Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at Weber State University

Weber State's lab science associate degree shows an unusual earnings trajectory that tilts the value equation strongly positive. While first-year earnings of $51,220 sit slightly above the national median, the real story emerges by year four: graduates see their pay jump 31% to nearly $67,000. That's substantially better growth than most associate programs deliver, suggesting graduates either advance quickly within hospital labs or leverage their credentials for specialized positions.

The debt picture reinforces this program's appeal. At roughly $24,600, graduates owe less than half their first-year salary—a comfortable ratio that becomes even more manageable as earnings climb. Among Utah's limited lab science options (only two schools offer this program statewide), Weber State matches the state median on both earnings and debt, essentially representing the baseline option for in-state students interested in this field.

The 60th percentile ranking within Utah and 62nd nationally indicates this is a solidly middle-of-the-pack program, but the strong earnings growth suggests graduates develop marketable skills that employers value. For families weighing a two-year healthcare credential, this program offers relatively quick entry into decent-paying work with meaningful upward mobility—particularly attractive compared to bachelor's degrees that require double the time and often triple the debt.