Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Western Dakota Technical College
a compact campus enrolling 733 students in Rapid City, SD.
Program Analysis
Western Dakota Technical College's Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates start at $46,378/yr — above the $39,620 national average, though not by a wide margin.
With a 30.3x 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 — $20,000 in median debt clears fast against $46,378 in annual earnings.
A #68 ranking among 146 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research programs places Western Dakota Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
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.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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 Western Dakota Technical College
Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree
Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.