Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at College of Staten Island CUNY

This associate's degree appears to land graduates below where medical lab programs typically perform in New York. While comparable programs across the state suggest median earnings around $53,886, this program's estimated first-year figure of $48,026 trails by roughly $6,000—a meaningful gap in a field where technical credentials usually command consistent salaries. The estimated debt of $19,698 is notably lighter than New York's typical $30,139, which helps offset the lower earnings trajectory, but the pattern still raises questions about whether graduates are accessing the same career pathways as peers from other programs.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 technically looks manageable on paper, especially compared to many associate degree programs. But context matters: medical laboratory work generally offers stable, above-average pay for a two-year credential, and falling short of state benchmarks suggests graduates might be settling for positions below their credential level or facing placement challenges. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, the $19,698 debt burden could still feel substantial for families who need this degree to deliver immediate economic returns.

For parents weighing this program, the conservative move is acknowledging you're working with estimated figures derived from peer programs—not actual outcomes from College of Staten Island graduates. If your child is set on this field and values CUNY's affordability, explore why earnings might lag: Does the program connect students to hospital systems and commercial labs that hire at competitive rates? The debt looks reasonable, but only if the career placement justifies the investment.