Best institutions to study Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to develop working schematics and representations in support of electrical/electronic engineers, computer engineers, and related professionals.
12 U.S. institutions graduated 76 Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.1305, a specialization of Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.13), and leads most directly to the Electrical and Electronics Drafters occupation (BLS SOC 17-3012).
About Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to develop working schematics and representations in support of electrical/electronic engineers, computer engineers, and related professionals. Includes instruction in basic electronics, electrical systems and computer layouts; electrode-mechanical drafting; manufacturing circuitry; computer-aided drafting (CAD); and electrical systems specification interpretation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD program prepares students to support electrical and electronic engineers by developing schematics and technical representations. This program is ideal for individuals interested in applying technical skills in the engineering field, particularly in drafting and design technologies.
Students will gain knowledge in basic electronics, electrical systems, computer layouts, and CAD techniques. Coursework includes drafting detail and assembly drawings, interpreting electrical specifications, and consulting with engineers on design concepts.
Credentials awarded
What Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year40 graduates / yr · 8 institutions53%
- Associate's degree34 graduates / yr · 6 institutions45%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.6%
Graduates over time
Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 62 |
| 2013 | 46 |
| 2014 | 64 |
| 2015 | 63 |
| 2016 | 63 |
| 2017 | 48 |
| 2018 | 82 |
| 2019 | 60 |
| 2020 | 50 |
| 2021 | 49 |
| 2022 | 47 |
| 2023 | 47 |
| 2024 | 60 |
| 2025 | 76 |
Top 12 institutions for Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD, 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 | Palomar College San Marcos, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 38% | — | — |
| 2 | Dunwoody College of Technology Minneapolis, MNPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 66% | $25,132 | $55,512 |
| 3 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 10 | 20% | — | $45,343 |
| 4 | Kaskaskia College Centralia, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 49% | — | — |
| 5 | Middlesex Community College Bedford, MAPublicAssociate's | 8 | 23% | — | — |
| 6 | Arizona Western College Yuma, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 20% | — | — |
| 7 | Lee College Baytown, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 53% | — | — |
| 8 | Sacramento City College Sacramento, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 4 | 33% | — | — |
| 9 | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, COPublicAssociate's | 4 | 32% | — | — |
| 10 | Indiana Institute of Technology - College of Professional Studies Fort Wayne, INPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 28% | $19,930 | — |
| 11 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 28% | — | — |
| 12 | Ventura Adult and Continuing Education Ventura, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 97% | — | — |
* 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 8 states
Where Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD graduates come from. Each state links to all Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3 | 18 | Palomar College13 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 16 | Austin Community College District10 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 13 | Dunwoody College of Technology13 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 8 | Kaskaskia College8 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 8 | Middlesex Community College8 / yr |
| Arizona | 2 | 7 | Arizona Western College6 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 4 | Red Rocks Community College4 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 2 | Indiana Institute of Technology - College of Professional Studies2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3012, Electrical and Electronics Drafters, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program typically pursue careers as Electrical and Electronics Drafters. The job outlook indicates a decline of 5.6%, with approximately 1,700 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $73,720, and an Associate's degree is generally required.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.1305
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Electrical and Electronics Draftersprimary SOC 17-3012 | $76,870 | -5.6% Decline | ~1,700 | 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 Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD 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
- Draft detail and assembly drawings of design components, circuitry or printed circuit boards, using computer-assisted equipment or standard drafting techniques and devices.
- Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications, or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.
- Assemble documentation packages and produce drawing sets to be checked by an engineer or an architect.
- Review completed construction drawings and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to standards and regulations.
- Consult with engineers to discuss or interpret design concepts, or determine requirements of detailed working drawings.
- Confer with engineering staff and other personnel to resolve problems.
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).
- Drafting and Design Technology/CIP 15.1301
Technician 4,212 graduates / yr217 institutions - 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 - 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 type of degree can I earn?+
You can earn an Associate's degree or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, mathematics, and computer-aided drafting.
What tasks will I perform as a graduate?+
You will draft working drawings, assemble documentation packages, and consult with engineers.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 5.6%, with around 1,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD?+
Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD is CIP 15.1305 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 apply technical knowledge and skills to develop working schematics and representations in support of electrical/electronic engineers, computer engineers, and related professionals. Includes instruction in basic electronics, electrical systems and computer layouts; electrode-mechanical drafting; manufacturing circuitry; computer-aided drafting (CAD); and electrical systems specification interpretation.
How many institutions offer Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD programs?+
12 U.S. institutions reported Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 8 states, awarding 76 credentials in the year. That is 0.7% of all Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Electrical and Electronics Drafters occupation, which Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD most directly leads to, pays a median of $76,870 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $55,512 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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