Compare 9 Civil Drafting and Civil Engineering CAD/CADD. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $67,835. Top programs: $84,622+.
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 | $84,622 | 20 | $26,188 | Excellent | $22,488 | Good | |
| #2 | $84,064 | 13 | $27,000 | Excellent | $23,103 | Good | |
| #3 | Trine UniversityPrivate | $77,517 | 39 | $25,000 | Excellent | $32,897 | Manageable |
| #4 | $71,326 | 18 | $21,000 | Excellent | $14,000 | Good | |
| #5 | $68,755 | 20 | $23,961 | Excellent | $36,863 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $61,420 | 9 | $20,000 | Excellent | $17,205 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Murray State UniversityPublic | $58,862 | 14 | $20,500 | Excellent | $18,465 | Manageable |
| #8 | Weber State UniversityPublic | $58,673 | 7 | $15,113 | Excellent | $7,520 | Good |
| #9 | East Carolina UniversityPublic | $45,277 | 22 | $22,750 | Manageable | $19,710 | 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 →
