Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at University of Virginia's College at Wise

Laboratory science programs in Virginia cluster tightly around $64,000 in first-year earnings, and UVA-Wise appears positioned right in that range based on comparable programs statewide. With estimated debt of roughly $26,000—essentially matching both state and national medians for this field—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 suggests graduates could reasonably manage loan payments while building their careers. The healthcare lab sector offers relatively stable employment, which matters when you're carrying debt into your first job.

The uncertainty here is real: these figures come from other Virginia programs, not UVA-Wise's own graduates. The college's 94% admission rate and relatively accessible student body (33% receiving Pell grants) might mean different employment outcomes than programs at Virginia Commonwealth or other state universities. Laboratory science credentials tend to translate into jobs more directly than many bachelor's degrees, but there's meaningful variation even among Virginia's nine programs—from Old Dominion's $60,601 to VCU's $67,072.

For parents, the question is whether an estimated $26,000 in debt makes sense when you can't verify what this specific program's graduates actually earn. The field itself shows consistent outcomes nationally, which provides some comfort. But if your student has offers from programs with reported data—particularly those showing stronger earnings—those known quantities might justify closer comparison.