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Quality control associate education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a quality control associate. Quality control associates usually study biology, chemistry, or business. 65% of quality control associates hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,748 real quality control associate resumes to see exactly what quality control associate education sections show.

The most common colleges for quality control associates are the University of California - Davis and the University of California - Davis.

There are also many online quality control associate courses to help get the education required to be a quality control associate.

What education do you need to become a quality control associate?

What degree do you need to be a quality control associate?

The most common degree for quality control associates is bachelor's degree, with 65% of quality control associates earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 12% and associate degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 65%
  • Associate, 12%
  • High School Diploma, 9%
  • Master's, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a quality control associate?

You should major in biology to become a quality control associate. 24% of quality control associates major in biology. Other common majors for a quality control associate include chemistry and business.

Most common colleges for quality control associates

Quality control associates often get their degrees at University of California - Davis, University of California, Santa Barbara, and University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus. Here are the most common colleges for quality control associates in the US based on their resumes.
Quality control associate common collegePercentages
University of California - Davis16.20%
University of California, Santa Barbara13.38%
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus7.75%
University of Phoenix5.63%
San Francisco State University5.28%

Best majors for quality control associates

Best colleges for quality control associates

The best colleges for quality control associates are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A quality control associate with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for quality control associates. 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 quality control associates.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

7. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

20 best online courses for quality control associates

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1. Stability and Capability in Quality Improvement

coursera

In this course, you will learn to analyze data in terms of process stability and statistical control and why having a stable process is imperative prior to perform statistical hypothesis testing. You will create statistical process control charts for both continuous and discrete data using R software. You will analyze data sets for statistical control using control rules based on probability. Additionally, you will learn how to assess a process with respect to how capable it is of meeting...

2. Total Data Quality

coursera

This specialization aims to explore the Total Data Quality framework in depth and provide learners with more information about the detailed evaluation of total data quality that needs to happen prior to data analysis. The goal is for learners to incorporate evaluations of data quality into their process as a critical component for all projects. We sincerely hope to disseminate knowledge about total data quality to all learners, such as data scientists and quantitative analysts, who have not had...

3. IT Audit Fundamentals Introduction to Controls

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4.5
(3,021)

Learn foundational principles of IT audits and controls...

4. Data Quality Fundamentals

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4.2
(557)

Understand key concepts, principles and terminology related to Data Quality...

5. Measuring Total Data Quality

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By the end of this second course in the Total Data Quality Specialization, learners will be able to: 1. Learn various metrics for evaluating Total Data Quality (TDQ) at each stage of the TDQ framework. 2. Create a quality concept map that tracks relevant aspects of TDQ from a particular application or data source. 3. Think through relative trade-offs between quality aspects, relative costs and practical constraints imposed by a particular project or study. 4. Identify relevant software and...

6. Data Science Methods for Quality Improvement

coursera

Data analysis skills are widely sought by employers, both nationally and internationally. This specialization is ideal for anyone interested in data analysis for improving quality and processes in business and industry. The skills taught in this specialization have been used extensively to improve business performance, quality, and reliability.\n\nBy completing this specialization, you will improve your ability to analyze data and interpret results as well as gain new skills, such as using...

7. Certified Quality Process Analyst Training

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Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) Exam Preparation Course - Confidently Pass the Exam on the First Attempt...

8. Certified Quality Auditor Training

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4.6
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Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) Exam Preparation Course - Confidently pass the exam in the first attempt...

9. ISO 9001:2015-Quality Management System Implementation & Audit

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4.2
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Learn how to Implement and Audit a Quality Management System as per ISO 9001: 2015...

10. Quality Management Systems:Management and Control of Quality

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Learn to Build, Implement, and Sustain a Performance Excellence Culture into Your Organisation...

11. HACCP-Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point Certification

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Food Safety Preventive Approach (HACCP System)...

12. Practice Exams: AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate

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AWS Certified Sys Ops Administrator Associate SOA-C02 tests: 195 high-quality mock questions with detailed explanations!...

13. 4x1 Data Management/Governance/Security/Ethics Masterclass

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4.4
(533)

You'll learn about data literacy, Data Quality operations, Data Governance policies and Data Security/Privacy controls...

14. Data Quality Masterclass - The Complete Course

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4.5
(1,220)

Learn Data Quality Management from A to Z. This complete guide covers all Data Quality Principles, Techniques and more...

15. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS

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4.5
(783)

Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...

16. Data Warehouse ETL Testing & Data Quality Management A-Z

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4.4
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ETL Testing and Data Quality Management for beginners with practical exercises and certificate of completion...

17. 7 Quality Tools for Quality Management and Improvements.

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4.4
(434)

A complete Crash Course on the 7 Basic Tools for Quality Management and its Implementation using MS Excel...

18. SAP Controlling

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4.4
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SAP Controlling...

19. Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate Practice Exams

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Practice Exams Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate both for V2 and V3 exams, 5 Exams with detailed explanations...

20. ISO 9001:2015 Quality management system auditor

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4.5
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Upgrade your career by learning how to implement and audit a quality management system according to ISO 9001...

Top 10 most affordable universities for quality control associates

The most affordable schools for quality control associates are California State University - Bakersfield, university of florida, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for quality control associates 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 quality control associates.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

8. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

9. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

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 quality control associates

The hardest universities for quality control associates to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for quality control associates 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 quality control associates 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

5. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

8. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

9. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for quality control associates

The easiest schools for quality control associates to get into are Barry University, d'youville college, and oklahoma wesleyan university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a quality control associate 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 quality control associates.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

6. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

7. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

8. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

9. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

10. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

Average quality control associate salary by education level

According to our data, quality control associates with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $53,672 annually. Quality control associates with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $47,465.
Quality control associate education levelQuality control associate salary
Master's Degree$53,672
High School Diploma or Less$42,951
Bachelor's Degree$45,126
Some College/ Associate Degree$47,465

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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