Quality Assurance Masters Degrees: Best Programs, Jobs, and Salaries

Are you interested in advancing your career in quality assurance? One of the best ways to do it is to complete a quality assurance master’s degree, which can help you find better job opportunities and equip you with updated knowledge and skills to succeed in this field.

If you are looking for the best quality assurance master’s degrees, check out this comprehensive guide, which will show you the best online and on-campus programs, as well as the best jobs you can land with this qualification.

What Is Quality Assurance?

Quality assurance is a set of procedures for determining if a company’s products or services meet specified standards. Quality assurance is an interdisciplinary profession with numerous job roles in a variety of industries, from manufacturing to healthcare, services, food industries, and government.

The role of a quality assurance professional is to design, evaluate, supervise, and update the processes that lead to the creation of a product or service to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.

What Is a Quality Assurance Master’s Degree?

A quality assurance master’s degree typically lasts two years and it teaches students about the quality and regulatory procedures affecting the production and manufacturing processes in a variety of sectors from technology to service industries.

Students learn about the technical and administrative aspects of quality assurance such as quality project management, quality control, process improvement, and benchmarking. A degree in this area prepares students to prevent and correct mistakes in manufactured products and avoid problems when delivering products or services to customers.

Quality Assurance Master’s Degree Requirements

To enroll in a master’s degree program, prospective students typically need a bachelor’s degree in a related field, as well as an acceptable GPA, letters of recommendation, and a strong application letter. Some schools also require test scores during the application process. You can consult with an advisor to find out about the specific requirements for your selected program.

How Much Does a Quality Assurance Master’s Degree Cost?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics,

the average cost to obtain a master’s degree

in quality assurance is $19,314. Public institutions tend to cost less, with the average being $12,171. Private schools may charge as much as $25,929. The overall cost also depends on your living situation, costs of books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Quality Assurance Masters Degree Financing Options: How to Pay for Your Quality Assurance Degree

There are many financing options available to help you pursue your master’s degree. These options include public and private loans, grants, scholarships, and work and study schemes. Make sure to consult with your school to find out about the best options available for your specific situation.

Best Quality Assurance Masters Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Quality Assurance: Top Quality Assurance Masters Degree Programs

A quality assurance master’s degree can help you advance your career and secure better-paying positions in the industry of your choice. Read below to learn more about some of the best on-campus quality assurance programs available in the US.

Master of Technology Management with a concentration in quality systems

| Bowling Green State University

The Master of Technology Management degree from Bowling Green State University prepares students for job roles as leaders and managers. Students conduct applied research and embark on technical projects in an online team-based environment. The program focuses on quality management, lean and six sigma concepts, and quality system audits.

Master of Science in Quality Management

| Florida Institute of technology

The Florida Institute of Technology offers a Master of Science in Quality Management program specifically designed to provide solutions to operational and managerial issues in businesses. This program includes a practice-oriented capstone project that involves students sharing their real-life experiences during the course. The program focuses on ethical practices in the industry.

Master of Science in Biotechnology concentration in Quality Assurance

| Framingham State University

The College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) at Framingham State University provides industry-focused scientific and management training to students aiming to become professionals in quality systems through a professional master’s degree. The program also includes the option of a certificate in quality assurance in biotechnology.

Master of Science in Food Safety Regulations

| John Hopkins University

The Master’s Degree in Food Safety Regulations prepares students to work in administration, scientific, and leadership job roles in the food industries. Students also learn quality concepts and advanced methods to work as quality assurance experts in a wide range of job positions in health, production, law, research, and life sciences.

Master of Science in Regulatory Compliance

| Northwestern University

This program prepares students to work in healthcare, life sciences, and clinical research. It is an interdisciplinary program that covers compliance, risk management, quality science, and enforcement, as well as leadership and communication skills. Students choose between three tracks, namely healthcare compliance, clinical research, and quality and regulatory science.

Master of Science in Quality Assurance

| San Jose State University

The Master of Science in Quality Assurance program equips students with technical skills in quality systems development, quality function management, and various quality systems standards. This program teaches theoretical and analytical techniques and prepares students to earn the global Six-Sigma Certification through the American Society for Quality.

Master of Science in Quality Engineering and Management

| South Illinois University Carbondale

The college of engineering, computing, technology, and mathematics at the South Illinois University Carbondale offers a masters of science degree in quality engineering and management.

The program aims to develop professionals who can plan, oversee, and design quality systems in the production sector in order to increase productivity, optimize resources, and improve product quality. Students take main and elective courses in quality assurance, lean manufacturing, human factor techniques, project management, and reliability.

Master of Science in Quality and Engineering Management

| Tarleton University

Tarleton State University currently offers a master’s degree program in quality and engineering management for students. This program provides students with an engaging platform to develop needed skills to create a successful career in manufacturing and quality systems. They also have an online master’s program for students who prefer distance learning.

Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs and Quality Affairs (RAQA)

| Temple University

Temple University is one of the first universities to start a graduate program in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs. Students learn in over 50 classes where they gain real-world experience in quality organization, regulatory intelligence, patient safety and quality, benefit-risk assessment, and more.

Master of Science in Medical Product Quality

| University of Southern California

The master’s program at the University of Southern California was designed for students with a background in biomedical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical engineering. The program aims to teach students theoretical concepts in current and future regulations involving product quality. Students also learn tools and skills they would use to thrive in their careers.

Best Online Quality Assurance Masters Degree Programs and Schools: Overview

Best Colleges for Quality Assurance: Top Online Quality Assurance Masters Degree Programs

Students can also pursue a Master’s Degree in Quality Assurance in an online learning environment from their own homes. The online format allows them to take online programs often at a more flexible pace. Here are some of the best online quality assurance master’s degree programs.

Master of Engineering in Quality, Reliability, and Statistical Engineering

| Arizona State University

This online degree teaches specialized online courses with a major emphasis on basic engineering and statistics. Graduates of this program gain technical skills to delve into a wide range of fields such as engineering design, supply chain operations, product and process development, logistics, manufacturing, and distribution.

Master of Science in Quality Assurance

|  California State University, Dominguez Hills

This program at CSU Dominguez Hills is a 33-credit hour degree that teaches relevant quality assurance concepts such as quality cost analysis, IS0 9000 standards, total quality management, organizational systems, quality control, and human factors in quality assurance.

The curriculum is constantly updated by industry professionals to ensure organizational competitiveness. Online students from this program gain practical knowledge in the technical and administrative foundations of the field.

Master of Science in Health Sciences in Healthcare Quality and Regulatory Affairs

| George Washington University

George Washington University’s school of medicine and health sciences offers an online master of science in health sciences and an MSHS in regulatory affairs. These programs were specifically designed for healthcare professionals looking to enter leadership roles in healthcare quality, patient safety, and research.

Master of Science in Nursing with a Healthcare Quality Management track

| MidAmerica Nazarene University

The school of professional and graduate studies at MidAmerica Nazarene University offers an online Master of Science in Nursing degree which includes healthcare quality management courses. Program students are educated on how to competently evaluate quality systems through the 39-credit hour degree program.

Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs with specialization in Quality Assurance and Compliance

|  Northeastern University

The college of professional studies at Northeastern University offers an online master’s degree in regulatory affairs with a specialization in quality assurance and compliance. Graduates from this program learn to manage and create regulatory processes for organizations that develop and innovate products in medicine and science.

Master of Science in Regulatory Compliance (MSRC)

| Northwestern University

Northwestern University offers an online Master of Science degree at the school of professional studies. Students learn regulatory compliance practices that can be applied in healthcare, clinical research, and life science. The curriculum emphasizes the practical application of quality and regulatory science, healthcare compliance, and clinical research.

Master of Science in Strategic Management: Quality Systems

| Oakland City University

Students in this online education program learn advanced concepts of quality assurance such as business research methods, testing techniques, quality management systems, six sigma principles, and marketing management. The program requirements consist of 30-credit hours split into ten courses that prepare students for a career as a

quality assurance engineer

.

Master of Science in Quality Engineering

|  Purdue University

The college of engineering at Purdue University currently offers an online Master of Science degree with an emphasis in quality engineering. This is a 30-credit hour program of core courses and special elective courses, specifically created for quality professionals who want to build skills that are applicable in a wide range of industries.

Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety

| the University of Alabama at Birmingham

Students looking to pursue a quality assurance master’s degree in the healthcare field can sign up for the online Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety at the School of Health Professions in the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

This advanced education program is specially designed to help graduate students learn vital technical techniques they can integrate into the day-to-day activities of their profession to improve their current practices.

Master of Science and Graduate Certificate in Regulatory Science

| University of Maryland, Baltimore County

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County offers a master’s and a graduate certificate in regulatory science. These programs teach students the skills and knowledge they need to implement quality assurance practices in drug production and biology-related fields.

What’s the Average Quality Assurance Master’s Degree Salary?

According to Payscale,

workers with a master’s degree in quality assurance earn

an average salary of around $93,000. However, annual wage greatly depends on job role, location, experience level, and industry.

Top Quality Assurance Masters Degree Jobs and Salaries: Overview

Best Quality Assurance Masters Degree Jobs Explained

Vice President of Quality

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $158,265
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  -12%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  557,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Alaska, Washington DC, North Dakota, Washington

A vice president of quality monitors the quality performance of products and services and sets economic parameters. They analyze production processes to ensure compliance with guidelines and regulations. They also liaise with stakeholders to deliver project updates and ensure the overall success of production processes.

Senior Quality Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $113,716
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  -12%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  557,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Alaska, Washington DC, North Dakota, Washington

Senior quality managers analyze and inspect products and services to ensure that they satisfy corresponding specifications, industry standards, and business metrics. They collaborate with analysts to evaluate quality control procedures to optimize product quality.

