2026 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools in the Southwest Region
[Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 101 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools.
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2026 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the clinical/medical laboratory science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools
For return on investment in clinical/medical laboratory science, no school beat Central New Mexico Community College this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Gateway Community College Central City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical/medical laboratory science, landing the #2 spot this year. Gateway Community College Central City is a small public school located in the city of Phoenix. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $15,037. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $45,781. Set against $15,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in clinical/medical laboratory science will find it at Clovis Community College, which ranked #3. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,592, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $11,082. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $44,390. That is a strong return on a $11,082 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in clinical/medical laboratory science will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for clinical/medical laboratory science. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus landed the #6 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College landed the #7 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College came in at #8 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $11,627. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $42,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College landed the #9 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
Austin Community College District earned the #10 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $14,519. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $48,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College came in at #11 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $15,720. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College landed the #12 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District earned the #13 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Tulsa Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $26,444 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $47,316 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #15 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $13,825. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $56,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,825 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Houston Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science 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 #17 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $11,290. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
Yavapai College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $52,087. That is a strong return on a $14,087 median debt.
Pontotoc Technology Center earned the #19 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Set in the rural area of Ada, Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public institution. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Pontotoc Technology Center earn a median of $44,846 early in their careers.
Meridian Technology Center ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Meridian Technology Center is a small public university. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $61,765.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #21 spot for clinical/medical laboratory science value this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $11,376. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $49,631. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Cochise College earned the #22 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates carry a median of $12,013 in student loans. Clinical/medical Laboratory Science graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt.
Mohave Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical/medical laboratory science schools. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Typical student debt for clinical/medical laboratory science graduates is $14,766. Early-career clinical/medical laboratory science graduates make about $54,785. Set against $14,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Medical Institute East Valley earned the #24 position for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Pima Medical Institute East Valley is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $3,167 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Pima Medical Institute East Valley generally make around $31,071. That is a strong return on a $3,167 median debt.
Tyler Junior College came in at #25 for value in clinical/medical laboratory science this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the clinical/medical laboratory science program here. Soon after graduation, clinical/medical laboratory science degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s clinical/medical laboratory science value ranking:
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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 · 101 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
