Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

UMass Dartmouth graduates in clinical laboratory science start strong with $74,097 in first-year earnings—well above the national median of $64,930 and ranking in the 85th percentile nationally. This puts them on par with the state median for Massachusetts. However, something unusual happens by year four: earnings drop to $65,627, an 11% decline that's worth understanding. This pattern could reflect graduates moving into research positions, shifting to part-time work, or pursuing additional credentials. The starting salary suggests the technical training is solid, but the earnings trajectory differs from typical healthcare programs where pay tends to climb steadily.

The debt picture is manageable at $29,898—below both national and state medians for this field—resulting in a 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio that makes the loans serviceable even with the earnings dip. With a 92% admission rate and 36% of students on Pell grants, UMass Dartmouth provides accessible entry into a healthcare field that typically offers stable employment. The moderate sample size adds some uncertainty to the earnings trend.

For parents, this program offers a financially sound path into medical laboratory work with reasonable debt, but have an honest conversation about career goals. If your student plans to move into specialized clinical roles or hospital lab management, the strong starting salary provides a foundation. If research or graduate school is the plan, that could explain—and justify—the temporary earnings dip.