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Food product inspector education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a food product inspector. Food product inspectors usually study business, criminal justice, or biology. 43% of food product inspectors hold a associate degree, and 29% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 25 real food product inspector resumes to see exactly what food product inspector education sections show.
The most common colleges for food product inspectors are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.
There are also many online food product inspector courses to help get the education required to be a food product inspector.
What education do you need to become a food product inspector?
What degree do you need to be a food product inspector?
- Associate, 43%
- Bachelor's, 29%
- High School Diploma, 14%
- Master's, 7%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a food product inspector?
- Business, 20%
- Criminal Justice, 13%
- Biology, 7%
- Other Majors, 53%
Most common colleges for food product inspectors
| Food product inspector common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| DeVry University | 12.50% |
| Rio Hondo College | 12.50% |
| Michigan State University | 12.50% |
| Warren Wilson College | 12.50% |
| Arizona State University | 12.50% |
Best majors for food product inspectors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 20.0% |
| 2 | Criminal Justice | 13.3% |
| 3 | Biology | 6.7% |
| 4 | Public Administration | 6.7% |
| 5 | Drafting And Design | 6.7% |
Best colleges for food product inspectors
The best colleges for food product inspectors are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.
A food product inspector with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for food product inspectors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become food product inspectors.
1. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Texas A&M University
College Station, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$11,870
Enrollment
53,194
4. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Enrollment
34,564
5. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
7. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
8. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
9. Ohio State University
Columbus, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$10,726
Enrollment
45,769
10. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
20 best online courses for food product inspectors
Advertising disclosure
1. Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management
Learn about the impact of infectious disease on sustainable animal-based food production by understanding the science of growth, immunity, and infection and by learning the problem-solving skills needed to advance animal health and food production through optimal management practices. There is a growing global need in agricultural production for a workforce that is capable of integrating knowledge of animal health and production with an understanding of consumer preferences in the context of...
2. Healthy and Sustainable Foods and Products
The effects of climate change have prompted individuals and institutions to evaluate their impact on our planet. In this specialization, learn how you and global companies can reduce the harmful effects of overproduction and overconsumption on our health and the environment using quantitative metrics and assessment methods.\n\nThis series will allow you to:\n\nAnalyze the health impacts of global trade and identify the steps needed to reach sustainable consumption. Assess the nutritional and...
3. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System
Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...
4. Mechanical design and Product development process
Learn the basic ideas and concepts behind developing mechanical products related to mechanical engineering...
5. The Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
The 18-step process for ensuring new parts are consistently manufactured and meet their customers' quality expectations...
6. Scrum Product Owner & Scrum Product Owner Certification
Introduction to Agile and Scrum Product Owner Role + Preparation to Product Owner Certification Tests + Mock Exam...
7. Product Management Crash Course; IT Product Management
Product Management Essentials & Product Management Fundamentals to kick-start your career in Product Management...
8. Great Product Manager: Product Management by a Big Tech's PM
Become a Great Product Manager! Land your dream job with Big Tech's Senior Product Manager...
9. Comprehensive Product management for Product managers
Become a great product manager with comprehensive product management Real world case study with JIRA & Confluence...
10. Productivity for Mac Users: 10x Your Productivity
Shortcuts and Tools to 10x Your Productivity on Your Mac...
11. Product Management Marketing: Dekker's Product Marketing MBA
Be a Product Marketing Manager - Product Management : Product Manager MBA : Product to Market : Product Owner Launch GTM...
12. Product Management Certification+Agile Product Owner+Scrum
Overview of Agile product management+Online Certification PSPO I Certification Tips for Scrum Product Owner+User Stories...
13. Product Management Fundamentals
Case-based practical course on product management to build strong foundations in product concepts, process & frameworks...
14. Product Management: Mastering Product Roadmaps 2023
A complete guide to building a roadmap that works for both your product team and your stakeholders...
15. Insightful Customer Interviews for Product Managers
Direct conversations with real customers to gain insight, test product concepts, and drive product success...
16. Smart Tips: Product Management
Find impact, innovation, and success as a product manager...
17. Product Management for Absolute Beginners
Master the Frameworks used by the best Product Managers to Make Great Product Decisions...
18. Introduction Agile & Scrum for Product Owners
[UNOFFICIAL] Learn about agility & Scrum. Prepare for your Project Manager or Product Owner certification in 2023!...
19. Product and Service Management
Know the Work that is Involved in Getting a Product Onto the Shelf and a Service Ready for Effective Delivery...
20. Productivity Machine: Time Management & Productivity Hacks
Productivity & Time Management Strategies for Goal Setting, Eliminating Distractions, & Building Habits for Success...
Top 10 most affordable universities for food product inspectors
The most affordable schools for food product inspectors are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for food product inspectors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for food product inspectors.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
5. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
6. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
9. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
10. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for food product inspectors
The hardest universities for food product inspectors to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for food product inspectors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for food product inspectors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
8. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
9. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,367
10. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for food product inspectors
The easiest schools for food product inspectors to get into are Wayland Baptist University, the university of texas permian basin, and gwynedd mercy university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a food product inspector without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for food product inspectors.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
3. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
4. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
5. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
6. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
7. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
8. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
9. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
10. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
Average food product inspector salary by education level
| Food product inspector education level | Food product inspector salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $47,706 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $52,642 |
| No Education | $45,450 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $52,352 |
Food product inspector education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025