Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Owens Community College

A first-year salary around $45,000 and debt near $13,000—based on what similar drafting and design programs produce nationally—creates a workable debt-to-earnings picture. With a ratio of 0.29, graduates of comparable programs typically carry debt equal to about three months of their first year's income, which falls comfortably within manageable territory for technical credentials.

That said, drafting and design technology is a field where outcomes vary significantly by regional industry demand and employer networks. Ohio has a substantial manufacturing base that typically supports strong hiring for CAD and design technicians, but we're working with national estimates here rather than Owens-specific outcomes. The program's relatively low Pell grant percentage (22%) suggests a student body that may be entering with different financial circumstances than many community college programs, which could influence typical debt loads in either direction.

The practical takeaway: if your student has strong spatial reasoning and interest in technical drawing, this path offers solid entry-level earnings with modest debt based on peer programs. Before committing, reach out to Owens directly about their placement rates with local manufacturers and engineering firms—the value of this credential hinges heavily on those employer relationships, which estimated national figures can't capture.