Best institutions to study Architectural Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to assist architects in developing plans and related documentation and in performing architectural office services.
63 U.S. institutions graduated 1,217 Architectural Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 04.0901, a specialization of Architectural Sciences and Technology (CIP 04.09), and leads most directly to the Architectural and Civil Drafters occupation (BLS SOC 17-3011).
About Architectural Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to assist architects in developing plans and related documentation and in performing architectural office services. Includes instruction in architectural drafting, computer-assisted drafting and design, construction methods and materials, environmental systems, building codes and standards, structural principles, cost estimation, planning documentation, visual communication skills, display production, and architectural office management.
See also: 15.1303 - Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD/CADD.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Architectural Technology/Technician program prepares students to assist architects in the development of plans and documentation necessary for construction projects. This program is ideal for individuals interested in the intersection of design and technical skills, providing a foundation for a career in architecture and related services.
Students in this program gain essential skills in architectural drafting, computer-assisted design, building codes, and construction methods. Coursework emphasizes visual communication, planning documentation, and architectural office management, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to succeed in the field.
Credentials awarded
What Architectural Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree588 graduates / yr · 53 institutions48%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year407 graduates / yr · 24 institutions33%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years126 graduates / yr · 18 institutions10%
- Bachelor's degree96 graduates / yr · 6 institutions7.9%
Graduates over time
Architectural Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 809 |
| 2013 | 828 |
| 2014 | 773 |
| 2015 | 764 |
| 2016 | 785 |
| 2017 | 697 |
| 2018 | 810 |
| 2019 | 920 |
| 2020 | 817 |
| 2021 | 768 |
| 2022 | 938 |
| 2023 | 886 |
| 2024 | 1,273 |
| 2025 | 1,217 |
Top 50 institutions for Architectural Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 152 | 45% | — | — |
| 2 | CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NYPublicBachelor's | 69 | 21% | — | $34,834 |
| 3 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 64 | 37% | — | — |
| 4 | Ventura College Ventura, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 58 | 38% | — | — |
| 5 | College of the Sequoias Visalia, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 57 | 39% | — | — |
| 6 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 55 | 48% | — | — |
| 7 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 41 | 33% | — | — |
| 8 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 40 | 36% | — | — |
| 9 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PAPublicAssociate's | 38 | 53% | — | $41,418 |
| 10 | City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 35 | 40% | — | — |
| 11 | Joliet Junior College Joliet, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 31 | 21% | — | — |
| 12 | Cerritos College Norwalk, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 28 | 31% | — | — |
| 13 | Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 25 | 49% | — | — |
| 14 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UTPublicAssociate's | 24 | 29% | — | — |
| 15 | Chabot College Hayward, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 23 | 47% | — | — |
| 16 | Rio Hondo College Whittier, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 22 | 25% | — | — |
| 17 | El Camino Community College District Torrance, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 21 | 42% | — | — |
| 18 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CAPublicAssociate's | 21 | 48% | — | — |
| 19 | Glendale Community College Glendale, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 20 | 37% | — | — |
| 20 | Florida SouthWestern State College Fort Myers, FLPublicAssociate's | 20 | 39% | — | — |
| 21 | Los Angeles Trade Technical College Los Angeles, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 18 | 35% | — | — |
| 22 | West Valley College Saratoga, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 51% | — | — |
| 23 | Southwestern College Chula Vista, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 17 | 35% | — | — |
| 24 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicBachelor's | 16 | 56% | — | $46,919 |
| 25 | Fullerton College Fullerton, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 34% | — | — |
| 26 | MiraCosta College Oceanside, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 15 | 41% | — | — |
| 27 | Citrus College Glendora, CAPublicAssociate's | 14 | 41% | — | — |
| 28 | Cosumnes River College Sacramento, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 40% | — | — |
| 29 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PAPublicAssociate's | 14 | 71% | — | $43,244 |
| 30 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicAssociate's | 14 | 46% | — | — |
| 31 | Palomar College San Marcos, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 38% | — | — |
| 32 | San Diego Mesa College San Diego, CAPublicAssociate's | 13 | 35% | — | — |
| 33 | College of the Desert Palm Desert, CAPublicAssociate's | 12 | 31% | — | — |
| 34 | City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College Chicago, ILPublicAssociate's | 12 | 26% | — | — |
| 35 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 30% | — | — |
| 36 | Pensacola State College Pensacola, FLPublicAssociate's | 11 | 36% | — | — |
| 37 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAssociate's | 10 | 21% | — | — |
| 38 | Hillsborough College Tampa, FLPublicAssociate's | 10 | 34% | — | — |
| 39 | New Mexico State University - Dona Ana Las Cruces, NMPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 19% | — | — |
