Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Hennepin Technical College

Hennepin Technical College's drafting program graduates earn nearly $50,000 in their first year—outperforming three-quarters of similar programs nationwide and sitting comfortably above Minnesota's median of $47,552. More importantly, earnings climb to $58,000 by year four, showing genuine career progression rather than the flat trajectory seen at many technical programs. The debt load of $20,250 is higher than both state and national medians, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 means graduates need less than five months of gross income to cover what they borrowed—a manageable burden given these salary levels.

The wrinkle here is positioning within Minnesota's drafting landscape. While Hennepin charges more than most state competitors, only Dunwoody College produces consistently higher earners. You're paying roughly $5,500 more in debt than you would at St. Cloud Tech or Minnesota State, but your child starts with $4,000-$5,000 more in annual income—and that gap widens over time. The 17% earnings growth suggests employers value the skills Hennepin emphasizes.

This program works if you view the extra debt as tuition for better career outcomes. The numbers show graduates can absorb the higher cost while still building solid middle-class careers in Minnesota's technical sector. For families who can't swing Dunwoody's premium pricing, Hennepin offers a meaningful step up from cheaper alternatives.