Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at The Catholic University of America

The Catholic University of America's medical laboratory science program appears positioned in the middle of the pack based on what peer programs typically produce. With estimated first-year earnings around $65,000—derived from the national median for this field—and debt near $25,000, graduates would face monthly loan payments of roughly $280 on a standard plan, or about 5% of their gross income. That's a manageable burden that shouldn't dominate a young professional's budget. Similar programs in DC, including George Washington University with reported outcomes of $67,000, suggest this field offers solid entry-level compensation in the region's healthcare market.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 tells the practical story: comparable programs produce outcomes where graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. Medical laboratory scientists work in hospitals, research facilities, and diagnostic labs—settings where structured pay scales and steady employment are the norm. The challenge here is the limited sample size, which means we can't see how Catholic University's specific clinical partnerships, lab facilities, or certification pass rates translate into graduate outcomes. With only three DC schools offering this program and sparse reported data, you're essentially betting that this program performs at least as well as its national peers. If your child is committed to laboratory medicine and values Catholic University's environment, the estimated financial picture doesn't wave red flags—but verifying the program's clinical training sites and ASCP certification rates would help confirm whether this particular program delivers on the field's promise.