Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Blue Cliff College-Lafayette
a smaller institution with 217 students in Lafayette, LA.
Program Analysis
Blue Cliff College-Lafayette's Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates start at $18,674/yr, trailing the $39,620 national average by 53%. The program's value hinges on affordability.
Some AI exposure exists in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 37% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $13,910 represents roughly 9 months of the $18,674 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.
Ranked #142 of 146 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research programs, Blue Cliff College-Lafayette falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $28,278 show a 51% jump from the $18,674 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research offers 15 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health specialties teachers, postsecondary | $105,620 | +17.3% | 52% |
| Surgical technologists | $62,830 | +4.5% | 93% |
| Health technologists and technicians, all other | $48,790 | +5.2% | 48% |
About Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research Careers
You’ll likely start your career in a direct patient-care role like a phlebotomist. You’ll spend your days in a clinic or hospital, using needles and vacutainers to draw blood, calming nervous patients, and meticulously labeling samples that doctors rely on for life-saving diagnoses. From there, you can advance into a more specialized technologist role. This could mean operating complex diagnostic analyzers in a lab or becoming a surgical technologist, where you’ll prepare operating rooms and pass critical instruments to surgeons during procedures.
Read the full Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research career guide →
Compare & Explore
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research Overview
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Other Schools
Other Majors at Blue Cliff College-Lafayette
Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree
Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.