Quality Control 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 at Texas State Technical College?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Quality Control programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How vulnerable is Quality Control to AI automation?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Can you still earn well with Quality Control 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.
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?
With approximately 95,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Quality Control offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →