Home Schools University of Houston-Downtown Quality Control & Safety Technology
Engineering Technology · Quality Control & Safety Technology Rank #12 of 21

Quality Control & Safety Technologyat University of Houston-Downtown

Graduates earn $51,840/yr in their first year — about 19.0% below the national Quality Control & Safety Technology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $634K; scenarios range from $576K to $644K depending on AI disruption.

Houston, TX Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
66 SOLID
66
Optimistic
63
Pessimistic
Earnings
$51,840
1-year post-graduation
ROI
22.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$634K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
40% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Houston-Downtown

While the Houston region boasts a strong industrial base with persistent demand for quality and safety professionals in petrochemical, manufacturing, and construction, the outcomes for this program suggest a specific niche. Graduates often fill essential, hands-on technician roles within larger organizations, ensuring compliance and operational safety. These positions are vital but typically offer more modest compensation compared to engineering or specialist roles requiring advanced certifications or a broader skillset. The competitive local market, combined with the program's practical, applied focus, means you'll likely start in support functions rather than strategic leadership. Furthermore, the high AI risk indicates that continuous learning and specialized certifications will be crucial to protect your long-term career. To stand out, prioritize internships and pursue industry-specific certifications to differentiate your expertise.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$576K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score63/100
Earnings Multiple18.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$634K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple20.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$644K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple20.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Houston-Downtown's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Quality Control & Safety Technology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Occupational health and safety specialists
+12.5% 10-yr growth · 14,900 openings/yr
$83,910/yr
Moderate
2
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 6,300 openings/yr
$64,790/yr
Moderate
3
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$58,890/yr
Moderate
4
Occupational health and safety technicians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 3,400 openings/yr
$58,440/yr
Moderate
5
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers
0.0% 10-yr growth · 69,900 openings/yr
$47,460/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Quality Control & Safety Technology

How University of Houston-Downtown stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Columbia Southern University
AL · Private for-profit
75
DW Score
$79K
1-yr earn
38.5x
ROI
Central Washington University
WA · Public
74
DW Score
$78K
1-yr earn
24.2x
ROI
Eastern Kentucky University
KY · Public
72
DW Score
$71K
1-yr earn
21.6x
ROI
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
WI · Public
71
DW Score
$70K
1-yr earn
23.1x
ROI
Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus
PA · Public
69
DW Score
$69K
1-yr earn
17.0x
ROI
Also at University of Houston-Downtown

Other top programs at University of Houston-Downtown

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Houston-Downtown, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Quality Control & Safety Technology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Quality Control & Safety Technology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Quality Control & Safety Technology at University of Houston-Downtown

What does a 66/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Quality Control & Safety Technology at University of Houston-Downtown?

At 66/100, 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 University of Houston-Downtown?

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.

Is University of Houston-Downtown a good choice for Quality Control & Safety Technology despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of Houston-Downtown's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.