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Sanitation inspector education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a sanitation inspector. Sanitation inspectors usually study business, biology, or public health. 39% of sanitation inspectors hold a bachelor's degree, and 24% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 109 real sanitation inspector resumes to see exactly what sanitation inspector education sections show.

The most common colleges for sanitation inspectors are the Cardinal Stritch University and the Cardinal Stritch University.

There are also many online sanitation inspector courses to help get the education required to be a sanitation inspector.

What education do you need to become a sanitation inspector?

What degree do you need to be a sanitation inspector?

The most common degree for sanitation inspectors is bachelor's degree, with 39% of sanitation inspectors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 24% and associate degree degree at 17%.
  • Bachelor's, 39%
  • Associate, 24%
  • High School Diploma, 17%
  • Diploma, 11%
  • Other Degrees, 9%

What should I major in to become a sanitation inspector?

You should major in business to become a sanitation inspector. 22% of sanitation inspectors major in business. Other common majors for a sanitation inspector include biology and public health.

Most common colleges for sanitation inspectors

Sanitation inspectors often get their degrees at Cardinal Stritch University, Johns Hopkins University, and Southern Connecticut State University. Here are the most common colleges for sanitation inspectors in the US based on their resumes.
Sanitation inspector common collegePercentages
Cardinal Stritch University20.00%
Johns Hopkins University8.00%
Southern Connecticut State University4.00%
Ohio State University4.00%
Texas Southern University4.00%

Best majors for sanitation inspectors

RankMajorPercentages
1Business22.2%
2Biology11.1%
3Public Health8.3%
4Culinary Arts8.3%
5Anthropology5.6%

Best colleges for sanitation inspectors

The best colleges for sanitation inspectors are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A sanitation 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 sanitation 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 sanitation inspectors.

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. Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$13,478

Enrollment

979

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

10. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

20 best online courses for sanitation inspectors

Advertising disclosure

1. Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors

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This specialization provides an overview of solar photovoltaics (PV), intricacies of solar system design, and a framework for solar PV project management. Targeted for engineers, HVAC installers, architects and building code inspectors, it is also appropriate for anyone considering a career in the growing renewable energy field of solar power. Courses introduce how PV operates and the anatomy of solar electric systems, the economics of solar power, pros and cons of different systems,...

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This course equips learners to identify national code and zoning rules specific to photovoltaic (PV) systems, as well as key design elements and points for inspection. Curriculum includes zoning variances, critical elements of the permitting process, planning documents necessary for PV system installation and recommendations for permitting offices to streamline the permit process. Learners gain a code inspector’s perspective in relation to building and electrical code requirements. This course...

3. Fun food safety and sanitation course

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4.6
(539)

The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...

4. HACCP-Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point Certification

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4.2
(301)

Food Safety Preventive Approach (HACCP System)...

5. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

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(976)

Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

6. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors

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The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...

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Standards, analysis, control points, and risk management related to ISO 22000 for food industry professionals...

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Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...

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20. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

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OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

Top 10 most affordable universities for sanitation inspectors

The most affordable schools for sanitation inspectors are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for sanitation 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 sanitation inspectors.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Cost of attendance

22,990

10. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for sanitation inspectors

The hardest universities for sanitation inspectors to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for sanitation 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 sanitation 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. 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. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

10. Brandeis University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

31%

SAT average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for sanitation inspectors

The easiest schools for sanitation inspectors to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a sanitation 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 sanitation inspectors.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

8. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

9. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

10. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

Average sanitation inspector salary by education level

According to our data, sanitation inspectors with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $73,648 annually. Sanitation inspectors with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $61,681.
Sanitation inspector education levelSanitation inspector salary
Master's Degree$61,681
High School Diploma or Less$39,175
Bachelor's Degree$52,633
Doctorate Degree$73,648
Some College/ Associate Degree$42,564

Sanitation inspector 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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