Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Fortis College-Cuyahoga Falls

At $27,535 in estimated debt—about $4,300 above the Ohio median for lab science programs—this associate's degree would be manageable if the earnings trajectory made sense. But here's the problem: first-year earnings estimated at $46,335 based on comparable Ohio programs actually drop to $38,197 by year four. That backward slide is unusual for healthcare credentials and suggests graduates may be struggling to advance or retain positions in their field. With three-quarters of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are banking on upward mobility that these numbers don't support.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 looks reasonable on paper, but it's calculated against that higher first-year estimate. The actual reported four-year earnings tell a different story—one where graduates are earning roughly $8,000 less than their peers at community colleges like Lakeland ($53,080) or Cincinnati State ($59,337). Even Clark State and Sinclair, both public institutions, show stronger outcomes. For a field where technical skills should command consistent demand, the earnings decline warrants serious questions about job placement support and whether this program connects graduates to stable positions.

Before committing, find out why earnings drop rather than rise, and compare the total cost here against nearby community college alternatives that appear to deliver better results in the same credential.