Best colleges for Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Marymount University, Brightpoint Community College and Northern Virginia Community College award the most Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians degrees and certificates in Virginia: 32, 24 and 21 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Virginia colleges offer Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians and award 190 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians program equips students with the skills needed to create detailed design drawings and specifications for various engineering projects. This program is ideal for individuals…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk Public · Associate degree | $41,114 | 21 | 32% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians degrees in Virginia
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marymount University Arlington Private not-for-profit | 32 | Not reported |
| 2 | Brightpoint Community College Chester Public | 24 | Not reported |
| 3 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Public | 21 | Not reported |
| 4 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk Public | 21 | $41,114 |
| 5 | Germanna Community College Locust Grove Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 6 | Virginia Peninsula Community College Hampton Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 7 | Mountain Empire Community College Big Stone Gap Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 8 | New River Community College Dublin Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 9 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 10 | Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave Public | 8 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 4 Virginia colleges offering Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECPI University | Virginia Beach | Private for-profit | 7 |
| Patrick & Henry Community College | Martinsville | Public | 5 |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Middletown | Public | 2 |
| Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke | Public | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Drafters (SOC 17-3013).
Top skills
What Mechanical Drafters earn in Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians degrees?+
Marymount University (32 graduates a year), Brightpoint Community College (24 graduates a year) and Northern Virginia Community College (21 graduates a year) award the most Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians degrees and certificates in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Virginia colleges offer Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians.
Which Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Tidewater Community College tops the list at $41,114. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Drafters earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Drafters in Virginia is $71,730 (median $69,630), across about 630 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians program?+
The Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians program equips students with the skills needed to create detailed design drawings and specifications for various engineering projects. This program is ideal for individuals…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active learning, active listening, mathematics, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Mechanical Drafters?+
The national job outlook is about -6.5% growth with around 3,300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Associate's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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.
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