by our College Data Analytics Team
[Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/) 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 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for clinical/medical laboratory science students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in clinical/medical laboratory science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Rich Mountain Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools in Arkansas. Rich Mountain Community College is a small public school located in the town of Mena. In-state tuition and fees average $3,696, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Rich Mountain Community College earn a median of $21,186 early in their careers.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arkansas Northeastern College earned it the #2 place for clinical/medical laboratory science. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public school located in the town of Blytheville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,570, with out-of-state students paying around $4,250. Students borrow a median of $7,944 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Arkansas Northeastern College generally make around $47,773. That is a strong return on a $7,944 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Black River Technical College earned it the #3 place for clinical/medical laboratory science. Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pocahontas. In-state tuition and fees average $4,776, compared with $7,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,420 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Black River Technical College generally make around $41,888. Set against $12,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arkansas State University Beebe earned it the #4 place for clinical/medical laboratory science. Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Beebe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $9,350. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Arkansas State University Beebe earn a median of $30,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,350 median debt.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $4,662. Students borrow a median of $9,265 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville earn a median of $64,187 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,265 median debt.
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Arkansas State University Newport earned the #6 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,752 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $10,925. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $44,500. Set against $10,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home landed the #7 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public school located in the town of Mountain Home. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,776. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $18,097 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Arkansas State University Mountain Home earn a median of $39,011 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,097 median debt.
North Arkansas College came in at #8 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,592. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $10,645. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $38,948. That is a strong return on a $10,645 median debt.
Southeast Arkansas College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Southeast Arkansas College is a small public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,200, compared with $8,650 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $12,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Southeast Arkansas College generally make around $30,715. That is a strong return on a $12,008 median debt.
National Park Community College landed the #10 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,600, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $14,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from National Park Community College generally make around $42,458. Set against $14,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #11 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $23,257 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $45,115 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $56,697. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #13 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,292, while out-of-state students pay about $14,857. Students borrow a median of $15,611 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $41,278. Set against $15,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harding University landed the #14 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $26,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $53,629. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
