2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in Tennessee
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong laboratory technician education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value laboratory technician schools.
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2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in laboratory technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools
Columbia State Community College earned the #1 spot for value among laboratory technician schools in Tennessee. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,772 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $12,674 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Columbia State Community College generally make around $48,168. Set against $12,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Tennessee Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in laboratory technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,766, with out-of-state students paying around $17,750. 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.
Northeast State Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Set in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,782, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $6,404 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $39,673. Set against $6,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Volunteer State Community College earned it the #4 place for laboratory technician. Located in the suburb of Gallatin, Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,756, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $12,462 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $40,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in laboratory technician will find it at South College, which ranked #5. South College is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,535. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $24,487. Laboratory Technician graduates of South College earn a median of $30,446 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fortis Institute Nashville earned the #6 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Fortis Institute Nashville is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,627 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $35,304. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Fortis Institute Nashville generally make around $40,819. Set against $35,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
