Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga

The troubling earnings pattern here demands attention: graduates earn $46,592 in their first year, then see their income plummet 34% to just $30,691 by year four. This sharp decline is unusual for healthcare fields and raises serious questions, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) means this could reflect just a few individuals' circumstances rather than a program-wide issue.

Despite the concerning trajectory, there are some positives. Miller-Motte graduates start with relatively manageable debt—$29,028 ranks in the 13th percentile nationally for this field (meaning lower than 87% of comparable programs). Among Tennessee's 11 laboratory science programs, this one ranks at the 60th percentile for earnings, placing it slightly above the state median of $43,706. Still, that initial advantage evaporates quickly given the dramatic income decline.

For a family considering this $29,000 investment, the risk is clear: even if your student matches that first-year salary, there's no guarantee the earnings will hold. With 85% of students receiving Pell grants, this school primarily serves lower-income families who can least afford a program with unstable income outcomes. Before committing, investigate why earnings drop so steeply—whether it's graduates leaving the field, going part-time, or something else entirely. With Columbia State Community College producing median earnings above $48,000 as an alternative, the safer choice may be looking elsewhere.