Drafting & Design Technology at Southeast Community College Area

Lincoln, NE · Public · Associate Degree · Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

with a mid-sized student body of 6,235 in Lincoln, NE.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $41,599 track close to the $42,040 national median for Drafting & Design Technology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 79.1x 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 28% gap from the optimistic case.

At #10 of 45 nationally, this is a top-5% Drafting & Design Technology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $41,599 to $56,867 over five years — a 37% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
57
Score
59
High End
Earnings $41,599/yr (-1% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Medium (16,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$606K
8.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
85.6x
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)
$7,080
Out-of-state: $8,520
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,867
37% 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

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

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Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 57/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Drafting & Design Technology at Southeast Community College Area?
This program scores 57/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Drafting & Design Technology graduates.
Will AI affect Drafting & Design Technology careers?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $435,217 in decade earnings vs $606,348 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Southeast Community College Area one of the best schools for Drafting & Design Technology?
The #10 ranking out of 45 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Drafting & Design Technology graduates?
Beyond Southeast Community College Area'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 →