Director of Quality

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $113,487
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  -12%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  557,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Alaska, Washington DC, North Dakota, Washington

The director of quality controls all operations in the quality assurance department. They conduct research and assessment to ensure that products used by the company comply with industry and company standards, and make sure that the department remains on budget.

Quality Analysts

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $110,140
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  
  22%
  
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  1,847,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, New York, Massachusetts

Quality analysts implement quality assurance principles in software development. They plan, implement and ensure that products adhere to set deadlines. They work in software development, manufacturing, and customer service.

Supplier Quality Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $103,857
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  -12%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  557,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Alaska, Washington DC, North Dakota, Washington

Supplier quality manager oversees the operations and daily activities of the supplier quality department. They monitor the operational performance of suppliers and supplier control systems, and create strategies to improve efficiency, quality, customer satisfaction, and organization value.

Quality Assurance Manager

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $80,555
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  -12%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  557,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Alaska, Washington DC, North Dakota, Washington

These dedicated professionals lead a team of quality control inspectors and specialists.  They test and sample products to ensure that they meet the required standards. They also develop quality control policies for the organization. This job is a good option if you are interested in a managerial career track.

Quality Assurance Tester

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $74,570
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  22%**
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  1,847,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Washington, California, New York, Massachusetts

Quality Assurance testers ensure that new and existing programs meet customers’ expectations and industry standards. They often work in the tech industry to test programs to identify bugs, glitches, and other underlying technical issues that may prevent a good user experience.

Quality Engineer

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $72,531
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  -12%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  557,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Alaska, Washington DC, North Dakota, Washington

This quality professional collaborates with manufacturers, project managers, and the quality assurance and control teams to develop processes and systems that fulfill quality standards and meet safety regulations.

Quality Control Supervisor

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $53,093
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  -12%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  557,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Alaska, Washington DC, North Dakota, Washington

Quality control supervisors coordinate the inspection of materials, equipment, and products to ensure that they meet established quality standards. They also formulate quality control policies and procedures for the production process.

Quality Coordinator

• 
  Average Salary:
  
  $43,251
• 
  Job Outlook:
  
  -12%*
• 
  Number of Jobs:
  
  557,900
• 
  Highest-Paying States:
  
  Alaska, Washington DC, North Dakota, Washington

Quality coordinators inspect and ensure that raw materials, manufacturing processes, and finished products comply with current regulatory and quality standards. They also provide other departments with quality planning and support.

*Job data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report on quality control inspectors.

**Job data from the BLS report on software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.

Quality Assurance Bootcamp vs Quality Assurance Master’s Degree: Which Is Better?

The answer to this question depends on your educational preferences, learning styles, and desired outcomes.

Quality assurance bootcamps

offer short and intensive programs that aim to equip students with the necessary job-ready skills to begin their careers, particularly in the tech sector.

A quality assurance master’s degree, on the other hand, teaches advanced quality assurance concepts with a more interdisciplinary approach to prepare students for advanced roles in a variety of fields. Read below to find out about the benefits of each path.

Benefits of a Quality Assurance Master’s Degree

• 
  It helps students gain a competitive edge.
  
  It is becoming more important for quality assurance professionals to earn a master’s degree so they can remain competitive in the labor market.
• 
  Specialized Knowledge.
  
  A Master’s degree learning experience helps students to gain specialized knowledge in quality assurance. This can help them succeed in whatever aspect of quality assurance best fits their interests.
• 
  Career Advancement.
  
  A Master’s degree makes it easier to attain leadership positions in the field. Many organizations prefer to hire candidates who have a master’s degree.
• 
  Increased Salary.
  
  A master’s degree opens career pathways to more lucrative job roles. An employee with a master’s degree stands to earn higher pay than an undergraduate degree holder.
• 
  Larger Professional Network.
  
  A master’s degree program offers networking opportunities. It allows you to connect with fellow students who are professionals from different backgrounds. Students also learn under the guidance of renowned experts.

Benefits of a Quality Assurance Bootcamp

• 
  Students learn the exact skills that employers are looking for.
  
  Quality assurance bootcamps equip students with essential skills to become technical professionals and open career opportunities in the tech world.
• 
  Self-paced Courses.
  
  Many quality assurance bootcamps offer courses that are scheduled based on the time availability and learning pace of the students.
• 
  Post-graduation career services.
  
  Even after graduation, students often benefit from career services that help them to land jobs and strategically position themselves in the industry. These services might include mock interviews, career fairs, and resume assistance.
• 
  Different Financing Options.
  
  Quality assurance bootcamps offer innovative financing options such as income share agreements, deferred tuition, and private loans to help students pay for their education.

Should You Get a Masters Degree in Quality Assurance?

If you are interested in working in upper-level quality assurance positions, you should gain a Master’s Degree in Quality Assurance.

A master’s degree

can be the catalyst to accelerate your career growth and connect with new opportunities. You can gain practical skills, apply for more advanced job roles, and become a valuable asset in any organization.

Quality Assurance Masters Degree FAQ