Best institutions to study Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist
A program that prepares individuals to conduct and supervise complex medical tests, clinical trials, and research experiments; manage clinical laboratories; and consult with physicians and clinical researchers on diagnoses, disease causation and spread, and research outcomes.
233 U.S. institutions graduated 4,160 Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.1005, a specialization of Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10), and leads most directly to the Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1071).
About Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist programs
A program that prepares individuals to conduct and supervise complex medical tests, clinical trials, and research experiments; manage clinical laboratories; and consult with physicians and clinical researchers on diagnoses, disease causation and spread, and research outcomes. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, immunohematology, physiological relationships to test results, laboratory procedures and quality assurance controls, test and research design and implementation, analytic techniques, laboratory management, data development and reporting, medical informatics, and professional standards and regulations.
See also: 51.0719 - Clinical Research Coordinator.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist program prepares students to conduct and supervise complex medical tests and clinical trials. This program is ideal for individuals interested in managing clinical laboratories and consulting with healthcare professionals on diagnoses and research outcomes. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of laboratory procedures and quality assurance controls.
Core coursework includes instruction in hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, and medical informatics. Students will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication, which are vital for success in the healthcare field.
Credentials awarded
What Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree3,237 graduates / yr · 208 institutions78%
- Master's degree348 graduates / yr · 37 institutions8.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate277 graduates / yr · 22 institutions6.7%
- Associate's degree136 graduates / yr · 9 institutions3.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years98 graduates / yr · 10 institutions2.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship47 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.3%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice6 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,268 |
| 2013 | 3,360 |
| 2014 | 3,364 |
| 2015 | 3,542 |
| 2016 | 3,666 |
| 2017 | 3,661 |
| 2018 | 3,665 |
| 2019 | 3,663 |
| 2020 | 3,675 |
| 2021 | 3,894 |
| 2022 | 3,957 |
| 2023 | 4,056 |
| 2024 | 3,878 |
| 2025 | 4,160 |
Top 50 institutions for Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, ARPublicBachelor's | 396 | — | — | $59,134 |
| 2 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 157 | 46% | — | $67,576 |
| 3 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 131 | 75% | — | $72,390 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 130 | 49% | — | $62,966 |
| 5 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.DoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 111 | 84% | $29,789 | $40,630 |
| 6 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 90 | 60% | — | $65,073 |
| 7 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 69 | 81% | — | $47,202 |
| 8 | California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CAPublicBachelor's | 64 | 43% | — | $44,374 |
| 9 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 62 | — | — | $62,373 |
| 10 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 58 | 88% | — | $64,267 |
| 11 | University of West Florida Pensacola, FLPublicBachelor's | 53 | 59% | — | $65,673 |
| 12 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 52 | 43% | $31,817 | $55,562 |
| 13 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicBachelor's | 48 | 57% | — | $86,173 |
| 14 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TNPublicBachelor's | 48 | 40% | — | $70,028 |
| 15 | Idaho State University Pocatello, IDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 47 | 39% | — | $62,085 |
| 16 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 46 | 63% | — | $67,072 |
| 17 | Winston - Salem State University Winston-Salem, NCPublicBachelor's | 45 | 47% | — | $60,442 |
| 18 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 44 | — | — | $59,591 |
| 19 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 41 | 65% | — | $69,216 |
| 20 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 38 | 65% | — | $67,965 |
| 21 | CUNY York College Jamaica, NYPublicBachelor's | 37 | 32% | — | $105,425 |
| 22 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 37 | 85% | — | $70,225 |
| 23 | University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NEPublicBachelor's | 36 | — | — | $66,712 |
| 24 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicBachelor's | 36 | 76% | — | $92,286 |
| 25 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences San Juan, PRPublicPost-degree cert.Master'sBachelor's | 36 | — | — | — |
| 26 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicBachelor's | 35 | 62% | — | $69,255 |
| 27 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 35 | — | — | — |
| 28 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicBachelor's | 34 | 71% | — | $59,282 |
| 29 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master'sBachelor's | 34 | 69% | $26,034 | — |
| 30 | Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OHPublicPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 33 | 42% | — | $61,401 |
| 31 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 33 | 81% | $13,712 | $54,333 |
| 32 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor's | 30 | 78% | — | $62,453 |
| 33 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicBachelor's | 30 | 55% | — | $62,447 |
| 34 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor's | 29 | 65% | — | $65,629 |
| 35 | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Ponce Ponce, PRPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 29 | 49% | $13,112 | — |
| 36 | University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MAPublicBachelor's | 28 | 52% | — | $74,097 |
| 37 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 28 | 85% | — | $73,403 |
| 38 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor's | 28 | 61% | — | — |
| 39 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VAPublicBachelor's | 27 | 46% | — | $60,601 |
| 40 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - San German San German, PRPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 26 | 43% | $10,477 | — |
| 41 | St. Joseph's University - New York Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 25 | 69% | $17,134 | — |
| 42 | Upstate Medical University Syracuse, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 25 | — | — | $63,447 |
| 43 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 25 | 91% | — | $56,721 |
| 44 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MNPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 24 | 40% | — | $74,147 |
| 45 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor's | 24 | 75% | — | $70,264 |
| 46 | Tarleton State University Stephenville, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 24 | 48% | — | $51,327 |
| 47 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WIPublicBachelor's | 23 | 51% | — | $59,690 |
| 48 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo Campus Gurabo, PRPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 23 | 31% | $9,370 | $32,216 |
| 49 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex Milwaukee, WIPublicBachelor's | 23 | — | — | $62,966 |
| 50 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | — | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions field (CIP 51.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 47 states & territories
Where Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist graduates come from. Each state links to all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1071, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists or Health Specialties Teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 17.3%, approximately 27,400 annual openings, and a median wage of $105,620, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.1005
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists SOC 29-2011 | — | — | — | — |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise laboratory sessions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Tools and technology used
Other Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10).
- Phlebotomy Technician/CIP 51.1009
Phlebotomist 10,645 graduates / yr335 institutions - Clinical/CIP 51.1004
Medical Laboratory Technician 3,375 graduates / yr262 institutions - Sterile Processing Technology/CIP 51.1012
Technician 2,477 graduates / yr105 institutions - Clinical/CIP 51.1099
Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions 806 graduates / yr35 institutions - Histologic TechnicianCIP 51.1008243 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Blood Bank Technology SpecialistCIP 51.1001227 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Cytotechnology/CIP 51.1002
Cytotechnologist 137 graduates / yr16 institutions - Histologic Technology/CIP 51.1007
Histotechnologist 98 graduates / yr16 institutions - Hematology Technology/CIP 51.1003
Technician partial data84 graduates / yr3 institutions - Renal/CIP 51.1011
Dialysis Technologist/ Technician partial data77 graduates / yr8 institutions - Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/CIP 51.1006
Technician partial data72 graduates / yr3 institutions - Cytogenetics/CIP 51.1010
Genetics/ Clinical Genetics Technology/ Technologist limited data33 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs →
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 17.3%.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 233 colleges offering this program across the United States.
What is the CIP code for Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist?+
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist is CIP 51.1005 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to conduct and supervise complex medical tests, clinical trials, and research experiments; manage clinical laboratories; and consult with physicians and clinical researchers on diagnoses, disease causation and spread, and research outcomes. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, immunohematology, physiological relationships to test results, laboratory procedures and quality assurance controls, test and research design and implementation, analytic techniques, laboratory management, data development and reporting, medical informatics, and professional standards and regulations.
How many institutions offer Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist programs?+
233 U.S. institutions reported Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 47 states & territories, awarding 4,160 credentials in the year. That is 18.5% of all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions graduates.
How much do Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist most directly leads to, pays a median of $107,310 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions field report median earnings of $63,038 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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