Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Indiana University-Indianapolis

Indiana University-Indianapolis graduates in drafting and design engineering earn just $36,798 in their first year—barely 60% of what their peers at other Indiana schools make, and half the national average for this degree. While the school markets itself as a comprehensive urban university, this program ranks in the bottom 10th percentile statewide and bottom 5th nationally. The $27,000 in debt may match national norms, but when paired with these earnings, it creates a concerning 0.73 debt-to-income ratio that will stretch repayment timelines.

The 29% earnings growth to $47,517 by year four offers some relief, but graduates still trail far behind: Indiana's median for this degree is $65,013, meaning even after four years, IU-Indianapolis grads earn 27% less than the typical in-state graduate. Since Indiana only has four schools offering this bachelor's program, these comparisons are particularly meaningful—this isn't a data artifact but a real performance gap within a small, measurable field.

For families considering this program, the numbers are difficult to justify. Trine University graduates start at nearly double the earnings with the same debt load. If your child is set on drafting and design engineering in Indiana, this program's returns simply don't compete with available alternatives. The moderate sample size suggests consistent outcomes, not a statistical fluke.