Compare 7 Civil Drafting and Civil Engineering CAD/CADD. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $69,013. Top programs: $84,622+.
With top graduates earning $85K, 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 $15K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. Across 7 ranked programs, outcomes track program quality, not school reputation.
Topping the list, Western Michigan University's program delivers $85K in median earnings—well above the $69K average across all 7 ranked programs. Notably, Central Michigan University follows closely at $84K, demonstrating that Midwest regional publics dominate this field. The data makes clear: program-level outcomes, not school brand, determine what graduates actually earn.
Western Michigan University stands out on debt burden too: graduates borrow $26,188 in student loans and face just a 5.8% payment burden—firmly in the 'Excellent' category. For families weighing parent loans, University of Central Missouri leads with a 10.4% combined family burden, rated 'Good.' Both schools show that strong earnings and manageable debt can coexist. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $84,622
Strong outcomes ($84,622) with 84.6% acceptance
5.8% payment burden | Excellent
10.4% family burden | Good
| 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 | $61,420 | 9 | $20,000 | Excellent | $17,205 | Manageable | |
| #6 | Murray State UniversityPublic | $58,862 | 14 | $20,500 | Excellent | $18,465 | Manageable |
| #7 | East Carolina UniversityPublic | $45,277 | 22 | — | — | — | — |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
