Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Mott Community College

First-year earnings of $44,903 fall slightly below both state and national benchmarks for drafting and design programs, landing in the 40th percentile among Michigan competitors. However, the estimated debt burden—around $11,748 based on comparable programs at Mott—creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26. This means graduates would owe roughly three months of their first-year salary, a reasonable starting point for an associate degree that leads directly to employment.

The earnings trajectory shows modest but steady growth, reaching nearly $50,000 by year four. That's a 10% increase, though it still trails what similar programs at Grand Rapids Community College produce from the start. Still, drafting and design technology is a practical field where credentials and experience matter more than prestige, and Mott serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students who benefit from lower debt loads. The combination of manageable borrowing and immediate employability makes this a functional pathway into technical work, even if it's not the highest-earning option in Michigan.

The main caution is that these debt figures come from peer programs rather than Mott's actual graduates in this major, so the borrowing picture could vary. For families prioritizing quick entry into stable work with minimal debt, this program delivers on the fundamentals—just don't expect earnings that significantly outpace the state average for drafting technicians.