At $21,392/yr net price, Island Drafting and Technical Institute graduates earn $62,379/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $28,379/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,392 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $85,568 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,379/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$28,379/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 76.9% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,066/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,421/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,502/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,951/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,368/yr |
The Risk Factor
76.9% of students at Island Drafting and Technical Institute graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 23% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Island Drafting and Technical Institute posts a solid mid-career number: $62,379 median earnings ten years out against a $21,392 yearly net price. For a two-year for-profit school, that combination is unusually favorable. You finish in half the time of a bachelor's program, so your total tuition bill and your years out of the workforce are both smaller, and the earnings still land in respectable territory.
The 76.9% graduation rate is the number that makes this work. For-profit two-year schools often lose most of their students before completion, and a degree you don't finish is money spent with no credential to show for it. Here, more than three in four of you cross the finish line, which is the single biggest factor separating a payoff from a loss.
The risk is specific to the school's focus. The earnings figure reflects drafting and technical fields tied to the New York regional job market. If you enroll and then decide that CAD and technical drafting aren't for you, this is not a place to change direction , the program range is narrow, and the value is concentrated in the technical track you came for.
The net price tiers hold a warning for middle earners. If your family earns under $48k, you pay roughly $18,000-$19,000 a year. But the jump to the $75k-$110k bracket pushes net price to nearly $30,000 , the highest tier at the school. Middle-income families pay more here than lower-income ones, so budget for the full $29,951 if you land in that range.
This school fits you if you want a fast, focused technical credential and you're confident drafting is your field. If you're undecided or want a broad education, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Island Drafting and Technical Institute worth the money?
Island Drafting and Technical Institute graduates earn $62,379 annually 10 years after enrollment, which is reasonable for a technical school. However, the $21,392 annual net price creates significant debt risk for a two-year program.
What is the ROI for Island Drafting and Technical Institute graduates?
With moderate post-graduation earnings and high tuition costs, Island Drafting shows mixed ROI results. The 77% graduation rate is above average for technical schools, but debt levels often exceed what entry-level technical salaries can comfortably support.
Do Island Drafting and Technical Institute programs lead to good-paying jobs?
Island Drafting graduates typically find work in drafting and CAD fields with starting salaries around $40,000-50,000. While job placement is generally solid, the high program cost relative to starting wages makes financial planning important.
Should I attend Island Drafting and Technical Institute or a cheaper alternative?
Community colleges often offer similar drafting and technical programs at significantly lower costs. Island Drafting's specialized focus may provide better industry connections, but the price premium is substantial compared to public alternatives.