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Water quality specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a water quality specialist. Water quality specialists usually study environmental science, biology, or business. 64% of water quality specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 390 real water quality specialist resumes to see exactly what water quality specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for water quality specialists are the Colorado State University and the Colorado State University.
There are also many online water quality specialist courses to help get the education required to be a water quality specialist.
What education do you need to become a water quality specialist?
What degree do you need to be a water quality specialist?
- Bachelor's, 64%
- Associate, 11%
- Master's, 10%
- High School Diploma, 10%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a water quality specialist?
Most common colleges for water quality specialists
| Water quality specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Colorado State University | 11.32% |
| University of Maine | 7.55% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 7.55% |
| Rowan University | 5.66% |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | 5.66% |
Best majors for water quality specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Environmental Science | 19.2% |
| 2 | Biology | 16.9% |
| 3 | Business | 12.4% |
| 4 | Chemistry | 7.9% |
| 5 | Ecology, Population Biology, And Epidemiology | 6.8% |
Best colleges for water quality specialists
The best colleges for water quality specialists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A water quality specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for water quality specialists. 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 water quality specialists.
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. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
7. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
10. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
20 best online courses for water quality specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Sustainable Urban Water Systems
The MOOC “Sustainable Urban Water Systems” aims to provide knowledge about modern and sustainable solutions for urban water management in water-sensitive cities. The focus is on stormwater control and water supply strategies for the mitigation of effects on the water cycles due to human settlements and climate change. In particular, the integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into urban drainage systems, the use of alternative water resources, and the reduction of losses and waste, make...
2. Climate Change and Water in Mountains: A Global Concern
What is climate change ? How are mountain regions affected by the evolution of water resources and their uses ? What kind of risks need to be considered ? Mountains are recognized as particularly sensitive physical environments where intense and rapid changes have in the past, and may increasingly in the future, place pressure on their resource base. In this context, a team of roughly 100 experts worked from 2008 to 2013 for the European ACQWA project (www.acqwa.ch) which was coordinated by the...
3. Design of Water Treatment Systems for Beginners
Learn how to fully design a water treatment system for small to medium scale projects...
4. Water Treatment Process Design
design water treatment& RO/NF plants, sand& multimedia filter, iron& manganese removal filter, Ion exchange DI& softener...
5. Education on climate change: water and soil
This course delves into the connection between water, climate change, and how living organisms adapt to these shifts. It also explores concepts related to agriculture, food, and food sovereignty. Additionally, it introduces a range of online games that enhance the integration and practical application of the developing conceptual knowledge...
6. Total Data Quality
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...
7. Data Quality Fundamentals
Understand key concepts, principles and terminology related to Data Quality...
8. Data Warehouse ETL Testing & Data Quality Management A-Z
ETL Testing and Data Quality Management for beginners with practical exercises and certificate of completion...
9. GIS Data Formats, Design and Quality
In this course, the second in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialization, you will go in-depth with common data types (such as raster and vector data), structures, quality and storage during four week-long modules: Week 1: Learn about data models and formats, including a full understanding of vector data and raster concepts. You will also learn about the implications of a data’s scale and how to load layers from web services. Week 2: Create a vector data model by using vector...
10. Measuring Total Data Quality
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...
11. Data Quality Masterclass - The Complete Course
Learn Data Quality Management from A to Z. This complete guide covers all Data Quality Principles, Techniques and more...
12. Cost of Quality Analysis and Reporting using Microsoft Excel
Expertly collect, analyze and present quality cost data (using Microsoft Excel) to help drive continual improvement...
13. The Total Data Quality Framework
By the end of this first course in the Total Data Quality specialization, learners will be able to: 1. Identify the essential differences between designed and gathered data and summarize the key dimensions of the Total Data Quality (TDQ) Framework; 2. Define the three measurement dimensions of the Total Data Quality framework, and describe potential threats to data quality along each of these dimensions for both gathered and designed data; 3. Define the three representation dimensions of the...
14. Quality Systems, Models and Theories
Understand, Develop and Implement Quality Systems for Success and Profit...
15. ISO9001 Quality Management System
Learn why your business should be using Quality Management TODAY and create your own QMS (Quality Management System)...
16. Quality Assurance Mastery - Manual Software Testing
Become Quality Assurance Engineer as a Complete Beginner. QA Masterclass for Junior QA Engineers...
17. Certified Quality Process Analyst Training
Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) Exam Preparation Course - Confidently Pass the Exam on the First Attempt...
18. Data Center Essentials: Mechanical & Cooling
The mechanical cooling systems that support data centers and the internet...
19. Quality Management Systems:Management and Control of Quality
Learn to Build, Implement, and Sustain a Performance Excellence Culture into Your Organisation...
20. Tableau Data Analyst/Specialist Desktop Certification
From beginners to skills needed for Data Analyst or Desktop Specialist certifications. Tableau 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020...
Top 10 most affordable universities for water quality specialists
The most affordable schools for water quality specialists are University of Florida, california state university - bakersfield, and suny farmingdale.
If the best universities for water quality specialists 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 water quality specialists.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
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. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
8. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
9. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
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 water quality specialists
The hardest universities for water quality specialists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for water quality specialists 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 water quality specialists 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. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
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. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,448
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for water quality specialists
The easiest schools for water quality specialists to get into are Wayland Baptist University, curry college, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a water quality specialist 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 water quality specialists.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
6. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
7. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
8. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
9. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
10. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
Average water quality specialist salary by education level
| Water quality specialist education level | Water quality specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $66,540 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $46,854 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $59,271 |
| Doctorate Degree | $71,231 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $49,388 |
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025