Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Averett University

Peer programs in Virginia suggest that medical laboratory science graduates typically earn around $64,000 in their first year—solidly in line with the national median for this field. With estimated debt of roughly $25,000, that translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. This is manageable territory for a healthcare credential that leads to licensed clinical work.

The challenge here is the uncertainty. When the Department of Education suppresses earnings data due to small graduate cohorts, it usually means the program isn't graduating many students. That could signal limited enrollment, which might affect networking opportunities and alumni connections, or it could simply reflect a newer program still building momentum. What we do know is that medical laboratory science is a stable healthcare field with consistent demand, and the estimated debt load isn't alarming for the income level these roles typically command.

For parents, the practical question is whether Averett provides the clinical training partnerships and lab experience that make graduates competitive for employment. Since we're working with estimates based on other Virginia programs—including larger state universities like VCU and Radford—you'll want to verify that Averett's specific clinical affiliations and pass rates for certification exams match what those established programs deliver. The financial picture looks reasonable if the program quality holds up.