Drafting & Design Technology at Front Range Community College

Westminster, CO · Public · Certificate · Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

with a mid-sized student body of 11,132 in Westminster, CO.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,893 place Front Range Community College below the $42,040 national median for Drafting & Design Technology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 79.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Drafting & Design Technology graduates.

With first-year pay of $33,893 far exceeding the $10,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #19 out of 45 programs, Front Range Community College's Drafting & Design Technology offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

With 15 registered apprenticeships mapped to Drafting & Design Technology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
52
Score
55
High End
Earnings $33,893/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Medium (16,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$389K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
82.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,740
Out-of-state: $16,974
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,750
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Drafting & Design Technology 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%
Electrical and electronics drafters
$73,720
-5.6% growth 43% AI-proof
Mechanical drafters
$68,510
-6.5% growth 50% AI-proof
Architectural and civil drafters
$64,280
+4.1% growth 46% AI-proof

View all 4 career paths with full salary data →

Drafting & Design Technology Career Guide

What can you do with a Drafting & Design Technology credential from Front Range Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Drafting & Design Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Drafting & Design Technology Overview

Drafting & Design Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Front Range Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Front Range Community College's Drafting & Design Technology program score?
At 52/100, Front Range Community College's Drafting & Design Technology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Drafting & Design Technology at Front Range Community College?
AI exposure of 40% is a real factor. For Front Range Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($388,546) and pessimistic ($354,595) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Is Front Range Community College a good choice for Drafting & Design Technology despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Front Range Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Drafting & Design Technology?
Beyond Front Range Community College's classroom route, 15 registered apprenticeships map to Drafting & Design Technology careers — including Design Drafter, Electromec. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →