Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Madison Area Technical College

Madison, WI · Public · Associate Degree · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

with a mid-sized student body of 9,273 in Madison, WI.

Program Analysis

Madison Area Technical College Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates command $54,717/yr out of the gate, well above the $39,620 national median. That 38% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 59.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,462 in median debt clears fast against $54,717 in annual earnings.

Madison Area Technical College ranks #21 among 146 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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.

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
63
Low End
65
Score
65
High End
Earnings $54,717/yr (38% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (79,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$572K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
59.9x
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)
$9,560
Out-of-state: $14,054
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,462
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings

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 Madison Area Technical College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Madison Area Technical College's Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research program score?
At 65/100, Madison Area Technical College's Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How affordable is Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Madison Area Technical College?
At $14,462 in median debt, Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates from Madison Area Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What makes Madison Area Technical College's Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research program stand out?
The #21 ranking out of 146 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research through an apprenticeship instead?
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?
With approximately 79,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →