Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College graduates this program with exceptionally low debt—just $9,785 compared to the national median of nearly $25,000. That's a massive advantage that puts this in the 95th percentile nationally for affordability. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 means graduates owe less than three months' salary, creating immediate financial breathing room that most lab science programs don't offer.

The earnings picture is more nuanced. At $44,560, first-year salaries trail the national median by about $3,500, landing this program at the 28th percentile nationally. However, within Mississippi's tighter healthcare job market, these same earnings place the program at the 60th percentile—solidly middle-of-the-pack for the state. For students planning to work in Mississippi, where cost of living runs lower than the national average, this combination of manageable debt and median-level local earnings makes practical sense.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with more data, but the debt advantage is real and substantial. For Mississippi families—particularly the 41% receiving Pell grants—this represents an accessible path into healthcare work without the debt burden that typically accompanies it. If your child plans to stay in-state and values keeping debt minimal, this program delivers on that core promise.