2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in the Southwest 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for laboratory technician students.
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2026 Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in laboratory technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Laboratory Technician Schools
Leading the list is Central New Mexico Community College, our #1 best value for laboratory technician in the Southwest Region. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #2 place for laboratory technician. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $10,655. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Del Mar College earned it the #3 place for laboratory technician. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes St Philips College one of the best values for laboratory technician. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $45,185. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grayson College earned it the #5 place for laboratory technician. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $42,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College landed the #6 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $15,720. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College came in at #8 for value in laboratory technician this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $26,444 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $47,316 early in their careers. Set against $26,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District landed the #9 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $48,737 early in their careers. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College placed #10 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $48,172. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College came in at #11 for value in laboratory technician this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College placed #12 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $49,631. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Tyler Junior College earned the #13 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $14,869. Laboratory Technician graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
Weatherford College came in at #14 for value in laboratory technician this year. Located in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $10,860. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $17,977. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt.
Rose State College earned the #15 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,451 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Rose State College generally make around $55,099. Set against $13,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phoenix College landed the #16 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $20,068. Laboratory Technician graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $59,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,068 median debt.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Miami. Students from in state pay about $5,213 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,363. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $15,568. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College generally make around $48,934. That is a strong return on a $15,568 median debt.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University earned the #18 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,469 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,499. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $20,795 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $57,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Located in the town of Seminole, Seminole State College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,460, with out-of-state students paying around $11,790. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $10,162. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $26,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #20 for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $25,625 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $57,178. That is a strong return on a $25,625 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest University At El Paso placed #21 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the city of El Paso, Southwest University At El Paso is a mid-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,000. Students borrow a median of $26,496 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Southwest University At El Paso earn a median of $30,423 early in their careers. Set against $26,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarleton State University landed the #22 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $22,091. Laboratory Technician graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $60,501 early in their careers. Set against $22,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma Christian University placed #23 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the city of Edmond, Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,180. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $24,721. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Oklahoma Christian University generally make around $49,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
