Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Albany State University

Albany State's laboratory science program shows promising first-year earnings of $50,815 against manageable debt of $15,179—a 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio that's notably better than the national average. However, the picture becomes more complex when you look at the Georgia landscape: while this program beats the national median, it sits at the 40th percentile among Georgia lab science programs, where the median graduate earns $52,478. Given Georgia's strong healthcare sector, your student would be entering a competitive state market where other programs show slightly stronger outcomes.

The debt situation is exceptional—among the lowest 5% of programs nationally and exactly matching the Georgia median. For families worried about borrowing, especially given that 65% of Albany State students receive Pell grants, this represents genuine affordability. The program delivers on keeping costs manageable while still providing access to a stable healthcare career field.

The critical caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift significantly year to year. Still, the fundamentals look sound—your student would graduate with reasonable debt into a field with steady demand. If Albany State offers the right fit in other ways (location, campus culture, support services), the financial picture shouldn't be a dealbreaker, though students willing to relocate within Georgia might find marginally stronger earning outcomes elsewhere.