Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at St. Thomas Aquinas College

Medical laboratory science programs in New York command strong early salaries, with comparable programs across the state suggesting first-year earnings around $89,000—well above the national median of $65,000 for this field. At St. Thomas Aquinas, an estimated debt load of $25,000 translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28, meaning graduates from similar programs can realistically pay off their loans within a year or two of focused repayment.

What's harder to assess is where this program sits among New York competitors. While the state median aligns with what St. Thomas graduates might expect, top-performing programs like CUNY York College and Mercy University report first-year earnings exceeding $100,000. The gap between these leaders and the state median suggests program quality and clinical partnerships matter significantly in this field. Without specific outcomes data for St. Thomas Aquinas itself, you're making an educated bet based on statewide trends rather than proven track record.

The fundamentals look solid—medical lab science offers stable employment and respectable pay, and the estimated debt burden won't overwhelm those earnings. But if your child can access one of New York's higher-performing programs, particularly SUNY schools like Farmingdale State or Stony Brook that report strong outcomes at likely lower costs, that comparison deserves serious consideration before committing to St. Thomas Aquinas.