Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Saint Paul College

Saint Paul College's lab science program operates quietly in Minnesota's middle tier, performing better than most in-state competitors despite modest national rankings. Graduates earn $47,780—roughly $2,000 above the Minnesota median and placing this program in the 60th percentile statewide. That's meaningful in practical terms: you're outearning the typical Minnesota lab tech program while paying slightly less in debt ($22,375 versus the state's $24,955 median). The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 means graduates can realistically manage repayment on a single year's salary.

The caveat matters here: with fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset, one exceptional earner or one struggling graduate can skew these numbers significantly. That said, the program serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (40%), suggesting it's delivering middle-class outcomes for students who need them most. Lab science offers stable, recession-resistant work in healthcare settings throughout the Twin Cities metro area.

For families weighing community college options in Minnesota, this program delivers approximately what you'd expect—solid technical training leading to immediate employment at wages that justify the investment. It's not a standout compared to national lab tech programs, but it outperforms most local alternatives while keeping debt manageable.