Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Century College

Similar programs across Minnesota suggest that Century College's drafting and design program produces first-year earnings around $47,500—solidly in the middle of the state's range and above the national median. That figure comes from just four Minnesota programs with reported data, putting Century near competitors like Hennepin Technical but trailing Dunwoody's $55,500. The estimated debt load of about $13,600 translates to a manageable 0.29 ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly 29 cents for every dollar earned in year one.

The practical picture looks reasonable for an associate's degree in a technical field. Comparable Minnesota programs produce earnings that should cover this debt burden within the first year or two of employment, assuming graduates find steady work in drafting or design roles. The fact that one-third of Century students receive Pell grants suggests many families here are price-sensitive, which makes that moderate debt estimate especially relevant.

The caveat is real: with actual outcomes suppressed due to small graduate numbers, you're betting on Century delivering results similar to its Minnesota peers. If the program places graduates well locally and maintains industry connections typical of technical colleges, the estimated financial picture should hold. But smaller cohorts can mean fewer employer relationships and less consistent outcomes year to year, so direct conversations with the department about job placement rates and local employer partnerships matter more here than the statewide averages suggest.