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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Associate’s Degree Schools

95 Colleges in the United States
$14,908 Avg Student Debt
$40,319 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Associate's Degree Badge [Laboratory Technician](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/laboratory-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 317 schools to find the best return on investment for laboratory technician students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the laboratory technician degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools

1

For return on investment in laboratory technician, no school beat Mt San Antonio College this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #2 place for laboratory technician. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $17,104 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $58,346. That is a strong return on a $17,104 median debt.

3
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #4 place for laboratory technician. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Regional Technical College earned it the #5 place for laboratory technician. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $44,007 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

San Diego Miramar College came in at #6 for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Central Piedmont Community College came in at #7 for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Pima Community College earned the #8 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.

9

Clover Park Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,634. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $56,725. That is a strong return on a $15,154 median debt.

10

West Georgia Technical College placed #10 among the best values for laboratory technician. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.

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11

Gadsden State Community College placed #11 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $34,710. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.

12

Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #12 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.

13

Trident Technical College came in at #13 for value in laboratory technician this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $18,116. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.

14
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #14 spot for laboratory technician value this year. 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. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Middlesex Community College Bedford ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $11,602. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $55,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16

Mississippi Delta Community College landed the #16 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540. Students borrow a median of $13,819 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Mississippi Delta Community College generally make around $42,854. Set against $13,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #17 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $16,909. Laboratory Technician graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.

18

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College placed #18 among the best values for laboratory technician. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $16,131. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Horry Georgetown Technical College landed the #19 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $28,964 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

20

Folsom Lake College placed #20 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.

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21

Kapiolani Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $3,284 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,420. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $14,738 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Kapiolani Community College generally make around $48,210. That is a strong return on a $14,738 median debt.

22

Southwest Tennessee Community College placed #22 among the best values for laboratory technician. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $4,766, compared with $17,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $11,406. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Southwest Tennessee Community College generally make around $43,592. Set against $11,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Florence Darlington Technical College came in at #23 for value in laboratory technician this year. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $34,948. Set against $7,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Wytheville Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $9,542. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $40,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25
Grayson College crest
Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for laboratory technician this year:

26
27
28
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX
29
30
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY
31
32
33
34
35
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX
36
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
45
46
47
48
49
50

Other Laboratory Technician Degree Levels

Explore the best-value laboratory technician schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Laboratory Technician
Bachelor's Degrees in Laboratory Technician
Master's Degrees in Laboratory Technician
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View All Laboratory Technician Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 317 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 95 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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