Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at High Desert Medical College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$39,459

Est. from CA median (5 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$6,333

Est. from CA median (5 programs)

Analysis

A $6,300 debt burden for a credential that positions graduates around $39,500 in first-year earnings represents a manageable entry point into clinical lab work—though these figures come from comparable programs across California, not from High Desert's own graduates. The 0.16 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests students could theoretically pay off their loans in about two months of gross income, which is notably better than the national median debt of nearly $11,000 for similar certificates.

The estimated earnings align with California's state median for lab science certificates, placing this program in the middle of the pack among peer institutions. Stronger California programs push into the mid-$40,000s for first-year earnings, while weaker ones hover around $31,000. For a certificate program serving a predominantly working-class student body (55% receive Pell grants), staying at state median outcomes while keeping debt substantially below national norms could represent solid value—if these estimates hold true in practice.

The core question is whether High Desert can actually deliver outcomes matching these peer-program projections. With no reported data from the school's own graduates, prospective students are betting on whether this program performs like others in California's competitive lab science training landscape. The modest debt load limits downside risk, but families should verify completion rates and job placement support before committing, since certificate programs live or die on their industry connections.

Where High Desert Medical College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (38 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
High Desert Medical CollegeLancaster	$39,459*	—	$6,333*	—
Contra Costa Medical Career CollegeAntioch	$44,990*	—	$6,333*	0.14
Glendale Career CollegeGlendale	$40,382*	$37,319	$8,971*	0.22
Premiere Career CollegeIrwindale	$39,459*	$33,482	$6,286*	0.16
MTI CollegeSacramento	$36,215*	$40,713	$8,569*	0.24
Pima Medical Institute-San MarcosSan Marcos	$31,071*	$33,711	$3,167*	0.10
National Median	$31,071*	—	$10,866*	0.35

* 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 High Desert Medical College, approximately 55% 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 5 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.