Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Ferris State University

Ferris State's lab science program starts strong at nearly $66,000 but shows an unusual earnings dip to $63,839 by year four—a pattern worth understanding before committing. Among Michigan's 14 lab science programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile, meaning it performs better than the state median but trails regional options like Wayne State ($70,611) and Saginaw Valley ($66,597). The starting salary is solid, but the backward slide suggests graduates may face regional job market constraints or limited advancement opportunities.

The financial fundamentals look reasonable: $29,503 in debt translates to a manageable 0.45 ratio against first-year earnings, well below concerning levels. Ferris lands in the 26th percentile for debt nationally, meaning roughly three-quarters of comparable programs saddle students with more borrowing. For a program at an 81% admission rate school serving middle-income families (34% Pell recipients), keeping debt below $30,000 matters.

The key question is whether the earnings decline continues or stabilizes after year four. If your child is considering Ferris over higher-earning Michigan alternatives, the $4,000-7,000 annual difference compounds significantly over a career. This program won't leave graduates struggling—lab scientists remain in demand—but it appears to offer middle-of-the-pack outcomes in a state with demonstrably stronger options at similar admission selectivity.