Quality Control & Safety Technology at Marshall University

Huntington, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
60
Optimistic
60
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $67,923/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Large (95,600 openings/yr)
ROI 17.9x earnings multiple (7.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #19 of 21 Quality Control programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Quality Control & Safety Technology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $651K $641K $582K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.2x 17.9x 16.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.0x 7.9x 7.2x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 60 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,768
Out-of-state: $81,176 (7.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$33,308
7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,875
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $67,923 at Marshall University come in 6% above the national median of $63,917 for Quality Control & Safety Technology programs.

With a 17.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Quality Control & Safety Technology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $67,923 far exceeding the $24,875 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #19 ranking among 21 Quality Control & Safety Technology programs places Marshall University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Marshall University

Marshall University accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 7,149 in Huntington, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at Marshall University →

Top Career Paths

Occupational health and safety specialists $83,910/yr
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians $64,790/yr
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians $58,890/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Quality Control & Safety Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Marshall University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Quality Control & Safety Technology at Marshall University?
At 60/100, the score looks reasonable — but Quality Control & Safety Technology is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Quality Control & Safety Technology at Marshall University?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →