WhatGradsMake
Associate-16% vs national median91 grads tracked

Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Northwest College

Ranked 135th of 159 associate programs in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$40,568
middle 50%: $27,333 – $54,404
Median · 5 years out
$48,829
middle 50%: $26,371 – $68,891
Median · 10 years out
$60,442
middle 50%: $47,574 – $91,987

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (associate) graduates.

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

Graduates of Northwest College's associate program in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians earn a median $40,568 one year after graduating, rising to $60,442 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 16% below the national median of $57,805 for this field, ranking 135th of 159 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
8.2 yrs
≈ $9,351 total interest

Same major at other universities

Southern Maine Community College
$49,789 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 4
$49,789 · 5 yrs out
Mohawk Valley Community College - SUNY Office of Community Colleges
$49,703 · 5 yrs out
Kaskaskia College
$49,269 · 5 yrs out
North Central State College
$49,008 · 5 yrs out
Hocking Technical College
$48,943 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Maine Community College
$48,791 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
Spartanburg Community College
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
Central Texas College District
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 6
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
Washington State Community College
$48,487 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Northwest College

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (Certificate)
$79,471 · 5 yrs out
Journalism (Certificate)
$79,471 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Associate)
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Associate)
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$73,904 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$70,641 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate)
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Associate)
$60,272 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Associate)
$60,272 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$57,471 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Certificate)
$57,471 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate)
$49,659 · 5 yrs out

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