Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Pennsylvania College of Technology

Pennsylvania College of Technology's drafting program graduates carry slightly more debt than the state average ($16,487 vs. $16,000), but they're earning above the Pennsylvania median at $44,821—placing them in the 60th percentile among the state's 22 drafting programs. The debt load itself is quite manageable, landing in just the 19th percentile nationally, meaning 81% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, graduates owe less than four months of their first-year salary.

The caveat here is significant: this data comes from a small graduating class (under 30 students), so individual circumstances could swing these numbers considerably. Still, the debt picture remains encouraging regardless of sample size—you're looking at roughly half the debt burden of a typical four-year degree. First-year earnings trail the national median by just $600, which isn't concerning for a technical field where experience and certifications often matter more than where you trained.

For families considering this program, the low debt burden is the real story. Even if your child's starting salary lands on the lower end, they won't be drowning in payments while building their career. Just recognize that with such a small cohort, you're seeing a snapshot rather than a trend—talk to the department about job placement rates and where recent grads actually landed.