2026 Best Value Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology Schools in the The Plains States 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 50 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools.
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2026 Best Value Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in laboratory sciences & medical technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology Schools
Leading the list is Wichita State University, our #1 best value for laboratory sciences & medical technology in the The Plains States Region. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $21,395. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $60,287. Set against $21,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $28,882. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $74,147 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in laboratory sciences & medical technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $73,403. That is a strong return on a $25,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in laboratory sciences & medical technology, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $23,608. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for laboratory sciences & medical technology. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory sciences & medical technology degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $58,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University landed the #6 spot for laboratory sciences & medical technology value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $24,551. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $65,883. That is a strong return on a $24,551 median debt. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
South Dakota State University landed the #7 spot for laboratory sciences & medical technology value this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $31,000. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $69,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #8 spot for laboratory sciences & medical technology value this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $53,088. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory sciences & medical technology schools. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Students borrow a median of $27,847 to complete the laboratory sciences & medical technology program here. Laboratory Sciences & Medical Technology graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $66,551 early in their careers. Set against $27,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in laboratory sciences & medical technology this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Typical student debt for laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates is $27,000. Early-career laboratory sciences & medical technology graduates make about $40,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.