Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Hocking College

Based on comparable medical lab programs in Ohio, this program suggests first-year earnings around $46,300 against estimated debt of $19,400—a ratio of 0.42 that's relatively manageable for an associate degree in healthcare. However, that earnings figure sits at the state median, meaning half of similar programs produce stronger outcomes. When you look at the top-performing programs in Ohio, like Cincinnati State ($59,300) and Lakeland Community College ($53,100), the difference is substantial—potentially $7,000 to $13,000 more annually right out of the gate.

The estimated debt here is notably lower than both the state median ($23,200) and national median ($25,000) for this field, which helps offset the middle-of-the-pack earnings. That said, with 46% of students receiving Pell grants, many families at Hocking are price-sensitive, and even $19,400 in loans matters when starting salaries don't reach the higher end of what's possible in Ohio.

The practical question: if your child can access one of the stronger-performing programs in the state, the earnings gap could be worth the effort. If Hocking's location or format makes it the only viable option, the debt-to-earnings picture isn't alarming, but you should verify the program's clinical placement network and job placement rates—factors that likely explain why some Ohio programs consistently outperform others by $10,000+ annually.