by our College Data Analytics Team
[Drafting Design Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying drafting design engineering technology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose drafting design engineering technology graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Western Michigan University, our #1 for drafting design engineering technology graduate salaries in Michigan. Western Michigan University is a public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Early-career drafting design engineering technology graduates from Western Michigan University make a median of around $80,748 per year.
Mott Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in drafting design engineering technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a public institution. After graduating, drafting design engineering technology degree recipients from Mott Community College typically earn about $58,863 annually.
Grand Rapids Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in drafting design engineering technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the drafting design engineering technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,865.
Strong graduate earnings at Central Michigan University earned it the #4 place for drafting design engineering technology. Central Michigan University is a public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students who complete the drafting design engineering technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,862.
Strong graduate earnings at Oakland Community College earned it the #5 place for drafting design engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a public institution. Drafting Design Engineering Technology graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of about $45,844 a year early in their careers.
Macomb Community College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for drafting design engineering technology. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a public institution. Drafting Design Engineering Technology graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of about $44,701 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their drafting design engineering technology graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 6 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.