Drafting & Design Technology at Valencia College

Orlando, FL · Public · Associate Degree · Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians

serving a student body of 35,125 in Orlando, FL.

Program Analysis

Valencia College's Drafting & Design Technology graduates start at $45,701/yr — above the $42,040 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 102.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Drafting & Design Technology graduates.

Ranked #5 out of 45 programs, Valencia College's Drafting & Design Technology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

With 15 registered apprenticeships mapped to Drafting & Design Technology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

61 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
61
Score
63
High End
Earnings $45,701/yr (9% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Medium (16,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$524K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
105.9x
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)
$4,948
Out-of-state: $18,766

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 Valencia College? 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

Drafting & Design Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Valencia College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Drafting & Design Technology at Valencia College?
A score of 61/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Drafting & Design Technology field.
What's the AI risk for Drafting & Design Technology graduates from Valencia College?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $478,136 in decade earnings vs $523,910 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Valencia College's Drafting & Design Technology program stand out?
The #5 ranking out of 45 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Drafting & Design Technology graduates?
Beyond Valencia 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 →