Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Front Range Community College

Front Range Community College graduates with this lab science certificate start earning about $33,300—slightly above both the national and Colorado medians for the program. The debt load of just over $14,000 is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 that most graduates can handle. However, the concerning pattern here is what happens after that first year: earnings drop 11% by year four, falling to under $30,000. This backward trajectory suggests the certificate may function more as a stepping stone into entry-level positions than as a foundation for career growth in the field.

The state context matters here. While Front Range performs at the 60th percentile among Colorado's 14 programs offering this certificate, graduates are taking on nearly three times the state median debt ($14,063 vs. $5,500). Pima Medical Institute's programs place graduates at similar or slightly higher starting salaries, likely with different cost structures worth comparing.

For a parent, the key question is whether this certificate serves your child's specific career goals. If it's a quick credential to enter the workforce or a prerequisite for further education, the modest debt and decent starting salary make sense. But if you're expecting earnings growth and career advancement from the certificate alone, the declining earnings pattern should temper those expectations. This works best as part of a larger educational plan rather than as a terminal degree.