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Cheapest Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

California State University-Dominguez Hills stands out with a net price of just $3,659 for Quality Control and Safety Technologies programs, making it the most affordable option among 20 schools nationwide. This dramatic cost advantage becomes even more striking when compared to programs at universities like University of Alaska Anchorage, where students pay nearly four times more at $13,780. The wide earnings range from $39,639 to $69,338 reflects the program's versatility across industries, from manufacturing plants in the Midwest to aerospace companies on the West Coast. Quality control professionals find particularly strong demand in California's tech manufacturing sector, where companies like Intel and Applied Materials require specialists to maintain production standards. Graduation rates vary significantly across these affordable programs, with Murray State University achieving 59.5% compared to University of Alaska Anchorage's 28.9%. Students at Eastern Kentucky University see the highest earning potential at $69,338 annually, while maintaining relatively low debt levels. The acceptance rates across these schools remain high, with most programs accepting over 80% of applicants, making entry into this field accessible for students seeking stable technical careers without excessive student loan burdens.
35
Programs
$3,659 – $40,289
Net Price Range
$58,001
Avg. Program Earnings
49.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

35 Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $6,352 $7,200 33.3% 74.2%
3 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
4 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
5 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
6 $9,055 $8,454 48.3% 98.5%
7 $9,121 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
8 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
9 $11,800 $7,513 37.2% 99.5%
10 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
11 $12,091 $8,173 54.3% 98.4%
12 $12,174 $8,373 44.8% 99.0%
13 $12,188 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
14 $12,202 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
15 $13,780 $7,566 28.9% 65.3%
16 $14,623 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
17 $14,715 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
18 $14,785 $8,250 64.3% 82.4%
19 $14,850 $12,426 51.1% 78.5%
20 $14,975 $5,808 37.2%
21 $15,336 $9,739 49.4% 71.3%
22 $17,096 $14,628 68.6% 90.4%
23 $17,185 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%
24 $17,216 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
25 $17,815 $27,360 58.1% 64.8%
26 $18,406 $30,034 69.9% 84.6%
27 $18,889 $8,008 57.6% 86.2%
28 $19,164 $14,710 58.4% 89.5%
29 $19,524 $10,507 65.9% 74.3%
30 $19,733 $11,665 21.6% 57.7%
31 $20,231 $12,262 54.4% 92.4%
32 $20,918 $14,081 62.8% 78.7%
33 $21,683 $25,220 29.0% 73.9%
34 $34,089 $45,730 59.2% 91.2%
35 $40,289 $42,304 67.4% 64.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes California State University-Dominguez Hills so much cheaper than other programs?

CSU-Dominguez Hills offers the lowest net price at $3,659, largely due to California's substantial state funding for public universities and solid financial aid programs. The in-state tuition of $7,064 remains reasonable even before aid calculations. This represents savings of over $10,000 annually compared to schools like University of Alaska Anchorage at $13,780 net cost.

How do earnings compare to program costs at these affordable schools?

Eastern Kentucky University graduates earn the highest salaries at $69,338 annually with a net cost of $9,962, creating an excellent return on investment. Murray State University also shows strong earning potential at $66,969 for graduates. Even at the lower end, Northeastern State University graduates earning $39,639 still see positive returns given the program's low debt levels of $14,924.

Where do graduates find the best job opportunities in this field?

Quality control technicians find employment across manufacturing, healthcare, food production, and technology sectors. States with strong manufacturing bases like Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio offer numerous opportunities at companies requiring safety compliance. California's tech industry particularly values quality control specialists for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. Government agencies and laboratories also hire graduates for regulatory compliance roles.

Does graduation rate affect job prospects in quality control programs?

Schools with higher graduation rates like Murray State at 59.5% and Nicholls State at 54.3% typically indicate stronger program support and student success. However, even schools with lower rates like University of Alaska Anchorage at 28.9% can lead to good careers for completing students. The key factor remains gaining hands-on experience with testing equipment and understanding regulatory standards.

Is the debt load manageable for quality control technology students?

Most graduates carry reasonable debt levels, with Northeastern State University students averaging just $14,924 in loans. Southeastern Louisiana University graduates owe $21,500 on average while earning $61,516 annually. Even the highest debt at Eastern Kentucky University reaches $30,849, but graduates' $69,338 median earnings make repayment feasible within standard timeframes.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.