Best institutions to study Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to develop working drawings and electronic simulations in support of mechanical and industrial engineers, and related professionals.
101 U.S. institutions graduated 911 Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.1306, 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 Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to develop working drawings and electronic simulations in support of mechanical and industrial engineers, and related professionals. Includes instruction in manufacturing materials and processes, mechanical drafting, electrode-mechanical drafting, basic metallurgy, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, blueprint reading, and technical communication.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD program prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills in the field of engineering. This program focuses on developing working drawings and electronic simulations that support mechanical and industrial engineers, making it ideal for individuals interested in design and drafting technologies.
Students will gain core skills in areas such as mechanical drafting, blueprint reading, and technical communication. Coursework includes instruction in manufacturing materials, geometric dimensioning, and the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software to create detailed design drawings and three-dimensional models.
Credentials awarded
What Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year439 graduates / yr · 60 institutions48%
- Associate's degree331 graduates / yr · 56 institutions36%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years137 graduates / yr · 24 institutions15%
- Bachelor's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Award of less than 12 weeks2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,150 |
| 2013 | 1,143 |
| 2014 | 1,162 |
| 2015 | 1,287 |
| 2016 | 1,288 |
| 2017 | 1,341 |
| 2018 | 1,287 |
| 2019 | 1,255 |
| 2020 | 1,167 |
| 2021 | 1,087 |
| 2022 | 1,058 |
| 2023 | 1,045 |
| 2024 | 932 |
| 2025 | 911 |
Top 50 institutions for Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting 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 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 49 | 55% | $6,760 | — |
| 2 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 45 | 50% | — | — |
| 3 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 42 | 40% | — | $41,467 |
| 4 | Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 40 | 21% | — | $49,865 |
| 5 | Trident Technical College Charleston, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 33 | 30% | — | — |
| 6 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 32 | 39% | — | $44,886 |
| 7 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 65% | — | $44,782 |
| 8 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 27 | 46% | — | $43,742 |
| 9 | Wichita State University - Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology Wichita, KSPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 22 | 43% | — | $46,949 |
| 10 | Midland College Midland, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 22 | 23% | — | — |
| 11 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 20% | — | $45,343 |
| 12 | Macomb Community College Warren, MIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 18 | 18% | — | $44,701 |
| 13 | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City, IAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 17 | 50% | — | — |
| 14 | Oakland Community College Auburn Hills, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 16 | 21% | — | $45,844 |
| 15 | Anoka Technical College Anoka, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 15 | 66% | — | — |
| 16 | Moore Norman Technology Center Norman, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 91% | — | — |
| 17 | Palomar College San Marcos, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 38% | — | — |
| 18 | Madison Area Technical College Madison, WIPublicAssociate's | 13 | 29% | — | — |
| 19 | Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 32% | — | — |
| 20 | Northeast State Community College Blountville, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 12 | 33% | — | — |
| 21 | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, COPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 32% | — | — |
| 22 | Greenville Technical College Greenville, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 21% | — | — |
| 23 | Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WIPublicAssociate's | 11 | 45% | — | $53,105 |
| 24 | MiraCosta College Oceanside, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 10 | 41% | — | — |
| 25 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 43% | — | — |
| 26 | Mid Michigan College Harrison, MIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 28% | — | — |
| 27 | Bergen Community College Paramus, NJPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 21% | — | — |
| 28 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WIPublicAssociate's | 10 | 25% | — | — |
| 29 | Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 9 | 31% | — | — |
| 30 | Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 43% | — | — |
| 31 | Vincennes University Vincennes, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 9 | 39% | — | — |
| 32 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 16% | — | — |
| 33 | Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac, WIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 58% | — | — |
| 34 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WIPublicAssociate's | 9 | 51% | — | — |
| 35 | Glendale Community College Glendale, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 8 | 37% | — | — |
| 36 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 30% | — | — |
| 37 | El Paso Community College El Paso, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 24% | — | — |
| 38 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 16% | — | — |
| 39 | Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 7 | 32% | — | — |
| 40 | San Joaquin Delta College Stockton, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 35% | — | — |
| 41 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 38% | — | — |
| 42 | Alexandria Technical & Community College Alexandria, MNPublicAssociate's | 7 | 60% | — | — |
| 43 | New Mexico State University - Dona Ana Las Cruces, NMPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 19% | — | — |
| 44 | Lakeshore Technical College Cleveland, WIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 50% | — | — |
| 45 | Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee, WIPublicAssociate's | 7 | 44% | — | $46,460 |
| 46 | Chaffey College Rancho Cucamonga, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 36% | — | — |
| 47 | Rio Hondo College Whittier, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 25% | — | — |
| 48 | Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DEPublicAssociate's | 6 | 22% | — | — |
| 49 | Kaskaskia College Centralia, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 49% | — | — |
| 50 | College of Lake County Grayslake, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 37% | — | — |
* 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 27 states
Where Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD 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, with an annual median wage of $68,510. The job outlook indicates a decline of 6.5%, with approximately 3,300 annual openings. Typically, an Associate's degree is required for entry into this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.1306
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 |
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 Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting 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
- 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).
- 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 - 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 is the duration of the program?+
The program offers various awards, including options that range from at least 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, technical communication, and computer-aided design.
What types of jobs can I get after completing this program?+
You can work as a Mechanical Drafter, supporting engineers with design and drafting tasks.
What is the job outlook for Mechanical Drafters?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 6.5%, with about 3,300 openings each year.
What is the CIP code for Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD?+
Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD is CIP 15.1306 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 drawings and electronic simulations in support of mechanical and industrial engineers, and related professionals. Includes instruction in manufacturing materials and processes, mechanical drafting, electrode-mechanical drafting, basic metallurgy, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, blueprint reading, and technical communication.
How many institutions offer Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD programs?+
101 U.S. institutions reported Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 27 states, awarding 911 credentials in the year. That is 8.8% of all Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Mechanical Drafters occupation, which Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD 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 $45,343 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card