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Medical laboratory scientist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a medical laboratory scientist. Medical laboratory scientists usually study clinical/medical laboratory science, medical technician, or biology. 74% of medical laboratory scientists hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,916 real medical laboratory scientist resumes to see exactly what medical laboratory scientist education sections show.
The most common colleges for medical laboratory scientists are the Weber State University and the Weber State University.
There are also many online medical laboratory scientist courses to help get the education required to be a medical laboratory scientist.
There are certain medical laboratory scientist certifications that you should consider. These medical laboratory scientist certifications include Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) and Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT(AAB)).
What education do you need to become a medical laboratory scientist?
What degree do you need to be a medical laboratory scientist?
- Bachelor's, 74%
- Associate, 14%
- Master's, 6%
- Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a medical laboratory scientist?
- Medical Technician, 13%
- Biology, 13%
- Microbiology, 5%
- Other Majors, 17%
Most common colleges for medical laboratory scientists
| Medical laboratory scientist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Weber State University | 8.77% |
| University of Delaware | 8.33% |
| University of Cincinnati | 7.46% |
| George Washington University, The | 7.02% |
| Texas State University | 6.14% |
Best majors for medical laboratory scientists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science | 51.6% |
| 2 | Medical Technician | 13.3% |
| 3 | Biology | 12.7% |
| 4 | Microbiology | 5.1% |
| 5 | Chemistry | 2.7% |
Best colleges for medical laboratory scientists
The best colleges for medical laboratory scientists are Northwestern University, Boston University, and Vanderbilt University.
A medical laboratory scientist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for medical laboratory scientists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become medical laboratory scientists.
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
2. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
3. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$10,595
Enrollment
30,184
4. University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$15,730
Enrollment
18,830
5. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
6. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
9. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Enrollment
31,321
10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
20 best online courses for medical laboratory scientists
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1. Sensory Science: Conducting Tests
This course will introduce the sensory evaluation laboratory and will teach you best practices for testing and documentation. We'll explore how various factors, especially the testing environment, can influence sensory experiments. Our main focus will be on two specific sensory tests: duo-trio discrimination and 3-product consumer testing. Through case studies, we’ll examine how these tests can address product challenges. For both test types, we’ll dive into how to develop an appropriate...
2. Introduction to Translational Science
Translational science seeks to speed up the process of moving research discoveries from the laboratory into healthcare practices. Numerous scientific and organizational roadblocks can act as obstacles along the path of translation and ultimately hinder the speed of progress in medical research. The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) was established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to transform and accelerate the translational research process, with the...
3. Become a Microbiology Laboratory Technician
Microbiology...
4. Basic of Clinical Data Management
Clinical Data Management...
5. Translational Science
An introduction to the field of Translational Science and its applications to improve patient and community health through the four stages of translational research.\n\nTranslational science is the process of turning observations in the laboratory, clinic, and community into interventions that improve the health of individuals and populations.\n\nAs the translational research enterprise — both in the United States and internationally — continues to expand, there is a growing need to increase...
6. Predictive Modeling and Transforming Clinical Practice
This course teaches you the fundamentals of transforming clinical practice using predictive models. This course examines specific challenges and methods of clinical implementation, that clinical data scientists must be aware of when developing their predictive models...
7. A Specialty Approach to Learning Medical Billing and Coding
Volume One: Medical Hematology...
8. Medical Writing for Healthcare Professionals
Launch your scientific and medical writing career today. Learn from an experienced medical writer!...
9. Clinical Data Science
Are you interested in how to use data generated by doctors, nurses, and the healthcare system to improve the care of future patients? If so, you may be a future clinical data scientist!\n\nThis specialization provides learners with hands on experience in use of electronic health records and informatics tools to perform clinical data science. This series of six courses is designed to augment learner’s existing skills in statistics and programming to provide examples of specific challenges,...
10. Medical Terminology and the Human Body Fundamentals
In this Introduction to Medical Terminology and the Human Body course, you will learn about the medical language that is used to describe the human body. Throughout each Lesson, the roots of terms are explained to help students understand how medical terminology works in healthcare and to increase their knowledge and understanding of the material discussed. This course will provide you with a better understanding and working knowledge of medicine that is required for understanding of medical...
11. The Simplest Guide to Clinical Trials Data Analysis with SAS
Step into the world of Pharmaceutical industry Clinical Trials Clinical Research Biostatistics Clinical SAS SAS...
12. Good Clinical Practice ICH GCP for Clinical Research
Certification on ICH GCP E6 R2 Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research The Only Complete Course You Can Find Online...
13. Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 EU regulatory affairs.
Understand regulations for medical devices in simple terms to gain market approval of a medical device in the EU...
14. The Beginners Course for Clinical Research
The Essentials of Clinical Trials - Clinical Research for Beginners...
15. Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research Professionals
The Complete, Certified ICH GCP (R2 & R3) Course for Investigators, Study Coordinators, Sponsors, Monitors and Study staff...
16. Medical Terminology
Introduction to the meaning of various roots, terms and combining forms that are components of medical words...
17. Understanding Medications and Therapeutics
Helping you build the best foundation to truly understand medications and develop clinical reasoning skills...
18. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing
Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...
19. Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
Key features of the GCP guideline, roles and responsibilities involved and the requirements of essential documentation...
20. Clinical Research for beginners
The Art of Publishing - Master Pub Med, Study design, Biostatistics, Journal choice, Manuscript writing & Referencing...
Top 10 most affordable universities for medical laboratory scientists
The most affordable schools for medical laboratory scientists are University of Florida, university of south florida, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for medical laboratory scientists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for medical laboratory scientists.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
6. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
7. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
8. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
9. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
10. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Cost of attendance
24,718
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for medical laboratory scientists
The hardest universities for medical laboratory scientists to get into are Northwestern University, Boston University, and Vanderbilt University.
Some great schools for medical laboratory scientists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for medical laboratory scientists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
3. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
4. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,398
6. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
7. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
8. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
9. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,367
10. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,390
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for medical laboratory scientists
The easiest schools for medical laboratory scientists to get into are D'Youville College, gwynedd mercy university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a medical laboratory scientist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for medical laboratory scientists.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
5. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
6. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
7. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
8. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
9. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
10. Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,017
Average medical laboratory scientist salary by education level
| Medical laboratory scientist education level | Medical laboratory scientist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $61,498 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $47,844 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $59,720 |
| Doctorate Degree | $60,813 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $53,754 |
Medical laboratory scientist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025