Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology

Spartan College's Quality Control program tells two very different stories depending on your frame of reference. Within Oklahoma, it's actually performing at the median—though with only two schools offering this program statewide, that comparison offers limited insight. Nationally, however, graduates earn $9,600 less than the typical program graduate, landing in just the 30th percentile. That gap is substantial for an associate's degree program where every dollar counts toward building financial security.

The debt picture adds an interesting wrinkle: at $16,631, it essentially matches the national median, meaning students aren't overpaying for the weaker earnings outcome. The 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, and graduates do see decent wage progression—18% growth over four years brings median earnings to $44,657. For a technical credential requiring two years of training, these numbers won't create financial hardship, but they won't create rapid wealth-building either.

The real question is opportunity cost. If your child is interested in quality control and aviation safety, this program provides accessible entry into the field without crushing debt. But families should recognize they're paying average prices for below-average outcomes compared to similar programs elsewhere. If location flexibility exists, exploring quality control programs at schools in the 50th percentile or higher nationally could mean $5,000-$10,000 more in annual earnings—a meaningful difference that compounds over a career.