Clinical Laboratory Science at Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,443/yr (-46% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Large (79,700 openings/yr)
ROI 8.9x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #99 of 99 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research programs

Program Analysis

The data highlights the unique challenges within Cleveland State's Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions program. While vital to the regional healthcare ecosystem, entry-level roles in this sector, such as medical technologists or surgical technicians within major Cleveland hospitals like Cleveland Clinic or University Hospitals, often follow a structured pay scale that can limit initial earning potential. The program's broad scope in allied health can lead to diverse but not always high-paying early career paths. The local labor market, while rich with healthcare employers, may have a significant supply of qualified graduates for these foundational roles. To navigate this, you'll need to be proactive: deeply research current *local* starting salaries for specific roles and consider how specialized certifications or an immediate plan for further education could accelerate your career trajectory beyond initial entry-level compensation.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Clinical Laboratory Science graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $447K $447K $430K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.9x 8.9x 8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 6.2x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 53% 44%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 34 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,452
Out-of-state: $71,892 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,260
-27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,950
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings

About Cleveland State University

A 95% acceptance rate means Cleveland State University is accessible to most applicants, serving 9,077 students in Cleveland, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Cleveland State University →

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Surgical technologists $62,830/yr
Health technologists and technicians, all other $48,790/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Clinical Laboratory Science at Other Schools

Other Majors at Cleveland State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 34/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Clinical Laboratory Science at Cleveland State University?
At 34/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Clinical Laboratory Science programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Cleveland State University a good choice for Clinical Laboratory Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Cleveland State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →