Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Associate's Degree) at Atlantic Cape Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$48,026

Est. from national median (62 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$19,698

Est. from national median (27 programs)

Analysis

A debt load near $20,000 for an associate degree in medical lab science—estimated from similar community college programs—positions graduates in workable financial territory, especially since comparable programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $48,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 means graduates would owe roughly 5 months of their first year's salary, a manageable burden for an entry-level healthcare position.

The healthcare lab field offers something many associate degree paths don't: clear career progression and stable demand. Medical lab technicians are essential to hospital and clinic operations, and the technical certification this program provides opens doors to steady employment. With half of Atlantic Cape's students receiving Pell grants, the relatively modest debt estimate becomes even more important—these aren't families with safety nets to absorb education costs that don't pay off.

The catch is that both figures here are estimates, drawn from peer programs rather than actual Atlantic Cape graduate outcomes. The school's program may be too new or too small for the Department of Education to report specific data. For an anxious parent, that means you're betting on Atlantic Cape delivering results similar to the national median—a reasonable assumption for a straightforward technical program with professional certification requirements, but not a guarantee. The fundamentals look sound: manageable debt for a credential with clear job market value.

Where Atlantic Cape Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all clinical/medical laboratory science/research and allied professions associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions associates's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Atlantic Cape Community CollegeMays Landing	$4,863	$48,026*	—	$19,698*	—
Community College of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia	$4,632	$74,011*	—	—*	—
Springfield Technical Community CollegeSpringfield	$5,520	$66,182*	—	—*	—
Arapahoe Community CollegeLittleton	$4,308	$63,746*	—	$27,845*	0.44
Phoenix CollegePhoenix	$2,358	$59,829*	$66,221	$20,068*	0.34
Miami Dade CollegeMiami	$2,838	$59,566*	—	$17,537*	0.29
National Median	—	$48,026*	—	$24,994*	0.52

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with clinical/medical laboratory science/research and allied professions graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders, centerer-edgers, and lens mounters.

$45,820/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Phlebotomists

Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.

$43,660/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.

Cytogenetic Technologists

Analyze chromosomes or chromosome segments found in biological specimens, such as amniotic fluids, bone marrow, solid tumors, and blood to aid in the study, diagnosis, classification, or treatment of inherited or acquired genetic diseases. Conduct analyses through classical cytogenetic, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) or array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) techniques.

Cytotechnologists

Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices.

Histotechnologists

Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Process and prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies.

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Atlantic Cape Community College, approximately 50% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 62 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.