Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Texas State University

Texas State's clinical laboratory science program posts solid numbers—$67,589 in first-year earnings against moderate debt of $22,872—but the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly year to year. That said, the program outpaces both the Texas median ($61,917) and national median ($64,930), landing in the 60th percentile statewide. The 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates can realistically manage their loans while building careers in hospital labs, research facilities, or diagnostic centers.

The tradeoff here is straightforward: decent earnings with a 60th percentile performance in Texas means your child would do better than most in-state peers, though not as well as graduates from programs like DeVry Texas or Tarleton State. The debt sits slightly below state and national averages, which matters for a healthcare field where steady employment is typical but dramatic salary growth is less common than in some other STEM careers.

For parents evaluating Texas State's accessible admission standards (89% acceptance rate) alongside workforce-ready outcomes, this program offers reasonable value—graduates enter a stable profession earning above-average salaries without crushing debt. Just recognize that with such a small cohort, next year's numbers might tell a different story.