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Quality control chemist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a quality control chemist. Quality control chemists usually study chemistry, biology, or biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology. 82% of quality control chemists hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 5,082 real quality control chemist resumes to see exactly what quality control chemist education sections show.

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

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

There are certain quality control chemist certifications that you should consider. These quality control chemist certifications include Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and Certified Chemical Engineer (CCE).

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

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

The most common degree for quality control chemists is bachelor's degree, with 82% of quality control chemists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 12% and master's degree degree at 4%.
  • Bachelor's, 82%
  • Master's, 12%
  • Associate, 4%
  • Doctorate, 1%
  • Other Degrees, 1%

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

You should major in chemistry to become a quality control chemist. 52% of quality control chemists major in chemistry. Other common majors for a quality control chemist include biology and biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology.

Most common colleges for quality control chemists

Quality control chemists often get their degrees at University of California - Davis, University of California, Santa Barbara, and Temple University. Here are the most common colleges for quality control chemists in the US based on their resumes.
Quality control chemist common collegePercentages
University of California - Davis14.20%
University of California, Santa Barbara12.09%
Temple University6.91%
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey6.91%
Purdue University5.37%

Best majors for quality control chemists

Best colleges for quality control chemists

The best colleges for quality control chemists are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A quality control chemist 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 chemists. 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 chemists.

1. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

4. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

5. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

In-state tuition

$49,816

Enrollment

6,840

7. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

8. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

9. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

10. University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,226

Enrollment

31,568

20 best online courses for quality control chemists

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1. Stability and Capability in Quality Improvement

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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. Data Science Methods for Quality Improvement

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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...

3. 7 Quality Tools for Quality Management and Improvements.

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4.4
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A complete Crash Course on the 7 Basic Tools for Quality Management and its Implementation using MS Excel...

4. Quality Management Systems:Management and Control of Quality

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4.5
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Learn to Build, Implement, and Sustain a Performance Excellence Culture into Your Organisation...

5. Introduction to Molecular Spectroscopy

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The course introduces the three key spectroscopic methods used by chemists and biochemists to analyse the molecular and electronic structure of atoms and molecules. These are UV/Visible , Infra-red (IR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. The content is presented using short focussed and interactive screencast presentations accompanied by formative quizzes to probe understanding of the key concepts presented. Numerous exercises are provided to facilitate mastery of each topic...

6. Building High Quality User Experience Using Material UI

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A user experience is built upon a user’s experiences and interactions with a product, system, or service. Providing high quality digital experiences in a web application involves writing CSS codes which focus on display, navigation, actions, input, and communication. However, CSS has its own set of challenges which can be addressed using Material UI design library. This course will enable you to use CSS-in-JS and work with design systems like Material UI to quickly develop high quality React...

7. Learn Test management using HP ALM / QC (Quality Center)

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4.5
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A practical detailed discussion on Test Management using Quality Center / ALM...

8. SAP Controlling

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SAP Controlling...

9. Total Data Quality

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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...

10. Certificate Course in Drug Regulatory Affairs (DRA)

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4.2
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Pharma course (NDA, ANDA, CTD, DMF, USFDA, Regulatory strategy, GMP, Clinical Research, Orange Book, Pharmaceuticals)...

11. PID Controllers - Intro to Control Design

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4.2
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Learn to write your own control software while learning fundamental control theory...

12. Applied Control Systems 3: UAV drone (3D Dynamics & control)

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4.6
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Modeling + state space systems + Model Predictive Control + feedback control + Python simulation: UAV quadcopter drone...

13. Cost of Quality Analysis and Reporting using Microsoft Excel

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4.4
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Expertly collect, analyze and present quality cost data (using Microsoft Excel) to help drive continual improvement...

14. Pharmaceutical Industry Drug Regulatory Affairs (DRA)

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4.5
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Empowering Professionals in the Pharmaceutical Industry: A Comprehensive Online Course in Drug Regulatory Affairs...

15. Control Systems: From Mathematical Modelling to PID Control

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Learn the mathematics that will allow you to model and control any engineering system. Make machines do what you want!...

16. ISO9001 Quality Management System

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Learn why your business should be using Quality Management TODAY and create your own QMS (Quality Management System)...

17. Data Quality Fundamentals

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

18. Quality Systems, Models and Theories

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4.1
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Understand, Develop and Implement Quality Systems for Success and Profit...

19. ISO 9001:2015 Quality management system auditor

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

20. SAP Quality Management (QM) Module Online Classes

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SAP Quality Management (QM) Module Online Classes...

Top 10 most affordable universities for quality control chemists

The most affordable schools for quality control chemists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for quality control chemists 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 chemists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

8. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

9. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

10. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for quality control chemists

The hardest universities for quality control chemists to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for quality control chemists 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 chemists 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. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

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. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

8. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

9. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

10. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

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

The easiest schools for quality control chemists to get into are D'Youville College, mount saint mary's university, and wayland baptist university.

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

1. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

2. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

3. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

4. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

5. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

7. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

8. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

9. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

10. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

Average quality control chemist salary by education level

According to our data, quality control chemists with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $68,568 annually. Quality control chemists with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $61,027.
Quality control chemist education levelQuality control chemist salary
Master's Degree$61,027
Bachelor's Degree$55,078
Doctorate Degree$68,568

Quality control chemist education FAQs

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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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