Best institutions to study Drafting and Design Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to generally apply technical skills to create working drawings and computer simulations for a variety of applications.
217 U.S. institutions graduated 4,212 Drafting and Design Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.1301, a specialization of Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.13), and leads most directly to the Mechanical Drafters occupation (BLS SOC 17-3013).
About Drafting and Design Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to generally apply technical skills to create working drawings and computer simulations for a variety of applications. Includes instruction in specification interpretation, dimensioning techniques, drafting calculations, material estimation, technical communications, computer applications, and interpersonal communications.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Drafting and Design Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to apply technical skills in creating working drawings and computer simulations for various applications. This program is ideal for those interested in the fields of engineering and design, offering a foundation for careers in drafting and design engineering technologies. Students learn to interpret specifications, apply dimensioning techniques, and utilize computer applications effectively.
Core coursework includes instruction in drafting calculations, material estimation, technical communications, and interpersonal communications. Students develop critical skills in mathematics, design, and engineering technology, along with hands-on experience using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) software to produce detailed design drawings and three-dimensional models.
Credentials awarded
What Drafting and Design Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,681 graduates / yr · 121 institutions40%
- Associate's degree1,154 graduates / yr · 135 institutions27%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years773 graduates / yr · 89 institutions18%
- Bachelor's degree325 graduates / yr · 10 institutions7.7%
- Master's degree182 graduates / yr · 6 institutions4.3%
- Award of less than 12 weeks93 graduates / yr · 7 institutions2.2%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Drafting and Design Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,183 |
| 2013 | 5,263 |
| 2014 | 6,293 |
| 2015 | 6,388 |
| 2016 | 5,148 |
| 2017 | 5,268 |
| 2018 | 5,512 |
| 2019 | 5,347 |
| 2020 | 4,591 |
| 2021 | 4,231 |
| 2022 | 4,026 |
| 2023 | 4,164 |
| 2024 | 4,395 |
| 2025 | 4,212 |
Top 50 institutions for Drafting and Design 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 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 186 | 30% | — | — |
| 2 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 182 | 69% | $44,902 | — |
| 3 | Olympic College Bremerton, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 156 | 31% | — | — |
| 4 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 142 | 40% | — | $41,467 |
| 5 | Academy of Art University San Francisco, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sAssociate's | 120 | 34% | $40,294 | $48,978 |
| 6 | Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Elizabethtown, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 89 | 59% | — | — |
| 7 | Lee College Baytown, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 87 | 53% | — | — |
| 8 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 83 | 45% | — | $55,893 |
| 9 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 80 | 17% | — | $45,548 |
| 10 | Dallas College Dallas, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 79 | 32% | — | — |
| 11 | College for Creative Studies Detroit, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 74 | 71% | $32,153 | — |
| 12 | South Texas College McAllen, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 71 | 27% | — | — |
| 13 | Collin County Community College District McKinney, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 70 | 20% | — | — |
| 14 | River Parishes Community College Gonzales, LAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 68 | 30% | — | — |
| 15 | Portland Community College Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of less than 12 weeks | 61 | 18% | — | $54,198 |
| 16 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 59 | 48% | — | $35,706 |
| 17 | Bevill State Community College Jasper, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 58 | 38% | — | — |
| 18 | Lane Community College Eugene, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 51 | 20% | — | — |
| 19 | J F Ingram State Technical College Deatsville, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 48 | 21% | — | — |
| 20 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 46 | 45% | — | — |
| 21 | Brazosport College Lake Jackson, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 46 | 56% | — | — |
| 22 | South Louisiana Community College Lafayette, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 46 | 30% | — | $34,056 |
| 23 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 45 | 43% | — | — |
| 24 | Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 44 | 31% | — | — |
| 25 | SOWELA Technical Community College Lake Charles, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 44 | 43% | — | — |
| 26 | George C Wallace Community College - Dothan Dothan, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 40 | 35% | — | — |
| 27 | Alvin Community College Alvin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 40 | 24% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton Morrilton, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 38 | 42% | — | — |
| 29 | State Technical College of Missouri Linn, MOPublicAssociate's | 38 | 84% | — | $49,789 |
| 30 | Fletcher Technical Community College Schriever, LAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 36 | 30% | — | — |
| 31 | Chemeketa Community College Salem, ORPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 34 | 21% | — | — |
| 32 | Palomar College San Marcos, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 32 | 38% | — | — |
