Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

At first glance, UAMS delivers solid entry-level pay at $59,134, but the slight earnings dip to $57,744 by year four is unusual for a healthcare field that typically rewards experience. More concerning: while this program ranks in the 60th percentile within Arkansas, it falls to just the 21st percentile nationally—meaning graduates at most comparable programs across the country earn significantly more. The silver lining? Debt is exceptionally manageable at $19,999, creating a 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio that beats most programs in this field.

The numbers suggest UAMS trains competent lab professionals who find immediate work in Arkansas healthcare systems, but something—whether it's career progression limits, regional salary caps, or the types of lab positions graduates pursue—prevents the typical earnings growth seen elsewhere. For families planning to stay in Arkansas, this program offers reasonable regional outcomes with minimal debt burden. For students willing to relocate after graduation, the national salary gap (about $7,000 less than the median) represents real money left on the table.

The practical takeaway: if your child wants to work as a clinical lab scientist in Arkansas and values low debt above all else, UAMS delivers that specific combination. But if maximizing earning potential matters more, investigate why earnings stagnate here while peers at other programs see their salaries climb.