Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College

Based on comparable lab science programs across Ohio, this associate's degree appears positioned to deliver solid healthcare sector value—estimated first-year earnings around $46,300 against roughly $19,400 in debt. That 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, with debt equivalent to about five months of first-year income.

The figures here come from peer programs since this specific cohort was too small for the Department of Education to report, but Ohio's lab science programs show encouraging patterns. Still, it's worth noting the range: Cincinnati State's lab tech graduates earn $59,300—nearly $13,000 more than the state median this program tracks with. That gap matters when you're comparing options within the same metro area. The lower debt estimate here ($4,000 below Ohio's median for these programs) helps offset the earnings difference somewhat, but not entirely.

For families watching budgets carefully, this presents a practical healthcare pathway without the debt burden of a four-year program. The field offers stable employment, and an associate's degree gets your student working faster. Just recognize you're looking at typical outcomes for Ohio lab science programs, not verified results from UC-Blue Ash specifically. If your student is comparing local options, ask admissions about actual graduate outcomes and whether students transfer to complete bachelor's degrees—that pathway might explain both the lower debt and the earnings positioning relative to schools like Cincinnati State.