Quality Control & Safety Technology at Texas State Technical College

Waco, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians

enrolling 9,153 students in Waco, TX.

Program Analysis

At $33,249 per year, Quality Control & Safety Technology graduates from Texas State Technical College earn below the $51,188 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 24.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Quality Control & Safety Technology graduates.

The $19,000 debt-to-$33,249 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #10 out of 11 programs, Texas State Technical College's financial outcomes for Quality Control & Safety Technology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $33,249 to $34,947 over five years (5% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 31 registered apprenticeships mapped to Quality Control & Safety Technology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
46
Score
48
High End
Earnings $33,249/yr (-35% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Large (95,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$352K
1.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
24.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
5 of 5
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)
$14,384
Out-of-state: $23,684
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,947
5% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Quality Control & Safety Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Occupational health and safety specialists $83,910 +12.5% 67%
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians $64,790 +1.7% 61%
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians $58,890 +1.2% 59%
Occupational health and safety specialists
$83,910
+12.5% growth 67% AI-proof
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians
$64,790
+1.7% growth 61% AI-proof
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians
$58,890
+1.2% growth 59% AI-proof

View all 5 career paths with full salary data →

Quality Control & Safety Technology Career Guide

Explore what Quality Control & Safety Technology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 11 programs nationwide.

Read the full Quality Control & Safety Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Quality Control & Safety Technology Overview

Quality Control & Safety Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Texas State Technical College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 46/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Quality Control & Safety Technology at Texas State Technical College?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Quality Control & Safety Technology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How vulnerable is Quality Control & Safety Technology to AI automation?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $347,856 in decade earnings vs $351,878 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Quality Control & Safety Technology from Texas State Technical College?
Lower starting pay at Texas State Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Quality Control & Safety Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Texas State Technical College?
There are 31 registered apprenticeships connected to Quality Control & Safety Technology occupations, such as Airplane Inspector and Automobile Repair-Service Estimator. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Quality Control & Safety Technology from Texas State Technical College?
Job availability for Quality Control & Safety Technology is strong — 95,600 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Texas State Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in TX may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →