Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Front Range Community College

Front Range Community College's drafting certificate graduates start at $33,893—about $4,500 above the national median for this credential and right at Colorado's state median. With just $10,750 in debt, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32, meaning graduates owe roughly four months of their first-year salary. That's a manageable starting point for a technical field where hands-on experience often matters more than credentials.

The caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means one exceptional student or one struggling cohort can skew the picture significantly. The fact that debt sits in the 95th percentile nationally (meaning most programs saddle students with more debt) works in this program's favor, but it's worth noting Colorado has only seven schools offering this certificate, so your comparison options are limited. These earnings place graduates in the 75th percentile nationally, suggesting the program delivers competitive preparation despite being a community college credential.

For a parent weighing this option, the math works if your student has a clear path into drafting or CAD roles. The low debt load means even if earnings don't match this median, you're not facing years of financial stress. Just recognize this isn't a four-year engineering degree—it's a technical certificate designed for entry-level positions. If your child thrives with hands-on work and wants to skip the bachelor's degree debt, this represents a practical entry point into Colorado's technical workforce.