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

University of West Florida's medical lab science program starts strong—graduates earn $65,673 in their first year, placing them above Florida's median and roughly matching the national average. The $21,032 in typical debt is notably lower than what students face at most comparable programs nationwide. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly year to year, so treat them as a directional signal rather than a guarantee.

The concerning pattern here is the earnings trajectory: median income drops to $59,642 by year four, a 9% decline that's unusual for healthcare fields. This could reflect graduates moving into research or educational roles that pay less than clinical work, or it might simply be statistical noise from the tiny sample. Among Florida's eight programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile—solidly middle-of-the-pack but not exceptional.

For parents evaluating this program, the debt burden is manageable and the immediate job prospects look reasonable. But that earnings decline deserves a conversation with current students and recent alumni to understand what's driving it. If your student is committed to clinical laboratory work in Florida, this program won't break the bank, though larger programs like UCF might offer more stable outcome data to assess.