Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degree) at University of South Florida

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$62,453

Est. from FL median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$25,908

Est. from national median (71 programs)

Analysis

The $26,000 in estimated debt here looks manageable against what similar Florida medical lab science programs suggest graduates can earn—around $62,000 in the first year. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41, borrowers would owe roughly 40 cents for every dollar earned, well within the conventional "manageable" threshold. The debt estimate comes from comparable bachelor's programs nationally at similar institutions, while the earnings figure reflects the median outcome across three Florida schools offering this degree.

What's harder to pin down is where exactly USF lands within Florida's range. Peer programs in the state show first-year earnings from $58,000 to nearly $66,000, with University of West Florida graduates starting about $3,000 higher. Medical laboratory science is a licensed, technical field with relatively consistent job prospects, but location matters—Tampa's healthcare market and starting salaries for lab technicians could differ meaningfully from other Florida cities. The estimated figures here position this as a middle-of-the-pack outcome, though without actual USF-specific data, you're working with educated guesses rather than verified results.

Given the strong national employment outlook for clinical lab scientists and the reasonable debt load, this appears defensible as a career-focused degree. Just understand you're betting on USF performing roughly like its Florida peers, not on documented outcomes from this particular program.

Where University of South Florida Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all clinical/medical laboratory science/research and allied professions bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (8 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of South FloridaTampa	$6,410	$62,453*	—	$25,908*	—
University of West FloridaPensacola	$6,360	$65,673*	$59,642	$21,032*	0.32
University of Central FloridaOrlando	$6,368	$62,453*	—	$21,405*	0.34
Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFort Myers	$6,118	$58,048*	—	—*	—
National Median	—	$64,930*	—	$26,022*	0.40

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with clinical/medical laboratory science/research and allied professions graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders, centerer-edgers, and lens mounters.

$45,820/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Phlebotomists

Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.

$43,660/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.

Cytogenetic Technologists

Analyze chromosomes or chromosome segments found in biological specimens, such as amniotic fluids, bone marrow, solid tumors, and blood to aid in the study, diagnosis, classification, or treatment of inherited or acquired genetic diseases. Conduct analyses through classical cytogenetic, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) or array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) techniques.

Cytotechnologists

Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices.

Histotechnologists

Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Process and prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies.

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of South Florida, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in FL. Actual outcomes may vary.