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AutoCAD and drafting courses by state

579 CAD and drafting programs in 46 states and 1 territory, with costs, results and funding that can make them free

Which schools offer WIOA-approved CAD and drafting courses?

299 schools offer these programs, and each state on this page approved its programs for workforce funding. Pick a state on the map or compare them belowCompare the states below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.

What does a CAD drafter do, and how do you become one?

Drafters use computer-aided design (CAD) software to turn the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings. Most complete an associate degree in drafting at a community college or technical school, about two years full time, while some earn a certificate or diploma that usually takes less time; certification isn't required.1

PR2
Approved programsup to 45 to 78 to 15more than 15

How much do CAD and drafting courses cost?

Most CAD and drafting programs approved for WIOA funding cost $2,743 to $8,827 if you pay yourself. Certificates and short courses mostly cost $2,316 to $5,741 and two-year degrees $8,044 to $11,913. Prices also differ by state: most cost $1,190 to $3,186 in Kansas and $2,743 to $11,131 in Minnesota.

That is the price of the whole program as the school reports it. If you qualify, WIOA funding can pay part or all of it, depending on local limits (who qualifies). The figures cover only programs approved for WIOA funding; other schools and programs may cost more or less.

Compare CAD and drafting courses by state: cost, pay and results

AutoCAD and drafting courses by state
StateProgramsMost costEarned a year, estimatedWorking 6 months laterFinished
Alabama3Not enough dataNot enough dataLeft outNot enough data
Alaska5$5,400 to $9,000Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
Arizona13$2,222 to $3,416Not enough dataNot enough data41%
Arkansas3Too few figures to show
California40$1,222 to $4,888Not enough data86%86%
Colorado23$2,622 to $8,240Not enough dataNot enough data28%
Connecticut1Too few figures to show
Delaware2Too few figures to show
Florida15$4,397 to $6,312about $36,90072%53%
Georgia16$4,923 to $7,804about $37,20074%35%
Hawaii1Too few figures to show
Illinois20Left outNot enough dataNot enough dataNot reported
Indiana19$5,214 to $7,367about $34,00071%53%
Iowa10$4,502 to $12,637about $43,70085%41%
Kansas11$1,190 to $3,186Not reportedNot enough data100%
Kentucky6Too few figures to show
Louisiana14$5,803 to $10,475about $76,400Left outLeft out
Maine7$3,695 to $5,875Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
Maryland5$3,282 to $4,260Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
Massachusetts12$5,324 to $8,000Not reportedNot reportedNot reported
Michigan29$3,250 to $12,474about $37,40080%38%
Minnesota49$2,743 to $11,131about $40,30078%58%
Mississippi4Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough dataLeft out
Missouri20$2,999 to $9,834Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
Montana1Too few figures to show
Nebraska14$2,503 to $8,512about $43,70081%48%
Nevada6$3,217 to $4,764Not reportedNot reportedNot reported
New Hampshire4Not enough dataNot enough dataLeft outNot enough data
New Jersey5$2,950 to $5,975Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
New Mexico9$1,620 to $5,400about $31,20042%Left out
New York2Too few figures to show
North Carolina5$1,336 to $3,295Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
Ohio21$2,007 to $5,457Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
Oklahoma7$2,159 to $3,138about $33,300Left out70%
Oregon7$3,404 to $9,496Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
Pennsylvania13$1,199 to $14,420Not enough dataLeft outNot enough data
Puerto Rico2Too few figures to show
Rhode Island2Too few figures to show
South Dakota1Not enough dataNot enough dataLeft outNot enough data
Tennessee13$5,492 to $5,537about $35,00074%67%
Texas37$2,606 to $6,120about $47,30069%47%
Utah9$2,770 to $5,583Not enough dataLeft outNot enough data
Vermont2Too few figures to show
Virginia6$3,278 to $3,594Not reportedNot reportedNot reported
Washington60$2,200 to $10,104Not enough dataNot enough data70%
Wisconsin22$3,834 to $10,050about $43,70077%61%
Wyoming3Too few figures to show

Each figure is the middle program in that state. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools may offer CAD and drafting courses too. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).How these figures are made

AutoCAD course or drafting degree? What the 579 programs are

By kind, the 579 programs approved for WIOA funding are drafting and design certificate or diploma (223 programs), drafting and design (associate degree, 116 programs), SolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software course (90 programs), AutoCAD course (53 programs), and 97 more of 4 other kinds.

Across the US, 212 of the 579 programs take students without a high school diploma, 291 ask for a diploma or equivalent, 69 ask for earlier courses first and 7 ask for an associate degree.

Are there free CAD and drafting courses in the US?

Does WIOA pay for job training? Who qualifies and how to apply

Other training by state

Approved programs per field across every state. Each opens that field's comparison by state.

Where the drafting program numbers by state come from

Which drafting programs are counted?

Programs each state approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).6 Schools that never applied for approval are missing.

What the figures for each state mean

Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).

Sources for the facts about CAD and drafting courses

Show the 6 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Drafters
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List