Est. Earnings (1yr)
$64,930
Est. from national median (99 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,269
Est. from national median (7 programs)

Analysis

A bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science typically leads to stable healthcare careers, and Southern Wesleyan's estimated outcomes align closely with national patterns. Based on comparable programs nationwide, first-year earnings around $65,000 suggest graduates enter a field with solid demand—medical laboratory technologists are essential healthcare workers. The estimated debt load of roughly $25,000 translates to a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe less than 40% of their first year's salary. This is well below concerning thresholds and should allow for reasonable repayment on standard 10-year plans.

The challenge here is that both figures are estimates drawn from peer institutions, not Southern Wesleyan's actual graduate outcomes. The earnings estimate comes from nearly 100 similar programs nationally, while the debt figure reflects only seven comparable private nonprofit schools—a smaller reference group that may not fully capture this specific program's financial reality. South Carolina has just five schools offering this degree, and none report public data, making it harder to assess how Southern Wesleyan specifically performs within the state's healthcare employment landscape.

Given the field's healthcare focus and the reasonable debt-to-earnings picture suggested by peer programs, this looks like a practical investment if your student is committed to laboratory science. However, contact Southern Wesleyan directly about their actual job placement rates and typical starting salaries for their graduates—those specifics matter more than national averages when you're writing the tuition check.

Where Southern Wesleyan University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Southern Wesleyan UniversityCentral$27,870$64,930*—$25,269*—
CUNY York CollegeJamaica$7,358$105,425*—$11,000*0.10
Mercy UniversityDobbs Ferry$22,106$101,516*—$31,000*0.31
Farmingdale State CollegeFarmingdale$8,576$95,766*$86,527$26,470*0.28
Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook$10,560$92,286*$87,185$17,538*0.19
College of Staten Island CUNYStaten Island$7,490$86,226*$83,055—*—
National Median—$64,930*—$26,022*0.40
* 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 Southern Wesleyan University, approximately 29% 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 national median of 99 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.