Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at American National University

Among Virginia's 20 clinical lab programs, American National University ranks in just the 10th percentile for graduate earnings—only one program in the state produces worse outcomes. At $21,951 first-year earnings, graduates earn 31% less than Virginia's median for this credential and a full $15,000 below what nearby Virginia Western Community College delivers. Nationally, this program ranks in the 14th percentile, trailing the vast majority of comparable certificates.

The economics are particularly troubling when you consider the student population: 71% receive Pell grants, suggesting these are students who can least afford a credential that underperforms. While the $13,043 debt load isn't extreme in absolute terms, it represents over half of first-year earnings—a burden that becomes more significant when those earnings are already $10,000 below what this credential typically commands. State community colleges are producing dramatically better results for likely lower tuition costs.

For families considering this program, the comparison to in-state alternatives is stark. Virginia Western and Tidewater Community College both produce graduates earning 40-70% more with similar or lower debt. Unless there are compelling logistical reasons to choose American National University—and the sample size here is robust enough to trust these patterns—your child would be better served exploring Virginia's community college options for clinical lab training.