2026 Best Value Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology Schools in the Southwest Region

[Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/laboratory-sciences-medical-technology/) 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for laboratory sciences & medical technology students.
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2026 Best Value Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the laboratory sciences & medical technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked Del Mar College the best value for a degree in laboratory sciences & medical technology in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for laboratory sciences & medical technology. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $13,825 in student loans. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $56,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $21,944 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $54,659 early in their careers. Set against $21,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern State University earned it the #4 place for laboratory sciences & medical technology. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $21,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $62,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Texas one of the best values for laboratory sciences & medical technology. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #6 spot for laboratory sciences & medical technology value this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $22,872. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $67,589 early in their careers. Set against $22,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $25,625 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $49,983. That is a strong return on a $25,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #8 position for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $61,461. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Tarleton State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Students from in state pay about $8,302 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $22,091. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $60,501. Set against $22,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Oklahoma Christian University earned the #10 position for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Located in the city of Edmond, Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,180. Students borrow a median of $24,721 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of Oklahoma Christian University earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma Christian University admits about 96% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University placed #11 among the best values for laboratory sciences & medical technology. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $38,682. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $56,285. Set against $38,682 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
East Texas Baptist University came in at #12 for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Located in the town of Marshall, East Texas Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,680. Students borrow a median of $25,137 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from East Texas Baptist University generally make around $44,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Texas Baptist University admits about 58% of applicants.
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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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.