Home › Del Mar College › Quality Control & Safety Technology

Quality Control & Safety Technology at Del Mar College

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

with a mid-sized student body of 9,038 in Corpus Christi, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,991 place Del Mar College below the $51,188 national median for Quality Control & Safety Technology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 53.2x 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 & Safety Technology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $34,991 far exceeding the $5,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #6 ranking among 11 Quality Control & Safety Technology programs places Del Mar College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

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

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
55
Score
56
High End
Earnings $34,991/yr (-32% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Large (95,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$366K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
53.2x
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)
$6,880
Out-of-state: $12,100
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,250
1.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$43,104
23% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Quality Control & Safety Technology careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering engineering & technology.

Read the full Quality Control & Safety Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Quality Control & Safety Technology Overview

View all 11 schools offering Quality Control & Safety Technology →

Quality Control & Safety Technology at Other Schools

Columbia Southern University ($74,871) Ferris State University ($67,753) Waldorf University ($65,381) Ashland Community and Technical College ($58,388) Southeast Community College Area ($57,207) Ogden-Weber Technical College ($55,875) Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology ($39,200) Ocean Corporation ($38,240)

Other Majors at Del Mar College

Nursing ($70,673) Physical Science Technology ($56,948) Allied Health Professions ($52,431) Medical Assisting ($42,057) Business Administration ($32,980) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($22,108) Cosmetology ($13,099)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Quality Control & Safety Technology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 55/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Quality Control & Safety Technology at Del Mar College?
A score of 55/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Del Mar College trails the majority of Quality Control & Safety Technology programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Should I worry about AI if I study Quality Control & Safety Technology at Del Mar College?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Del Mar College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
How affordable is Quality Control & Safety Technology at Del Mar College?
Median debt of just $5,250 against $34,991/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can you still earn well with Quality Control & Safety Technology from Del Mar College?
Lower starting pay at Del Mar College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Quality Control & Safety Technology program at Del Mar College?
Yes — 31 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Quality Control & Safety Technology career paths, including Airplane Inspector. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Del Mar College.
What's the job market like for Quality Control & Safety Technology from Del Mar College?
At 95,600 annual openings, Quality Control & Safety Technology has a large employment base. Del Mar College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →