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Health Professions · Clinical Laboratory Science Rank #97 of 99

Clinical Laboratory Scienceat Michigan Technological University

Graduates earn $38,756/yr in their first year — about 41.0% below the national Clinical Laboratory Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $613K; scenarios range from $569K to $614K depending on AI disruption.

Houghton, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
44 AVERAGE
45
Optimistic
48
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,756
1-year post-graduation
ROI
7.7x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$613K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
29% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Michigan Technological University

The unique environment of Michigan Tech, situated in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, heavily influences the career trajectory for graduates in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science. While the university excels in many technical fields, this specific program's outcomes are often shaped by the regional labor market. Local demand for specialized medical laboratory scientists and allied health professionals in the immediate Houghton area is limited, and wages tend to reflect a smaller, more rural economy compared to major metropolitan hubs.

This means many graduates either seek roles in lower-paying technician capacities within the region or must relocate to find more competitive opportunities in larger urban centers. The program likely provides a solid foundational education, but the pipeline to higher-paying positions typically requires navigating these geographical and economic realities. When considering this path, research potential employers in your desired post-graduation locations and understand the specific roles and compensation structures available there.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$569K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple7.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$613K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score44/100
Earnings Multiple8.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$614K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score45/100
Earnings Multiple8.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Michigan Technological University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Clinical Laboratory Science graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
+17.3% 10-yr growth · 27,400 openings/yr
$105,620/yr
Moderate
2
Surgical technologists
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 7,000 openings/yr
$62,830/yr
Low
3
Health technologists and technicians, all other
+5.2% 10-yr growth · 13,600 openings/yr
$48,790/yr
High
4
Medical equipment preparers
+10.0% 10-yr growth · 10,900 openings/yr
$46,490/yr
Low
5
Phlebotomists
+5.6% 10-yr growth · 18,400 openings/yr
$43,660/yr
Low
6
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 2,400 openings/yr
$38,420/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Clinical Laboratory Science

How Michigan Technological University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
CUNY York College
NY · Public
65
DW Score
$105K
1-yr earn
34.8x
ROI
Mercy University
NY · Private nonprofit
58
DW Score
$102K
1-yr earn
10.5x
ROI
Top score
Farmingdale State College
NY · Public
76
DW Score
$96K
1-yr earn
26.5x
ROI
Stony Brook University
NY · Public
76
DW Score
$92K
1-yr earn
24.3x
ROI
College of Staten Island CUNY
NY · Public
75
DW Score
$86K
1-yr earn
30.2x
ROI
Also at Michigan Technological University

Other top programs at Michigan Technological University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Michigan Technological University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Clinical Laboratory Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Clinical Laboratory Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Clinical Laboratory Science at Michigan Technological University

What does a 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Clinical Laboratory Science at Michigan Technological University?

At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Clinical Laboratory Science programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is Michigan Technological University a good choice for Clinical Laboratory Science despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Michigan Technological University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.