Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Rasmussen University-North Dakota

Lab science graduates from Rasmussen's North Dakota campus earn $43,637 in their first year—about $4,400 below the national median for associate-level lab programs. That 23rd percentile ranking nationally is concerning, though the program sits at the median among North Dakota's three schools offering this degree. With $27,535 in debt (slightly above the national median), graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63, meaning it would take about eight months of gross income to pay off their loans. That's actually better than many programs, particularly for a largely Pell-serving institution where 46% of students receive need-based aid.

The earnings trajectory shows moderate improvement—up to $48,300 by year four, an 11% gain that reaches the national median. This suggests the initial earning gap may narrow over time, though it's hard to know how sustainable this pattern is given the very small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked). The real question is whether families want to pay above-average debt for below-average starting salaries in a field where associate degrees typically provide more immediate earning power.

For families considering this program, the manageable debt load is a plus, but the below-average starting earnings mean your student would likely find stronger value at one of the state's other lab science programs. With only three options in North Dakota, it's worth comparing all of them directly before enrolling.