| 33 | Delgado Community College New Orleans, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 32 | 24% | — | — |
| 34 | Marymount University Arlington, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 32 | 54% | $25,803 | — |
| 35 | Tyler Junior College Tyler, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 31 | 27% | — | — |
| 36 | Eastern Arizona College Thatcher, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 30 | 42% | — | — |
| 37 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 38% | — | — |
| 38 | Jones County Junior College Ellisville, MSPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 29 | 41% | — | — |
| 39 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 29 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 40 | Southern Union State Community College Wadley, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 28 | 36% | — | — |
| 41 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicBachelor's | 27 | 63% | — | — |
| 42 | Lamar Institute of Technology Beaumont, TXPublicAssociate's | 27 | 31% | — | — |
| 43 | Central Community College Grand Island, NEPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 48% | — | — |
| 44 | Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 25 | 31% | — | — |
| 45 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 28% | — | — |
| 46 | Citrus College Glendora, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 25 | 41% | — | — |
| 47 | Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 24 | 33% | — | — |
| 48 | McLennan Community College Waco, TXPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 24 | 39% | — | — |
| 49 | Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 23 | 81% | — | — |
| 50 | Golden West College Huntington Beach, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 22 | 49% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 15.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 39 states & territories
Where Drafting and Design Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3013, Mechanical Drafters, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as mechanical drafters, architectural and civil drafters, and electrical and electronics drafters. The job outlook indicates a decline of 6.5% in this field, with approximately 3,300 annual openings. The median wage for drafters is $68,510, and typical education required is an associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.1301
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mechanical Draftersprimary SOC 17-3013 | $71,550 | -6.5% Decline | ~3,300 | Associate's degree |
Architectural and Civil Drafters SOC 17-3011 | $66,150 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~10,000 | Associate's degree |
Electrical and Electronics Drafters SOC 17-3012 | $76,870 | -5.6% Decline | ~1,700 | Associate's degree |
Drafters, All Other SOC 17-3019 | $63,520 | -6.9% Decline | ~1,300 | 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 Drafting and Design 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
- Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
- Produce three-dimensional models, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
- Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies or to reduce production problems.
- Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
- Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
Tools and technology used
Other Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.13).
- CAD/CIP 15.1302
CADD Drafting and/ or Design Technology/ Technician 3,206 graduates / yr179 institutions - Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD/CIP 15.1303
CADD 1,734 graduates / yr106 institutions - Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CIP 15.1306
CADD 911 graduates / yr101 institutions - Civil Drafting and Civil Engineering CAD/CIP 15.1304
CADD 87 graduates / yr12 institutions - Electrical/CIP 15.1305
Electronics Drafting and Electrical/ Electronics CAD/ CADD 76 graduates / yr12 institutions - 3-D Modeling and Design Technology/CIP 15.1307
Technician 62 graduates / yr13 institutions - Drafting/CIP 15.1399
Design Engineering Technologies/ Technicians partial data57 graduates / yr8 institutions
See all Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What types of degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers various credentials, including awards of less than one academic year, associate's degrees, and awards of up to two academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, technical communication, and computer applications.
What careers can I pursue after completing this program?+
You can work as a mechanical drafter, architectural or civil drafter, or in other drafting-related roles.
What is the job outlook for drafting careers?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 6.5%, with about 3,300 annual openings in the field.
What is the CIP code for Drafting and Design Technology/Technician?+
Drafting and Design Technology/Technician is CIP 15.1301 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.13). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to generally apply technical skills to create working drawings and computer simulations for a variety of applications. Includes instruction in specification interpretation, dimensioning techniques, drafting calculations, material estimation, technical communications, computer applications, and interpersonal communications.
How many institutions offer Drafting and Design Technology/Technician programs?+
217 U.S. institutions reported Drafting and Design Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 39 states & territories, awarding 4,212 credentials in the year. That is 40.7% of all Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Drafting and Design Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Mechanical Drafters occupation, which Drafting and Design Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $71,550 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $45,844 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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