Quality Control & Safety Technology at Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,240/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Large (95,600 openings/yr)
ROI 18.2x earnings multiple (8.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 21 Quality Control programs Top 25%

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 $753K $736K $656K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.6x 18.2x 16.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.0x 8.8x 7.9x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 72 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,520
Out-of-state: $83,280 (8.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$39,848
2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$30,849
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$91,722
29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $71,240/yr, edging above the $63,917 national average for Quality Control & Safety Technology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 18.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $30,849 in median debt against $71,240 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #3 out of 21 programs, Eastern Kentucky University's Quality Control & Safety Technology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $71,240 to $91,722 shows 29% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University has a 78% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 11,674 students in Richmond, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Kentucky 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 Eastern Kentucky University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Eastern Kentucky University's Quality Control & Safety Technology program score?
A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Eastern Kentucky University's Quality Control & Safety Technology graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Quality Control & Safety Technology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Quality Control & Safety Technology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 39% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Eastern Kentucky University rank so high for Quality Control & Safety Technology?
The #3 ranking out of 21 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →