Design Engineering Technologies at College of Western Idaho
with a mid-sized student body of 5,898 in Nampa, ID.
Program Analysis
College of Western Idaho's Design Engineering Technologies graduates start at $48,988/yr — above the $42,040 national average, though not by a wide margin.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 177.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Design Engineering Technologies programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Design Engineering Technologies's career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $7,375 in median debt clears fast against $48,988 in annual earnings.
At #1 of 45 nationally, this is a top-5% Design Engineering Technologies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $48,988 to $60,009 over five years — a 22% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.
Design Engineering Technologies offers 15 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Design Engineering Technologies graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and electronics drafters | $73,720 | -5.6% | 43% |
| Mechanical drafters | $68,510 | -6.5% | 50% |
| Architectural and civil drafters | $64,280 | +4.1% | 46% |
About Design Engineering Technologies Careers
Your career begins by transforming an engineer's rough sketch into a precise digital model. As an architectural drafter, you might spend your day in an office using software like Revit to create detailed blueprints for a new office building, then visit the construction site to verify measurements. As a mechanical drafter, you’d use SolidWorks to model a complex machine part, ensuring every tolerance is perfect for manufacturing.
Read the full Design Engineering Technologies career guide →
Compare & Explore
Design Engineering Technologies Overview
Design Engineering Technologies at Other Schools
Other Majors at College of Western Idaho
Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree
Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.