Quality Control at Ashland Community and Technical College

Ashland, KY · Public · Certificate · Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians

a compact campus enrolling 1,566 students in Ashland, KY.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $58,388 at Ashland Community and Technical College come in 14% above the national median of $51,188 for Quality Control programs.

With a 131.2x 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 Quality Control career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $58,388 far exceeding the $11,056 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #1 of 11 programs, this Quality Control program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The 31 apprenticeship pathways connected to Quality Control reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
73
Score
74
High End
Earnings $58,388/yr (14% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Large (95,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$611K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
131.2x
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)
$4,656
Out-of-state: $6,192
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,056
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Quality Control 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 →

About Quality Control Careers

Your work is the backbone of a safe and efficient operation. One day, you might be on a factory floor with calipers and gauges, meticulously checking that machined parts meet blueprint specifications. The next, you could be walking a construction site as a safety specialist, using an air quality monitor to test for hazards and ensuring the crew follows proper protocols. You’ll be the person who documents findings, calibrates equipment, and communicates directly with engineers and production managers to solve problems.

Read the full Quality Control career guide →

Compare & Explore

Quality Control Overview

Quality Control at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ashland Community and Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Quality Control at Ashland Community and Technical College?
This program scores 73/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Quality Control nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How vulnerable is Quality Control to AI automation?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $610,868 in decade earnings vs $610,868 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Quality Control graduates from Ashland Community and Technical College?
At $11,056 in median debt, Quality Control graduates from Ashland Community and Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Quality Control?
Quality Control connects to 31 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Quality Control workers?
The career paths mapped to Quality Control have roughly 95,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →