Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Northern Virginia Community College
Ranked 1st of 77 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians by 5-year earnings.
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.
Graduates of Northern Virginia Community College's certificate (under 1 year) program in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians earn a median $53,384 one year after graduating, rising to $80,325 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 34% above the national median of $59,848 for this field, ranking 1st 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).