Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Del Mar College

A clinical lab science associate's degree typically launches graduates into steady medical work, but Del Mar's estimated numbers—drawn from five similar Texas programs—suggest middle-of-the-road outcomes. First-year earnings around $48,737 match the state median exactly, placing graduates in the thick of what community colleges across Texas deliver for this field. That's roughly $400 less than what Tarleton State grads earn and about $500 more than Houston Community College produces, suggesting Del Mar likely performs competitively within the state's community college tier.

The estimated $19,698 debt load works in this program's favor. If accurate, that's notably below both the Texas median ($21,125) and the national median ($24,994) for lab science associate's degrees. A 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would owe roughly five months of first-year salary—manageable for a healthcare credential that provides immediate employability. Lab technician roles in Corpus Christi's medical facilities could absorb these grads into stable work without crushing payment obligations.

The caveat matters here: with actual graduate outcomes suppressed due to small cohort size, you're betting on Del Mar mirroring what peer programs achieve rather than knowing what their specific graduates earn. For parents comfortable with that uncertainty, the estimated financial picture looks reasonable—assuming your student wants laboratory work and the debt estimate holds true. Request the school's job placement rates and confirm whether recent grads actually secured local lab positions before committing.