Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College

Chicago, IL · Public · Certificate · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

with a mid-sized student body of 5,847 in Chicago, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,947 place City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College below the $39,620 national median for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 64.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #78 of 146 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research programs, City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research offers 15 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
52
Score
52
High End
Earnings $26,947/yr (-32% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (79,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$282K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
64.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,380
Out-of-state: $14,430

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Surgical technologists $62,830 +4.5% 93%
Health technologists and technicians, all other $48,790 +5.2% 48%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Surgical technologists
$62,830
+4.5% growth 93% AI-proof
Health technologists and technicians, all other
$48,790
+5.2% growth 48% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

About Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research Careers

You’ll likely start your career in a direct patient-care role like a phlebotomist. You’ll spend your days in a clinic or hospital, using needles and vacutainers to draw blood, calming nervous patients, and meticulously labeling samples that doctors rely on for life-saving diagnoses. From there, you can advance into a more specialized technologist role. This could mean operating complex diagnostic analyzers in a lab or becoming a surgical technologist, where you’ll prepare operating rooms and pass critical instruments to surgeons during procedures.

Read the full Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research career guide →

Compare & Explore

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research Overview

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Other Schools

Other Majors at City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College's Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research program score?
At 52/100, the score looks reasonable — but Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Why are Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research earnings lower at City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College?
Starting salary is one data point. If City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research?
Yes — 15 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research career paths, including Blocker & Cutter Contact Lens. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates?
The career paths mapped to Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research have roughly 79,700 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →