Drafting & Design Technology at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Perkinston, MS · Public · Associate Degree · Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

enrolling 6,231 students in Perkinston, MS.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,706 place Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College below the $42,040 national median for Drafting & Design Technology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 50.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Drafting & Design Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Drafting & Design Technology's career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $35,706 far exceeding the $11,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #26 of 45 Drafting & Design Technology programs, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Drafting & Design Technology offers 15 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
48
Score
50
High End
Earnings $35,706/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Medium (16,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$409K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
51.8x
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)
$7,900
Out-of-state: $14,500
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
3.7 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

Drafting & Design Technology opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Drafting & Design Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Drafting & Design Technology Overview

Drafting & Design Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Mississippi Gulf Coast 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 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's Drafting & Design Technology program score?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Drafting & Design Technology. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Should I worry about AI if I study Drafting & Design Technology at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College?
Our scenarios model 40% of Drafting & Design Technology tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's 48/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Is Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College a good choice for Drafting & Design Technology despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Drafting & Design Technology program at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College?
If Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 15 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Drafting & Design Technology. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →