Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at University of Minnesota-Crookston

Based on comparable programs across Minnesota, lab science graduates typically earn around $72,000 in their first year—a figure that positions this field solidly in healthcare's reliable middle tier. The estimated $25,900 in debt produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, meaning graduates would theoretically owe about a third of their first-year salary. That's a manageable burden for a profession with steady demand, though it's worth noting this sits right at the national median for both debt and earnings in the field.

Minnesota's lab science programs cluster tightly in outcomes, with the state's top performers at Saint Cloud State and the Twin Cities campus earning just slightly more—around $73,000-74,000. The estimated figures for Crookston fall right in line with this state pattern, suggesting the program should deliver similar value. However, since these are estimates derived from peer institutions rather than tracked outcomes from Crookston's own graduates, there's inherent uncertainty about whether this specific program matches its in-state competitors.

For parents, the practical question is whether a Crookston education in lab science justifies the investment when nearby programs at Saint Cloud or Winona State have documented track records at similar debt levels. The field itself offers stable employment and reasonable pay, but with limited data specific to this campus, you're betting on Crookston delivering outcomes consistent with Minnesota's other public universities. If your student values the smaller campus environment and you're comfortable with that uncertainty, the estimated numbers suggest a sound healthcare degree.