Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Associate's Degree) at Milwaukee Area Technical College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$51,111

Est. from WI median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$26,000

Est. from WI median (3 programs)

Analysis

When data for individual programs is limited, context becomes crucial—and the Wisconsin market for clinical lab technicians offers that. Similar associate degree programs in the state suggest first-year earnings around $51,000 against debt near $26,000, putting graduates in a manageable 0.51 debt-to-earnings position. That ratio means paying off loans in roughly six months of gross income, which is reasonable for a two-year technical credential.

What's particularly telling is that these estimates align closely with national medians for this field, and Wisconsin's robust technical college system produces lab professionals across the state with fairly consistent outcomes. The top-performing programs here show earnings ranging from $43,000 to $56,000, suggesting Milwaukee Area Technical College likely fits within this established pattern. For a healthcare credential that typically leads to stable employment in hospitals and diagnostic labs, these peer program outcomes indicate solid workforce preparation without excessive debt burden.

The practical takeaway: if your child is drawn to laboratory work and wants to enter healthcare quickly, this two-year pathway appears to offer what technical education should—relatively fast entry to steady employment at wages that justify the investment. Just understand you're making this decision based on how comparable Wisconsin programs perform, not on tracked outcomes specific to Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates.

Where Milwaukee Area Technical College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (13 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeMilwaukee	$5,017	$51,111*	—	$26,000*	—
Southwest Wisconsin Technical CollegeFennimore	$4,796	$56,241*	—	$19,698*	0.35
Madison Area Technical CollegeMadison	$4,780	$54,717*	—	$26,000*	0.48
Chippewa Valley Technical CollegeEau Claire	$4,724	$47,505*	$48,621	$27,066*	0.57
Rasmussen University-WisconsinGreen Bay	$11,982	$43,637*	$48,300	$27,535*	0.63
National Median	—	$48,026*	—	$24,994*	0.52

* 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 Milwaukee Area Technical College, approximately 41% 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 4 similar programs in WI. Actual outcomes may vary.