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

Winona State's clinical laboratory science program lands in the middle of Minnesota's competitive landscape, with first-year earnings of $65,883 trailing the state median of $71,868 by about $6,000. While the program's debt burden—estimated at $25,908 based on typical outcomes across Winona State's bachelor's programs—remains manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, graduates here are starting behind peers at Saint Cloud State ($74,147) and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ($73,403). That gap matters when you're comparing programs within the same state serving the same healthcare employers.

The 8% earnings growth to $70,813 by year four suggests steady career progression, though it doesn't close the gap with stronger programs in Minnesota. Clinical laboratory scientists typically find reliable employment given ongoing demand for medical diagnostics, but this program's outcomes place it at just the 40th percentile statewide. The debt itself isn't alarming—it's essentially in line with what similar programs carry nationally—but the earnings performance relative to other Minnesota options raises questions about whether this program offers the same return on investment as nearby alternatives.

If your child is set on Winona State for other reasons—location, campus fit, or specific faculty—the career fundamentals here are solid enough to justify the investment. But if maximizing earning potential in medical laboratory science is the priority, the data suggests looking closely at Saint Cloud State or the University of Minnesota system, where graduates consistently start $8,000 to $9,000 ahead annually.