Quality Control at Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, OK · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
65
Optimistic
64
Base Case
62
Pessimistic
Earnings $49,321/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Large (95,600 openings/yr)
ROI 20.6x earnings multiple (9.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #15 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 graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $628K $619K $564K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.9x 20.6x 18.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.4x 9.3x 8.5x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 65 64 62

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,052
Out-of-state: $66,532 (9.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$47,200
-57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,924
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,684
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $49,321 place Northeastern State University below the $63,917 national median for Quality Control — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Quality Control programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Quality Control's typical career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $49,321 far exceeding the $14,924 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #15 of 21 Quality Control programs, Northeastern State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $49,321 to $68,684 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Northeastern State University

Northeastern State University accepts 99% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 4,636 in Tahlequah, OK. With 42% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Northeastern State 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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northeastern State 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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Quality Control at Northeastern State University?
This program scores 64/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Quality Control programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Quality Control careers?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $564,430 in decade earnings vs $627,618 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Quality Control from Northeastern State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →