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

In New Jersey's strong healthcare labor market, medical laboratory science graduates from peer programs typically earn around $80,000 in their first year—well above the national median of $65,000 for this field. That puts Caldwell's program in competitive territory with Rutgers campuses across the state, where reported outcomes hit the same mark. For a bachelor's degree that leads directly to lab certification and immediate employment, this estimated earnings figure reflects New Jersey's robust demand for clinical laboratory professionals.

The estimated debt of about $25,000 creates a manageable 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly a third of their first-year salary. This falls below both the national median debt for this major ($26,000) and the New Jersey state median ($29,700), suggesting Caldwell may offer reasonable net costs for a program serving nearly half Pell-eligible students. Similar programs nationally show this credential can support debt repayment within standard timelines.

Because these figures derive from comparable programs rather than Caldwell's actual graduate outcomes, you're making an informed bet on alignment. The consistency across New Jersey's lab science programs—combined with national certification requirements that standardize training—suggests reasonable predictability. If your student is certain about entering clinical laboratory work and Caldwell's final net price aligns with this debt estimate, the numbers support the investment.