): $80,060, 41 graduates a year
- Saint Cloud State University (Saint Cloud, MN): $74,147, 27 graduates a year
Compare 816 U.S. colleges offering Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 52 states.
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $54,790 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 51.10 and the Medical Equipment Preparers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs
The Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions program prepares students for careers as licensed healthcare professionals who perform diagnostic testing on body fluids, such as blood and urine. This program is ideal for individuals interested in contributing to patient care through laboratory analysis and supporting healthcare providers with critical test results.
Learn more about Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions →
Students in this program gain essential skills in critical thinking, monitoring, and active listening, alongside knowledge in biology and public safety. Coursework typically covers the operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, sterilization procedures, and the organization of surgical instrument trays.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY York College Jamaica, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $105,425 | 37 | 32% | — | $11,000 |
| 2 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $92,286 | 36 | 76% | — | $17,538 |
| 3 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $86,173 | 68 | 57% | — | — |
| 4 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,060 | 41 | 84% | — | $29,682 |
| 5 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,147 | 27 | 40% | — | $28,882 |
| 6 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,097 | 28 | 52% | — | $29,898 |
| 7 | Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,903 | 34 | 54% | — | $28,665 |
| 8 | University of Delaware Newark, DE Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,722 | 22 | 81% | — | $25,908 |
| 9 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,403 | 28 | 85% | — | $25,875 |
| 10 | University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,390 | 131 | 75% | — | $33,814 |
| 11 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $70,264 | 24 | 75% | — | $21,842 |
| 12 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $70,225 | 37 | 85% | — | $20,096 |
| 13 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $70,028 | 48 | 40% | — | $22,810 |
| 14 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,255 | 36 | 62% | — | $31,000 |
| 15 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,216 | 51 | 65% | — | $27,000 |
| 16 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,965 | 38 | 65% | — | $25,000 |
| 17 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,576 | 157 | 46% | — | $26,733 |
| 18 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,072 | 46 | 63% | — | $24,589 |
| 19 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,736 | 292 | 43% | $21,535 | $38,682 |
| 20 | University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $66,712 | 53 | — | — | — |
| 21 | University of West Florida Pensacola, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,673 | 53 | 59% | — | $21,032 |
| 22 | Illinois State University Normal, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,629 | 29 | 65% | — | $25,470 |
| 23 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,267 | 58 | 88% | — | $22,500 |
| 24 | Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $101,516 | 17 | 46% | $17,604 | $31,000 |
| 25 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $95,766 | 16 | 53% | — | $26,470 |
Top 6 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND Public · Certificate | $65,073 | 119 | 60% | — | $29,650 |
| 2 | Heritage University Toppenish, WA Private not-for-profit · Graduate degree Small program | $78,062 | 13 | 54% | $13,380 | — |
| 3 | Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA Public · Associate degree | $74,011 | 21 | 24% | — | — |
| 4 | Saint Joseph's University - Lancaster Lancaster, PA Private not-for-profit · Certificate Small program | $68,940 | 6 | 69% | $36,413 | — |
| 5 | Springfield Technical Community College Springfield, MA Public · Associate degree Small program | $66,182 | 5 | 32% | — | — |
| 6 | Arapahoe Community College Littleton, CO Public · Associate degree | $63,746 | 41 | 29% | — | $27,845 |
Specializations within Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
13 of the 13 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 51.10 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Phlebotomy Technician/CIP 51.1009
Phlebotomist 10,645 graduates / yr335 institutions42 states - Clinical Laboratory Science/CIP 51.1005
Medical Technology/ Technologist 4,160 graduates / yr233 institutions47 states - Clinical/CIP 51.1004
Medical Laboratory Technician 3,375 graduates / yr262 institutions43 states - Sterile Processing Technology/CIP 51.1012
Technician 2,477 graduates / yr105 institutions28 states - Clinical/CIP 51.1099
Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions 806 graduates / yr35 institutions22 states - Histologic TechnicianCIP 51.1008243 graduates / yr19 institutions13 states
- Blood Bank Technology SpecialistCIP 51.1001227 graduates / yr13 institutions8 states
- Cytotechnology/CIP 51.1002
Cytotechnologist 137 graduates / yr16 institutions12 states - Histologic Technology/CIP 51.1007
Histotechnologist 98 graduates / yr16 institutions12 states - Hematology Technology/CIP 51.1003
Technician partial data84 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states - Renal/CIP 51.1011
Dialysis Technologist/ Technician partial data77 graduates / yr8 institutions6 states - Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/CIP 51.1006
Technician partial data72 graduates / yr3 institutions2 states - Cytogenetics/CIP 51.1010
Genetics/ Clinical Genetics Technology/ Technologist limited data33 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
Offered across 52 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 31-9093, Medical Equipment Preparers, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue various roles, including medical technologist or clinical laboratory technician. The job outlook for this field is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 10% and approximately 10,900 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this area is $46,490, and a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 51.10.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 51.10 (Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions) maps to 8 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 29-2011 | Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists |
| 29-2012 | Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians |
| 29-2055 | Surgical Technologists |
| 29-2099 | Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other |
| 31-9093 | Medical Equipment Preparersprimary |
| 31-9097 | Phlebotomists |
| 51-9083 | Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed.
- Clean instruments to prepare them for sterilization.
- Record sterilizer test results.
- Organize and assemble routine or specialty surgical instrument trays or other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed.
- Examine equipment to detect leaks, worn or loose parts, or other indications of disrepair.
- Report defective equipment to appropriate supervisors or staff.
Common questions
What is a medical laboratory scientist?+
A medical laboratory scientist performs diagnostic testing on body fluids to aid in patient treatment.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, monitoring, active listening, and knowledge in biology and public safety.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 10% and about 10,900 annual openings.
What education is required for a career in this field?+
Typically, a high school diploma or equivalent is required to enter this field.
How much do Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions graduates earn?+
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $54,790, College Scorecard (2019); the Medical Equipment Preparers occupation pays about $50,510 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions?+
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions maps to CIP 51.10 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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