Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

UW-Stevens Point's medical laboratory science program produces graduates who earn less than typical peers—landing in just the 23rd percentile nationally despite having relatively low debt. The $59,690 starting salary trails the national median by about $5,000 and falls short of the $62,966 Wisconsin median, though it performs closer to the state middle (40th percentile) than the national comparison suggests.

The upside here is manageable debt. At $31,000, graduates borrow roughly in line with state norms and well below many comparable programs nationally. That 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio means students can reasonably pay down their loans, even with below-average starting salaries. Steady 6% earnings growth to $63,095 after four years shows reliable career progression, though graduates still lag behind what they'd likely earn from UW-La Crosse ($68,564).

For families weighing cost versus outcomes, this program won't saddle students with crushing debt, but it also won't position them at the top of their field earning-wise. If your child can access one of Wisconsin's stronger programs—particularly La Crosse—the earnings gap is significant enough to warrant serious consideration. If Stevens Point offers other advantages like location or financial aid, the debt burden is reasonable enough to make it workable, just understand they're trading some earning potential for accessibility.