Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Southern Wesleyan University
Bachelor's Degree
swu.eduAnalysis
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
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $27,870 | $64,930* | — | $25,269* | — | |
| $7,358 | $105,425* | — | $11,000* | 0.10 | |
| $22,106 | $101,516* | — | $31,000* | 0.31 | |
| $8,576 | $95,766* | $86,527 | $26,470* | 0.28 | |
| $10,560 | $92,286* | $87,185 | $17,538* | 0.19 | |
| $7,490 | $86,226* | $83,055 | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $64,930* | — | $26,022* | 0.40 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with clinical/medical laboratory science/research and allied professions graduates
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Surgical Technologists
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Phlebotomists
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Cytogenetic Technologists
Cytotechnologists
Histotechnologists
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Histology Technicians
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
Neurodiagnostic Technologists
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.