Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at University of Vermont

Laboratory science graduates from the University of Vermont enter the workforce earning nearly $65,000—right at the national median for this field—but with one major limitation: Vermont has only this single program, making state-level comparisons meaningless. The real story here is how this stacks up nationally and what the earnings trajectory suggests. With graduates moving from $64,930 to $68,552 over four years (just 6% growth), the program delivers steady but unspectacular career progression. The debt load of $26,299 translates to a manageable 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly five months' salary—well within sustainable territory for this healthcare field.

However, there's an important caveat: fewer than 30 students in the dataset means these numbers could shift significantly with a different cohort. The modest earnings growth is somewhat concerning for a healthcare profession, as many medical laboratory roles offer limited advancement without additional credentials or management positions. That said, the field itself provides stability and consistent demand, particularly in hospital and diagnostic lab settings where UVM's medical center connections likely help with placement.

For parents weighing this program, the fundamentals work: reasonable debt, immediate employability, and earnings that cover living expenses in Vermont's moderately priced markets outside Burlington. Just recognize you're getting entry-level healthcare stability rather than outsized earning potential, and the small program size means less networking reach than larger programs elsewhere.