Drafting & Design Technology at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Fergus Falls, MN · Public · Associate Degree · Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

a compact campus enrolling 2,875 students in Fergus Falls, MN.

Program Analysis

Minnesota State Community and Technical College's Drafting & Design Technology graduates start at $44,988/yr — above the $42,040 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 42.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,341 in median debt clears fast against $44,988 in annual earnings.

A #24 ranking among 45 Drafting & Design Technology programs places Minnesota State Community and Technical College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

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

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
51
Score
53
High End
Earnings $44,988/yr (7% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Medium (16,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$516K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
43.7x
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
$11,800
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,341
3.0 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

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

Drafting & Design Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Drafting & Design Technology at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
At 51/100, the score looks reasonable — but Drafting & Design Technology is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
What's the AI risk for Drafting & Design Technology graduates from Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
Our scenarios model 40% of Drafting & Design Technology tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Minnesota State Community and Technical College's 51/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
How affordable is Drafting & Design Technology at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
Median debt of just $11,341 against $44,988/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Drafting & Design Technology graduates?
Beyond Minnesota State Community and Technical 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 →