Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Dallas College
Associate's Degree
dallascollege.edu/pages/default.aspxAnalysis
Dallas College's medical laboratory science program estimates suggest graduates enter the field earning around $48,700—right in line with similar programs across Texas. With projected debt of roughly $19,700, that translates to a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. For context, comparable programs nationally typically burden students with $25,000 in debt, so if this estimate holds, Dallas College would be delivering similar outcomes at a lower cost.
The challenge here is that both figures come from peer programs rather than this school's actual track record. Texas has 19 schools offering this associate's degree, and first-year earnings cluster tightly between $48,000 and $51,000 at the top performers—suggesting this field offers fairly predictable compensation regardless of where you train. Dallas College's affordability advantage matters more when outcomes are this consistent across programs.
Medical laboratory science provides stable healthcare employment, and an associate's degree gets you working quickly. If the estimated debt figure proves accurate, you're looking at a degree that pays for itself within the first year of work. Just recognize you're making this decision without seeing how Dallas College's specific graduates have fared—the numbers work on paper based on how similar programs perform, but confirmation will only come from future cohorts.
Where Dallas College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all clinical/medical laboratory science/research and allied professions associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Texas (19 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,370 | $48,737* | — | $19,698* | — | |
| $7,878 | $51,327* | $57,425 | $21,125* | 0.41 | |
| $1,992 | $49,631* | $39,923 | —* | — | |
| $2,550 | $48,737* | $49,071 | —* | — | |
| $2,040 | $48,172* | $47,615 | $16,250* | 0.34 | |
| $16,000 | $30,423* | $26,536 | $26,496* | 0.87 | |
| National Median | — | $48,026* | — | $24,994* | 0.52 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with clinical/medical laboratory science/research and allied professions graduates
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Surgical Technologists
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Phlebotomists
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Cytogenetic Technologists
Cytotechnologists
Histotechnologists
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Histology Technicians
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
Neurodiagnostic Technologists
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 Dallas College, approximately 23% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 5 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.