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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region

12 Colleges in the United States
$16,324 Avg Student Debt
$42,074 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Badge [Laboratory Technician](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/laboratory-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 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 Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in laboratory technician, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools

1

Leading the list is Elgin Community College, our #1 best value for laboratory technician in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #2 place for laboratory technician. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $12,822. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $45,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lorain County Community College earned it the #3 place for laboratory technician. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Students looking for strong value in laboratory technician will find it at Oakton Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $48,838. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

A rank of #5 makes Kankakee Community College one of the best values for laboratory technician. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College earned the #6 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $14,163. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $36,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College earned the #7 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #8 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Students borrow a median of $19,388 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $59,337. That is a strong return on a $19,388 median debt.

9

Columbus State Community College earned the #9 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $9,041. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Southwestern Illinois College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Edison State Community College placed #11 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,499, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $15,406. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Edison State Community College generally make around $43,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #12 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $12,954 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $38,325. Set against $12,954 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Clark State Community College landed the #13 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $4,393, with out-of-state students paying around $8,049. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $20,740 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Clark State Community College earn a median of $46,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,740 median debt.

14

Washington State Community College placed #14 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $16,291. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Washington State Community College generally make around $45,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College placed #15 among the best values for laboratory technician. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fennimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,904, while out-of-state students pay about $7,147. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $19,698 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $56,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,698 median debt.

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16

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $14,997. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $42,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17
Mid State Technical College crest
Mid State Technical College
Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Mid State Technical College came in at #17 for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Students borrow a median of $11,626 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,626 median debt.

18

Northcentral Technical College earned the #18 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $11,709. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $41,696. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #19 among the best values for laboratory technician. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $27,066. Laboratory Technician graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $47,505 early in their careers. Set against $27,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Madison Area Technical College earned the #20 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $54,717. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University came in at #21 for value in laboratory technician this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $29,503 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $54,608. Set against $29,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.

22

Northern Michigan University landed the #22 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,604 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $54,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 47 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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