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Quality Control at University of Houston-Downtown

Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
66 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
66
Optimistic
66
Base Case
63
Pessimistic
Earnings $51,840/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Large (95,600 openings/yr)
ROI 20.6x earnings multiple (8.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #12 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 $644K $634K $576K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.9x 20.6x 18.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.1x 8.9x 8.1x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 66 66 63

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,832
Out-of-state: $71,152 (8.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,492
-90% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$34,208
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$71,630
38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $51,840/yr fall 19% below the $63,917 national median for Quality Control. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 20.6x 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 career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $34,208 against $51,840/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #12 ranking among 21 Quality Control programs places University of Houston-Downtown in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 38% earnings increase from $51,840 to $71,630 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Houston-Downtown

University of Houston-Downtown has a 91% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 12,812 in Houston, TX. With 52% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Houston-Downtown →

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

Compare this program → View all 21 schools offering Quality Control →

Quality Control at Other Schools

Columbia Southern University ($78,532) Central Washington University ($77,500) Indiana State University ($71,755) Eastern Kentucky University ($71,240) University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ($70,016) Pittsburg State University ($69,750) Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus ($68,996) Marshall University ($67,923)

Other Majors at University of Houston-Downtown

Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($68,144) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($56,475) Accounting and Related Services ($54,128) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($53,764) Management Information Systems and Services ($51,314) Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences ($50,894) Mathematics ($49,496) Business/Commerce, General ($47,469)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Quality Control trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 66/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Quality Control at University of Houston-Downtown?
At 66/100, the score looks reasonable — but Quality Control 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 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 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →