Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College

A debt load around $13,000 for training that leads to $45,000 in first-year earnings represents a manageable financial picture, based on what similar drafting and design technology programs typically produce nationwide. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 means graduates would owe less than a third of their first-year salary—well within the range financial advisors consider reasonable for two-year technical degrees.

The challenge here is that both figures are estimates drawn from peer programs nationally, not actual outcomes from Harold Washington College graduates. With 476 schools nationwide offering this associate's degree, there's substantial variation in how well different programs prepare students for the job market. Illinois alone has 29 programs, and the actual starting salaries for drafters in Chicago—where cost of living runs higher than many parts of the country—could look different from the national median.

For a technical field like drafting and design, the specifics matter: software proficiency, industry connections, and whether the program emphasizes architectural, mechanical, or civil applications all influence employability. Without knowing how Harold Washington's program compares to others in the Chicago area, families are making this decision with limited visibility. If your child is committed to drafting as a career, verify what local employers think of this program's graduates and whether internship placements lead to job offers.