Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Bucks County Community College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$14,968

5th percentile

10th percentile in Pennsylvania

Median Debt

$5,271

51% below national median

Analysis

Something appears fundamentally broken with this program. Graduates earn just $14,968 one year after completing their certificate—less than what minimum wage workers make in Pennsylvania. That's barely half the state median for this field ($27,151) and puts Bucks County Community College in the bottom 10th percentile statewide. Even Community College of Allegheny County, offering the same credential, produces graduates earning nearly twice as much.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could be statistical noise, but they're alarming enough to demand explanation before enrolling. Are most graduates working part-time? Are they continuing their education rather than entering the workforce? Is the certificate insufficient for most lab positions in Pennsylvania? The relatively low debt ($5,271) limits the financial damage, but that's cold comfort when the credential isn't translating to meaningful employment.

If your child is interested in medical laboratory science, look at Community College of Allegheny County's program or consider whether a full associate degree might be necessary for viable employment in this field. Don't assume all community college lab programs are equivalent—the $14,000 earnings gap between Bucks County and Allegheny County suggests they're not. At minimum, contact Bucks County's program directly and ask pointed questions about employment outcomes and whether most graduates immediately enter the workforce.

Where Bucks County Community College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Bucks County Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions certificate's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (16 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Bucks County Community CollegeNewtown	$5,021	$14,968	—	$5,271	0.35
Saint Joseph's University - LancasterLancaster	$31,866	$68,940	—	—	—
Community College of Allegheny CountyPittsburgh	$4,842	$28,701	$31,796	$9,435	0.33
Institute of Medical CareersPittsburgh	—	$27,151	$28,511	$15,637	0.58
Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute-AllentownAllentown	—	$25,821	$25,110	$14,562	0.56
National Median	—	$31,071	—	$10,866	0.35

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 Bucks County Community College, approximately 22% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 18 graduates with reported earnings and 20 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.