| 40 | St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FLPublicAssociate's | 8 | 38% | — | — |
| 41 | Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MIPublicAssociate's | 8 | 21% | — | — |
| 42 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 46% | — | $36,265 |
| 43 | Laney College Oakland, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 7 | 31% | — | — |
| 44 | Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 48% | — | — |
| 45 | College of San Mateo San Mateo, CAPublicAssociate's | 7 | 61% | — | — |
| 46 | San Bernardino Valley College San Bernardino, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 28% | — | — |
| 47 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAssociate's | 7 | 46% | — | — |
| 48 | Idaho State University Pocatello, IDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 39% | — | — |
| 49 | Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CAPublicAssociate's | 6 | 48% | — | — |
| 50 | Henry Ford College Dearborn, MIPublicAssociate's | 6 | 17% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Architectural Sciences and Technology field (CIP 04.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 15 states
Where Architectural Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Architectural Sciences and Technology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 37 | 847 | Mt San Antonio College152 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 69 | CUNY New York City College of Technology69 / yr |
| Florida | 7 | 61 | Florida SouthWestern State College20 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 52 | Pennsylvania College of Technology38 / yr |
| Illinois | 3 | 44 | Joliet Junior College31 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 41 | Northern Virginia Community College41 / yr |
| Utah | 2 | 38 | Salt Lake Community College24 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 16 | Western Kentucky University16 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 14 | Grand Rapids Community College8 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 9 | New Mexico State University - Dona Ana9 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 8 | Texas State Technical College8 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 7 | Idaho State University7 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 6 | Fitchburg State University5 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 4 | Indiana State University4 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 1 | Drury University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3011, Architectural and Civil Drafters, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Architectural Technology/Technician program often pursue careers as Architectural and Civil Drafters. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 4.1% and approximately 10,000 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $64,280, typically requiring an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 04.0901
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Architectural and Civil Draftersprimary SOC 17-3011 | $66,150 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~10,000 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Architectural Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Produce drawings, using computer-assisted drafting systems (CAD) or drafting machines, or by hand, using compasses, dividers, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices.
- Draft plans and detailed drawings for structures, installations, and construction projects, such as highways, sewage disposal systems, and dikes, working from sketches or notes.
- Coordinate structural, electrical, and mechanical designs and determine a method of presentation to graphically represent building plans.
- Analyze building codes, by-laws, space and site requirements, and other technical documents and reports to determine their effect on architectural designs.
- Draw maps, diagrams, and profiles, using cross-sections and surveys, to represent elevations, topographical contours, subsurface formations, and structures.
- Lay out and plan interior room arrangements for commercial buildings, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment and software.
Tools and technology used
Other Architectural Sciences and Technology specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Architectural Sciences and Technology (CIP 04.09).
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, or other awards depending on your course duration.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in drafting, design, critical thinking, and project coordination.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Architectural or Civil Drafter, among other related positions.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 10,000 annual openings expected.
What is the CIP code for Architectural Technology/Technician?+
Architectural Technology/Technician is CIP 04.0901 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Architectural Sciences and Technology (CIP 04.09). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to assist architects in developing plans and related documentation and in performing architectural office services. Includes instruction in architectural drafting, computer-assisted drafting and design, construction methods and materials, environmental systems, building codes and standards, structural principles, cost estimation, planning documentation, visual communication skills, display production, and architectural office management.
How many institutions offer Architectural Technology/Technician programs?+
63 U.S. institutions reported Architectural Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states, awarding 1,217 credentials in the year. That is 11.8% of all Architectural Sciences and Technology graduates.
How much do Architectural Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Architectural and Civil Drafters occupation, which Architectural Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $66,150 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Architectural Sciences and Technology field report median earnings of $41,418 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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