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Drafting & Design Technology at Dunwoody College of Technology

Minneapolis, MN · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

Dunwoody College of Technology has a 98% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 1,417 students in Minneapolis, MN.

Program Analysis

Dunwoody College of Technology Drafting & Design Technology graduates command $55,512/yr out of the gate, well above the $42,040 national median. That 32% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 14.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 28% 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $16,000 in median debt clears fast against $55,512 in annual earnings.

A #31 ranking among 45 Drafting & Design Technology programs places Dunwoody College of Technology in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 36% earnings increase from $55,512 to $75,599 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
41
Low End
46
Score
48
High End
Earnings $55,512/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Medium (16,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$805K
8.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
15.7x
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
$51,318
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,000
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,599
36% 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

What can you do with a Drafting & Design Technology credential from Dunwoody College of Technology? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

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) 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) College of Western Idaho ($49,508)

Other Majors at Dunwoody College of Technology

Allied Health Professions ($65,457) Electromechanical Technology ($62,790) Construction Management Technology ($59,074) Precision Metalworking ($55,188) Software Development ($52,264) Electrical Installation ($47,888) Computer Networking ($47,217) HVAC Technology ($47,076)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Drafting & Design Technology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Dunwoody College of Technology's Drafting & Design Technology program score?
This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Drafting & Design Technology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Should I worry about AI if I study Drafting & Design Technology at Dunwoody College of Technology?
AI won't eliminate Drafting & Design Technology careers, but it may reshape them. At Dunwoody College of Technology, a score of 46/100 already accounts for the 40% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
What's the typical debt for Drafting & Design Technology graduates from Dunwoody College of Technology?
Median debt of just $16,000 against $55,512/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.
Can I learn Drafting & Design Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Dunwoody College of Technology?
Beyond Dunwoody College of Technology'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 →