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Clinical Laboratory Science at Northwest State Community College

Archbold, OH · Public · Certificate · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 1,037 in Archbold, OH.

Program Analysis

Northwest State Community College's Clinical Laboratory Science graduates start at $27,702/yr, trailing the $39,620 national average by 30%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 68.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Clinical Laboratory Science career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $7,000 in median debt clears fast against $27,702 in annual earnings.

A #75 ranking among 146 Clinical Laboratory Science programs places Northwest State Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $27,702 to $30,894 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
53
Score
54
High End
Earnings $27,702/yr (-30% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (79,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$314K
2.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
68.6x
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)
$4,578
Out-of-state: $8,930
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,000
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$30,894
12% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Clinical Laboratory Science 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 →

Clinical Laboratory Science Career Guide

Clinical Laboratory Science opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Clinical Laboratory Science career guide →

Compare & Explore

Clinical Laboratory Science Overview

View all 146 schools offering Clinical Laboratory Science →

Clinical Laboratory Science at Other Schools

Community College of Philadelphia ($74,011) Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences ($68,940) Springfield Technical Community College ($66,182) University of North Dakota ($65,073) Arapahoe Community College ($63,746) Carolinas College of Health Sciences ($62,885) Hillsborough Community College ($61,237) Phoenix College ($59,829)

Other Majors at Northwest State Community College

Nursing ($63,343) Practical Nursing ($47,124) Business Administration ($42,324)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Clinical Laboratory Science degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northwest State Community College's Clinical Laboratory Science program score?
A score of 53/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Northwest State Community College trails the majority of Clinical Laboratory Science programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How affordable is Clinical Laboratory Science at Northwest State Community College?
At $7,000 in median debt, Clinical Laboratory Science graduates from Northwest State Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Why are Clinical Laboratory Science earnings lower at Northwest State Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Northwest State Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Clinical Laboratory Science graduates?
Beyond Northwest State Community College's classroom route, 15 registered apprenticeships map to Clinical Laboratory Science careers — including Blocker & Cutter Contact Lens. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Clinical Laboratory Science graduates?
With approximately 79,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Clinical Laboratory Science offers a large employment pool. Northwest State Community College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →