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Design Engineering Technologies 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 Design Engineering Technologies — 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 Design Engineering Technologies 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 Design Engineering Technologies 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 Design Engineering Technologies 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 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%
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 →

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

View all 45 schools offering Design Engineering Technologies →

Design Engineering Technologies 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/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies ($55,282) Electrical and Power Transmission Installers ($54,080) Ground Transportation ($50,941) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($50,931) Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians ($49,762) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($47,669) Precision Metal Working ($47,325) Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) ($43,723)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Design Engineering Technologies 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 Design Engineering Technologies program score?
This program scores 50/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Design Engineering Technologies programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How vulnerable is Design Engineering Technologies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Design Engineering Technologies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 40% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
What's the typical debt for Design Engineering Technologies 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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Design Engineering Technologies graduates?
There are 15 registered apprenticeships connected to Design Engineering Technologies occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →