Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Saint Leo University

Starting at around $62,000 annually, this laboratory science program appears positioned right at Florida's median for the field, though it's worth noting these figures come from just three comparable programs in the state. The estimated debt load of $25,000 translates to a 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates would owe roughly five months of their first-year salary, which falls into reasonable territory for a healthcare credential that leads to steady employment.

What makes this estimation more reliable is that laboratory science salaries tend to be relatively consistent across institutions, driven more by healthcare facility pay scales than by which school you attended. The state's top performers range from $58,000 to $66,000, a narrow band suggesting the field doesn't reward prestige as much as it rewards licensure and competency. Saint Leo's estimated position within that range doesn't raise red flags, particularly since the debt figure is only slightly above the state median of $21,000.

The practical consideration here: clinical laboratory scientists generally find work without difficulty in Florida's robust healthcare market, but you're banking on estimates rather than this specific program's track record. If your student is set on this career path and Saint Leo offers other advantages—location, class size, clinical placement partnerships—the financial projection seems workable. Just recognize you're making that decision with less certainty than you'd have at schools with published outcomes.