by our College Data Analytics Team
[Laboratory Technician](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/laboratory-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for laboratory technician students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in laboratory technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in laboratory technician, no school beat Saint Louis Community College this year. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $11,424. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $38,999. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coffeyville Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in laboratory technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, compared with $4,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,838 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $45,342. That is a strong return on a $12,838 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in laboratory technician will find it at Seward County Community College And Area Technical School, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $9,175. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Seward County Community College And Area Technical School generally make around $53,375. Set against $9,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Community College Area earned it the #4 place for laboratory technician. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $19,067 in student loans. Laboratory Technician graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $46,884 early in their careers. Set against $19,067 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Hennepin Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $52,492. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt.
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Hawkeye Community College landed the #6 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $41,902. That is a strong return on a $17,001 median debt.
Bismarck State College placed #7 among the best values for laboratory technician. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $13,340. Soon after graduation, laboratory technician degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $61,364. Set against $13,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #8 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $47,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Manhattan Area Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value laboratory technician schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Manhattan Area Technical College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,844 in tuition and fees. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $15,499 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barton County Community College came in at #10 for value in laboratory technician this year. Barton County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Great Bend. In-state tuition and fees average $3,680, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Laboratory Technician graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $44,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #11 for value in laboratory technician this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Students borrow a median of $16,875 to complete the laboratory technician program here. Laboratory Technician graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,006 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Area Technical Institute earned the #12 position for value in laboratory technician this year. Set in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,718 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $13,674. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $47,512. That is a strong return on a $13,674 median debt.
Lake Superior College landed the #13 spot for laboratory technician value this year. Set in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785. Typical student debt for laboratory technician graduates is $17,156. Early-career laboratory technician graduates make about $42,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
