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Drafting & Design Technology at State Technical College of Missouri

Linn, MO · Public · Associate Degree · Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

a smaller institution with 2,023 students in Linn, MO.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $49,789/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 35.4x 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 $11,700 in median debt against $49,789 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #25 ranking among 45 Drafting & Design Technology programs places State Technical College of Missouri in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

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

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
50
Score
52
High End
Earnings $49,789/yr (18% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Medium (16,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$50K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
36.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$15,660
Out-of-state: $28,200
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,700
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,101
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

Explore what Drafting & Design Technology graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 45 programs nationwide.

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) Hennepin Technical College ($49,539) College of Western Idaho ($49,508)

Other Majors at State Technical College of Missouri

Heavy Equipment Technology ($55,282) Electrical Installation ($54,080) Ground Transportation ($50,941) Electrical Engineering Technology ($50,931) Radiologic Technology ($49,762) Allied Health Professions ($47,669) Precision Metalworking ($47,325) HVAC Technology ($43,723)

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 State Technical College of Missouri's Drafting & Design Technology program score?
This program scores 50/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Drafting & Design Technology programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $520,904 in decade earnings vs $570,775 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Drafting & Design Technology graduates from State Technical College of Missouri?
Median debt of just $11,700 against $49,789/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Are there apprenticeship options for Drafting & Design Technology?
Yes — 15 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Drafting & Design Technology career paths, including Design Drafter, Electromec. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at State Technical College of Missouri.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →