Best Schools for Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates earn a median of $72,318 within four years of graduating, ranking #68 out of 283 tracked majors — 16% above the median across all fields. There are 9 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 449 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Western Michigan University graduates earn $84,622 while Murray State University graduates earn $58,862 — a $25,760 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates see an average 1% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$72,318

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#68

of 283 Majors

449

Graduates

Public vs Private: Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

Public (7 schools)

$72,059

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (2 schools)

$77,517

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $5,458 more in early earnings on average for Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians by State

Top Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians Schools by Graduate Earnings

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI · Public

$84,622

4yr Earnings

29 grads · small sample

2yr: $60,771 (28)

1yr: $68,647 (33)

Acceptance: 84.7%

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI · Public

$84,064

4yr Earnings

23 grads · small sample

1yr: $74,597 (19)

Acceptance: 91.0%

Trine University

Angola, IN · Private

Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses

Angola, IN · Private

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, MO · Public

Indiana University-Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN · Public

Murray State University

Murray, KY · Public

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI · Public

$69,338

2yr Earnings

24 grads · small sample

1yr: $64,898 (24)

Grads: 24

Acceptance: 81.3%

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public

$45,277

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 90.1%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Management Information Systems and Services $54,009 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies $53,947 Science Technologies/Technicians, Other $53,264 Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management $53,105 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods $52,849 Science, Technology and Society $52,496

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians?

Western Michigan University ranks #1 for Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians with median graduate earnings of $84,622 within four years of graduating. There are 9 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates earn an average of $72,318 within four years of graduating. This is 16% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $58,862 to $84,622 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians program?

The average acceptance rate across Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs is 76.6%. The most selective program is at Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses with a 21.6% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians?

Private Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs average $77,517 in early earnings vs $72,059 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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