Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Bristol Community College

The earnings gap here tells an important story: while similar clinical lab science programs in Massachusetts typically see starting salaries around $61,000, peer programs nationally suggest graduates of Bristol's program might earn closer to $48,000 their first year. That's a $13,000 difference—and in a field where outcomes should be relatively standardized across states given licensing requirements, it's worth understanding why. The two other Massachusetts community colleges with reported data both produce graduates earning substantially more, with Springfield Technical at $66,000 and Middlesex at $56,000.

The estimated debt load of around $20,000 isn't crushing by itself—based on comparable programs, that's actually below the national typical for this credential. But paired with the lower estimated earnings, you're looking at roughly five months of gross income to cover the debt, versus three months if your child landed at the Massachusetts median. For a family where 43% of students need Pell grants, that gap matters practically: it's the difference between paying off loans quickly versus carrying them for years while trying to establish financial independence.

Before committing, you need to understand what's driving that earnings shortfall. Is Bristol's program placing graduates in lower-paying roles, or are they simply staying in the Fall River area where wages run lower? The actual outcomes for this specific program remain unknown due to small class sizes, so connect with recent graduates directly and verify where they're working now.