2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 119 schools to find the best return on investment for laboratory technician students.
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2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in laboratory technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools
Coastal Pines Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $5,812. Laboratory Technician graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $39,090 early in their careers. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in laboratory technician will find it at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,104 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $58,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Wiregrass Georgia Technical College one of the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,452 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in laboratory technician will find it at West Georgia Technical College, which ranked #4. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College landed the #6 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #7 for value in laboratory technician this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College came in at #8 for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. 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.
Mississippi Delta Community College landed the #9 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540. Students borrow a median of $13,819 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Mississippi Delta Community College earn a median of $42,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hazard Community And Technical College came in at #10 for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $12,212. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Hazard Community And Technical College generally make around $32,626. Set against $12,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #11 for value in laboratory technician this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florence Darlington Technical College placed #12 among the best values for laboratory technician. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,636, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #13 for value in laboratory technician this year. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $11,000. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $28,964. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wytheville Community College came in at #14 for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $9,542 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $40,973. Set against $9,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College placed #15 among the best values for laboratory technician. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $16,131. Laboratory Technician graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hopkinsville Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Set in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $13,269 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $43,678. That is a strong return on a $13,269 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #17 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $61,237. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt.
North Georgia Technical College came in at #18 for value in laboratory technician this year. North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarkesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,330, compared with $5,898 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $12,279. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $34,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Somerset Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Somerset. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $13,722. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $35,340. Set against $13,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #20 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Tennessee Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,766, while out-of-state students pay about $17,750. Students borrow a median of $11,406 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $43,592. That is a strong return on a $11,406 median debt.
Columbia State Community College earned the #22 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,948, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. Students borrow a median of $12,674 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Columbia State Community College earn a median of $48,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
York Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, with out-of-state students paying around $13,340. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $10,907. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $37,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #24 for value in laboratory technician this year. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,016. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $11,693 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $39,765 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,693 median debt.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College placed #25 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,068 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $42,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,068 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s laboratory technician value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 119 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
