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

Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga's lab science certificate graduates earn about $25,800 in their first year—roughly $6,000 less than Tennessee's median for this credential and about 35% below what graduates from Nashville State earn with the same certificate. More troubling, earnings don't improve over time; they actually slip slightly to $25,110 by year four. Among Tennessee's ten lab science certificate programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile for earnings outcomes.

The program does limit debt to $14,562, which is manageable relative to starting pay (a 0.56 ratio), and this modest borrowing amount ranks well nationally. For the predominantly Pell-eligible student body (85%), that's a meaningful advantage—nobody here is taking on crushing debt. However, when certification programs at other Tennessee schools consistently produce graduates earning $6,000-12,000 more annually, the lower debt only partially offsets the significant earnings gap.

For families considering this certificate, the core issue isn't affordability—it's return on investment. Your child could complete a similar program elsewhere in Tennessee and likely earn 25-50% more in the same labor market. Given that lab technician credentials are fairly standardized and employers care mainly about certification, this earnings gap suggests the program isn't positioning graduates for the same opportunities other Tennessee schools provide.