Quality Control at Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI · Public · Certificate · Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians

A 81% acceptance rate means Ferris State University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 8,087 in Big Rapids, MI.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Ferris State University's Quality Control program earn $67,753/yr in their first year — 32% above the $51,188 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 65.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Quality Control programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Quality Control's career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 23% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,594 in median debt against $67,753 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #4 of 11 Quality Control programs, Ferris State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $67,753 to $87,388 over five years — a 29% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Quality Control offers 31 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
68
Score
69
High End
Earnings $67,753/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Large (95,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$917K
6.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
67.3x
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
$13,630
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,594
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$87,388
29% growth from Year 1

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 Ferris State University

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 68/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Quality Control at Ferris State University?
At 68/100, Ferris State University's Quality Control program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI affect Quality Control careers?
AI won't 'replace' Quality Control careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 39% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Quality Control at Ferris State University?
At $19,594 in median debt, Quality Control graduates from Ferris State University carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Quality Control graduates?
There are 31 registered apprenticeships connected to Quality Control occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
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 →