Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degree) at DePaul University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$70,654

Est. from IL median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$25,269

Est. from national median (7 programs)

Analysis

Drawing from comparable programs across Illinois, DePaul's clinical laboratory science degree appears positioned at the median for the state—with estimated first-year earnings around $70,654 and debt near $25,269. This debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 suggests graduates would owe roughly four months of their first-year salary, a manageable burden for a healthcare credential. Similar programs at DeVry and Northern Illinois report nearly identical earnings, while Illinois State comes in about $5,000 lower, indicating reasonable consistency across the state's lab science programs.

The challenge is uncertainty. Since DePaul's actual graduate outcomes aren't published due to small sample sizes, we're working from peer program data rather than this school's track record. What we do know is that clinical lab science nationally commands solid starting pay—DePaul's estimated figures exceed the national median of $64,930—and the field offers stable healthcare employment. The debt load, whether estimated or actual, stays well below the concerning threshold of 1.5 times first-year earnings.

If your child is committed to laboratory medicine and prefers DePaul's Chicago location, the financial fundamentals look sound based on how similar Illinois programs perform. The risk is that without school-specific data, you're betting DePaul's program delivers outcomes matching its peers—a reasonable but unverified assumption.

Where DePaul University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all clinical/medical laboratory science/research and allied professions bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (16 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
DePaul UniversityChicago	$44,460	$70,654*	—	$25,269*	—
DeVry University-IllinoisLisle	$17,488	$70,874*	$71,531	$57,500*	0.81
Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb	$12,700	$70,654*	$63,491	$23,750*	0.34
Illinois State UniversityNormal	$16,021	$65,629*	$57,984	$25,470*	0.39
National Median	—	$64,930*	—	$26,022*	0.40

* 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 DePaul University, approximately 31% 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 3 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.