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Drafting & Design Technology at Southern Maine Community College

South Portland, ME · Public · Associate Degree · Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

enrolling 5,279 students in South Portland, ME.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $45,319/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 66.5x 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.

At $11,377 in median debt against $45,319 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #13 ranking among 45 Drafting & Design Technology programs places Southern Maine Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

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

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
56
Score
58
High End
Earnings $45,319/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Medium (16,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$520K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
68.4x
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)
$7,594
Out-of-state: $13,354
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,377
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

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 Southern Maine Community College

Nursing ($67,850) Allied Health Professions ($64,549) Electrical Installation ($47,382) Criminal Justice ($44,869) Electrical Engineering Technology ($43,181) IT Management ($41,813) Medical Assisting ($40,964) Health Sciences ($39,347)

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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Drafting & Design Technology at Southern Maine Community College?
At 56/100, Southern Maine Community College's Drafting & Design Technology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
What's the AI risk for Drafting & Design Technology graduates from Southern Maine Community College?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $474,137 in decade earnings vs $519,532 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Drafting & Design Technology graduates from Southern Maine Community College?
At $11,377 in median debt, Drafting & Design Technology graduates from Southern Maine Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Drafting & Design Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Southern Maine Community College?
If Southern Maine 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 →