Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Brookline College-Tempe

Brookline College-Tempe's medical laboratory program raises red flags that parents need to consider carefully. Graduates start at $25,699—already below both Arizona's state median ($28,385) and the national median ($31,071)—but then earnings actually decline to $22,262 by year four. That 13% drop is the opposite trajectory you want to see from a career credential, especially when comparable programs at Pima Medical Institute locations show graduates earning $31,000 or more without this backward slide.

The debt load of $13,599 exceeds both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that looks manageable on paper at 0.53 but becomes problematic when you factor in those declining earnings. With 58% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on this certificate to improve their economic position, yet the earnings barely exceed what many entry-level positions pay without additional education debt.

The fundamental issue is value: other Arizona schools deliver better outcomes in the same field. If your child is set on laboratory work, programs at Pima's various locations show graduates earning 20-30% more right out of the gate, with debt levels that are similar or lower. This isn't about ruling out laboratory careers—it's about choosing a program where the investment actually pays off.