2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in the Far Western Region
[Laboratory Technician](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/laboratory-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for laboratory technician students.
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2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in laboratory technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools
College Of The Canyons earned the #1 spot for value among laboratory technician schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Clover Park Technical College one of the best values for laboratory technician. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $15,154. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $49,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in laboratory technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
De Anza College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kapiolani Community College came in at #7 for value in laboratory technician this year. Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,284, compared with $8,420 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $14,738 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $48,210 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,738 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada placed #8 among the best values for laboratory technician. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $9,980. Laboratory Technician graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern College Chula Vista came in at #9 for value in laboratory technician this year. Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public school located in the city of Chula Vista. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $11,205 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $49,358. Set against $11,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Alaska Anchorage ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Located in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,738, with out-of-state students paying around $21,322. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $21,787 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of University Of Alaska Anchorage earn a median of $81,203 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,787 median debt.
Merritt College earned the #11 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Merritt College is a large public school located in the city of Oakland. In-state tuition and fees average $1,258, while out-of-state students pay about $9,898. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $11,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,392 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,500 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
