Compare 7 Civil Drafting and Civil Engineering CAD/CADD. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $61,575. Top programs: $75,195+.
With top graduates earning $75,195, Civil Drafting and Civil Engineering CAD/CADD stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $14K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Trine University's Civil Drafting and Civil Engineering CAD/CADD program leads with graduates earning $75,195, closely followed by Western Michigan University at $74,805. The average across all 7 programs is $61,575, yet these outcomes show regional programs competing at the top while delivering strong value.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Trine University graduates borrow $25,000 and face just a 6.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with debt clearing in about 4 months of salary.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Trine UniversityPrivate | $75,195 | 51 | $25,000 | Excellent | $32,897 | Manageable |
| #2 | $74,805 | 31 | $26,188 | Excellent | $22,488 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $63,862 | 27 | $27,000 | Good | $23,103 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $62,523 | 18 | $21,000 | Excellent | $14,000 | Manageable | |
| #5 | East Carolina UniversityPublic | $62,177 | 15 | $22,750 | Excellent | $19,710 | Manageable |
| #6 | $47,517 | 25 | $20,000 | Good | $17,205 | Challenging | |
| #7 | Murray State UniversityPublic | $44,944 | 13 | $20,500 | Manageable | $18,465 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
