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

West Virginia University's medical laboratory science program shows graduates earning slightly above the state median for this field, ranking in the 60th percentile among West Virginia programs—beating Marshall's $60,610 by nearly $3,000 in first-year earnings. However, the earnings trajectory deserves careful attention: graduates see their median salary slip from $63,522 to $61,350 over four years, a modest decline that could reflect career path choices, geographic mobility, or market conditions in West Virginia's healthcare sector.

The debt load of $26,050 translates to a manageable 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly five months of their first-year salary. This positions graduates well for financial stability early in their careers. While the program performs slightly below the national median ($64,930), it's competitive within West Virginia's healthcare job market, where lab science salaries tend to run somewhat lower than national figures.

For families focused on staying in West Virginia, this program offers solid preparation for a stable healthcare career with reasonable debt. The slight earnings dip over time isn't alarming given the manageable initial debt, but families should verify whether graduates are finding the advancement opportunities they'll want long-term. If your child plans to pursue specialized certifications or move to higher-paying markets after graduation, starting here could work well.