Est. Earnings (1yr)
$48,737
Est. from TX median (5 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$19,698
Est. from national median (27 programs)

Analysis

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)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Dallas CollegeDallas$2,370$48,737*—$19,698*—
Tarleton State UniversityStephenville$7,878$51,327*$57,425$21,125*0.41
San Jacinto Community CollegePasadena$1,992$49,631*$39,923—*—
Austin Community College DistrictAustin$2,550$48,737*$49,071—*—
Houston Community CollegeHouston$2,040$48,172*$47,615$16,250*0.34
Southwest University at El PasoEl Paso$16,000$30,423*$26,536$26,496*0.87
National Median—$48,026*—$24,994*0.52
* Estimated from similar programs

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 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.