WhatGradsMake
Certificate (under 1 year)-7% vs national median70 grads tracked

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Richland Community College

Ranked 47th of 77 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$42,838
middle 50%: $31,537 – $57,208
Median · 5 years out
$55,817
middle 50%: $39,196 – $78,843
Median · 10 years out
$71,899
middle 50%: $48,487 – $94,869

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Richland Community College's certificate (under 1 year) program in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians earn a median $42,838 one year after graduating, rising to $71,899 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% below the national median of $59,848 for this field, ranking 47th of 77 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
7.3 yrs
≈ $8,310 total interest

Same major at other universities

Other majors at Richland Community College

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