Design Engineering Technologies at Southeast Community College Area
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 Design Engineering Technologies 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 Design Engineering Technologies programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Design Engineering Technologies'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% Design Engineering Technologies 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.
Design Engineering Technologies offers 15 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Design Engineering Technologies 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% |
About Design Engineering Technologies Careers
Your career begins by transforming an engineer's rough sketch into a precise digital model. As an architectural drafter, you might spend your day in an office using software like Revit to create detailed blueprints for a new office building, then visit the construction site to verify measurements. As a mechanical drafter, you’d use SolidWorks to model a complex machine part, ensuring every tolerance is perfect for manufacturing.
Read the full Design Engineering Technologies career guide →
Compare & Explore
Design Engineering Technologies Overview
Design Engineering Technologies at Other Schools
Other Majors at Southeast Community College Area
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