2026 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant Schools in the Far Western Region

[Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/clinical-medical-laboratory-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for clinical/medical laboratory assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in clinical/medical laboratory assistant, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant Schools
Leading the list is Clover Park Technical College, our #1 best value for clinical/medical laboratory assistant in the Far Western Region. Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Clinical/medical Laboratory Assistant graduates carry a median of $14,405 in student loans. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory assistant graduates make about $42,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Renton Technical College earned it the #2 place for clinical/medical laboratory assistant. Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Renton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $7,768. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory assistant graduates is $18,582. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory assistant graduates make about $80,411. Set against $18,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clackamas Community College earned it the #3 place for clinical/medical laboratory assistant. Set in the suburb of Oregon City, Clackamas Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,345 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,265. Clinical/medical Laboratory Assistant graduates carry a median of $13,915 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Assistant graduates of Clackamas Community College earn a median of $31,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chemeketa Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory assistant schools. Located in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,345 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,040. Students borrow a median of $15,755 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory assistant program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Assistant graduates of Chemeketa Community College earn a median of $45,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,755 median debt.
Wenatchee Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical/medical laboratory assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Wenatchee, Wenatchee Valley College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,552, compared with $5,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory assistant graduates is $9,626. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory assistant degree recipients from Wenatchee Valley College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,626 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edmonds Community College landed the #6 spot for clinical/medical laboratory assistant value this year. Located in the suburb of Lynnwood, Edmonds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,810, with out-of-state students paying around $10,875. Students borrow a median of $16,025 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory assistant program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory assistant graduates make about $35,618. Set against $16,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Advanced Training Associates placed #7 among the best values for clinical/medical laboratory assistant. Advanced Training Associates is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Clinical/medical Laboratory Assistant graduates carry a median of $6,310 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Assistant graduates of Advanced Training Associates earn a median of $25,969 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,310 median debt.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.