Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville

Hanceville, AL · Public · Associate Degree · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

a compact campus enrolling 4,413 students in Hanceville, AL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $42,590 at George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville come in 7% above the national median of $39,620 for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research programs.

With a 47.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $42,590 far exceeding the $10,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #52 ranking among 146 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research programs places George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $42,590 to $46,447 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

The 15 apprenticeship pathways connected to Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
58
Score
58
High End
Earnings $42,590/yr (7% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (79,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$470K
2.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
47.2x
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)
$9,960
Out-of-state: $17,580
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,750
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,447
9% growth from Year 1

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 George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville?
A score of 58/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research field.
What's the typical debt for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates from George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville?
Median debt of just $10,750 against $42,590/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Are there apprenticeship options for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research?
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research connects to 15 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research workers?
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 →