Architectural Sciences and Technology at Dunwoody College of Technology

Dunwoody's architectural technology program posts impressive earnings that outperform 95% of similar programs nationally, with first-year graduates earning $44,690—well above the national median of $42,331. The growth trajectory looks solid too, with earnings jumping 20% to $53,459 by year four. However, there's a significant caveat: only two schools in Minnesota offer this associate's degree, and this program's graduates sit at the 60th percentile within the state, suggesting the local market conditions may be driving these numbers as much as the program itself.

The debt picture is reasonable at $18,500, translating to a manageable 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio. This is right at the national median for architectural technology programs, meaning your child won't be overloaded with debt relative to their earning potential. The near-universal admission rate and Pell grant data indicate Dunwoody serves a broad range of students, which makes the strong outcomes more noteworthy.

The critical limitation here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means one exceptional or struggling student can swing these numbers significantly. For a family considering this program, the key question is whether your child wants to work in Minnesota's architecture sector long-term. If yes, these earnings are competitive locally and the debt load is manageable. Just recognize you're evaluating a program with limited tracking data, so visiting campus and connecting with current students becomes especially important.