Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Lakeland Community College

Kirtland, OH · Public · Associate Degree · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

a compact campus enrolling 3,143 students in Kirtland, OH.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $53,080 put Lakeland Community College's Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research program 34% above the national median of $39,620 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

With a 71.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $53,080 far exceeding the $15,406 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #15 of 146 programs, this Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The 15 apprenticeship pathways connected to Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
67
Score
67
High End
Earnings $53,080/yr (34% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (79,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$53K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
71.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$7,744
Out-of-state: $18,470
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,406
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,659
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Surgical technologists
$62,830
+4.5% growth 93% AI-proof
Health technologists and technicians, all other
$48,790
+5.2% growth 48% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

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 Lakeland Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 67/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Lakeland Community College?
At 67/100, Lakeland Community College's Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How affordable is Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Lakeland Community College?
Median debt of just $15,406 against $53,080/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates?
Yes — 15 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research career paths, including Blocker & Cutter Contact Lens. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates?
With approximately 79,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →