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Drafting & Design Technology at St Cloud Technical and Community College

Saint Cloud, MN · Public · Associate Degree · Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

a compact campus enrolling 2,808 students in Saint Cloud, MN.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $45,565/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 48.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 2% 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 $8,008 in median debt against $45,565 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #21 ranking among 45 Drafting & Design Technology programs places St Cloud Technical and Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $45,565 to $48,228 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
52
Score
54
High End
Earnings $45,565/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Medium (16,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$486K
1.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
49.0x
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
$9,914
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,008
2.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,228
6% 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

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 St Cloud Technical and Community College

Allied Health Professions ($65,019) Electromechanical Technology ($63,348) Nursing ($59,395) HVAC Technology ($57,178) Vehicle Repair Technology ($51,478) Precision Metalworking ($49,636) Electrical Installation ($48,478) Vehicle Repair Technology ($45,960)

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

How does St Cloud Technical and Community College's Drafting & Design Technology program score?
This program scores 52/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Drafting & Design Technology graduates.
Should I worry about AI if I study Drafting & Design Technology at St Cloud Technical and Community College?
AI exposure of 40% is a real factor. For St Cloud Technical and Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($486,122) and pessimistic ($476,711) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
How affordable is Drafting & Design Technology at St Cloud Technical and Community College?
At $8,008 in median debt, Drafting & Design Technology graduates from St Cloud Technical and Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Drafting & Design Technology through an apprenticeship instead of St Cloud Technical and Community College?
Beyond St Cloud Technical and Community 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 →