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Drafting & Design Technology at Houston Community College

Houston, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

with 37,970 students enrolled in Houston, TX.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $45,548/yr, edging above the $42,040 national average for Drafting & Design Technology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 133.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Drafting & Design Technology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At #4 of 45 programs, this Drafting & Design Technology program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

A 21% earnings increase from $45,548 to $55,016 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 15 apprenticeship pathways connected to Drafting & Design Technology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
63
Score
65
High End
Earnings $45,548/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Medium (16,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$568K
4.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
139.3x
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)
$4,080
Out-of-state: $10,920
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,016
21% growth from Year 1

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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Drafting & Design Technology careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering engineering & technology.

Read the full Drafting & Design Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Drafting & Design Technology Overview

View all 45 schools offering Drafting & Design Technology →

Drafting & Design Technology at Other Schools

Utah Valley University ($55,893) Dunwoody College of Technology ($55,512) Portland Community College ($54,198) Northcentral Technical College ($53,105) Austin Community College District ($50,584) Grand Rapids Community College ($49,865) State Technical College of Missouri ($49,789) Hennepin Technical College ($49,539)

Other Majors at Houston Community College

Allied Health Professions ($67,098) Nursing ($66,743) Allied Health Professions ($64,648) Engineering Science ($61,518) Physical Science Technology ($60,612) Criminal Justice ($56,454) Dental Assisting ($56,005) Clinical Laboratory Science ($48,172)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Drafting & Design Technology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 63/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Drafting & Design Technology at Houston Community College?
A score of 63/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Drafting & Design Technology field.
How vulnerable is Drafting & Design Technology to AI automation?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $476,532 in decade earnings vs $568,497 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Drafting & Design Technology graduates?
Yes — 15 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Drafting & Design Technology career paths, including Design Drafter, Electromec. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Houston Community College.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →