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AutoCAD and drafting courses in Maine

7 CAD and drafting programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

5 schools offer these drafting programs, and Maine has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did. One school runs 3 of these 7 programs, so the typical figures lean heavily on its prices and results.

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

In Maine, 3 of the 7 programs take students without a high school diploma and 4 ask for a diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 7 programs here are SolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software course (3 programs), AutoCAD course (2 programs), architectural drafting (associate degree, 1 program) and drafting and design certificate or diploma (1 program).

See the 7 programs

How much do CAD and drafting courses cost in Maine?

$3,695 to $5,875 is what most CAD and drafting programs in Maine cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 6 programs with a price. All of them: $3,250 to $6,000

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not enough data
2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
1 program reports it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
1 program reports it; a typical figure needs 5
Length
Not reported
None of the 7 programs report it

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Maine may also offer CAD and drafting courses. How these figures are made

Are there free CAD and drafting courses in Maine?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 7 CAD and drafting programs in Maine approved for WIOA funding

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Kind of program
School
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How to show the list

7 programs

  • Architectural drafting (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Architectural and Engineering Design

    Southern Maine Community College

    South Portland

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southern Maine Community College, South PortlandArchitectural drafting (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$33,900
    Price if you pay yourself$4,896

    4 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Architectural and Engineering Design at Southern Maine Community College
    More details about Architectural and Engineering Design at Southern Maine Community College
    Finished
    26%
    Working at 6 months
    80%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,470
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $2,800
    Students counted
    84
    Earned a year, estimated
    $33,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,896
    students trained with WIOA funding
    4
    Program website, Architectural and Engineering Design at Southern Maine Community College

  • AutoCAD courseOnlineNo diploma needed

    Computer Aided Drafting & Design with AutoCAD Certification

    Online Consulting Inc dba ONLC Training Centers

    Based in Portland, ME

    No diploma needed

    Online Consulting Inc dba ONLC Training Centers, based in Portland, MEAutoCAD courseOnline · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,250
    Program website, Computer Aided Drafting & Design with AutoCAD Certification at Online Consulting Inc dba ONLC Training Centers
    More details about Computer Aided Drafting & Design with AutoCAD Certification at Online Consulting Inc dba ONLC Training Centers
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $50
    Students counted
    10
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,250
    Program website, Computer Aided Drafting & Design with AutoCAD Certification at Online Consulting Inc dba ONLC Training Centers

  • AutoCAD courseOnlineNo diploma needed

    AutoCAD 2021 with AutoCAD 3D 2021 (Voucher Included)

    Central Maine Community College

    Based in Auburn, ME

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Central Maine Community College, based in Auburn, MEAutoCAD course · Accredited schoolOnline · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,295
    Program website, AutoCAD 2021 with AutoCAD 3D 2021 (Voucher Included) at Central Maine Community College
    More details about AutoCAD 2021 with AutoCAD 3D 2021 (Voucher Included) at Central Maine Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,295
    Program website, AutoCAD 2021 with AutoCAD 3D 2021 (Voucher Included) at Central Maine Community College

  • SolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software courseHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Revit Architechtural Design Applications Specialist

    Visible Edge Institute

    Nashua, NH

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Visible Edge Institute, Nashua, NHSolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software courseHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Classes are outside Maine; Maine approved the program for its funding.

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,499
    Program website, Revit Architechtural Design Applications Specialist at Visible Edge Institute
    More details about Revit Architechtural Design Applications Specialist at Visible Edge Institute
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,499
    Program website, Revit Architechtural Design Applications Specialist at Visible Edge Institute

  • SolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software courseHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Creo Mechanical Design Applications Specialist Certificate

    Visible Edge Institute

    Nashua, NH

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Visible Edge Institute, Nashua, NHSolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software courseHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Classes are outside Maine; Maine approved the program for its funding.

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,000
    Program website, Creo Mechanical Design Applications Specialist Certificate at Visible Edge Institute
    More details about Creo Mechanical Design Applications Specialist Certificate at Visible Edge Institute
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,000
    Program website, Creo Mechanical Design Applications Specialist Certificate at Visible Edge Institute

  • SolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software courseHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Solidworks Mechanical Design Applications Specialist

    Visible Edge Institute

    Nashua, NH

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Visible Edge Institute, Nashua, NHSolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software courseHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Classes are outside Maine; Maine approved the program for its funding.

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,000
    Program website, Solidworks Mechanical Design Applications Specialist at Visible Edge Institute
    More details about Solidworks Mechanical Design Applications Specialist at Visible Edge Institute
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,000
    Program website, Solidworks Mechanical Design Applications Specialist at Visible Edge Institute

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaHybridNo diploma needed

    Mechanical Drafting & Design Certificate

    York County Community College

    Wells

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    York County Community College, WellsDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    More details about Mechanical Drafting & Design Certificate at York County Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported

How to pay for CAD and drafting courses in Maine

WIOA funding can pay for CAD and drafting courses in Maine

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for CAD and drafting courses

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for CAD and drafting courses

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: AutoCAD and drafting courses in Maine

lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
16th of 30
CAD and drafting programs here, against the typical state's 7
7 vs 7

State comparisons use the same figures as the CAD and drafting courses by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

AutoCAD and drafting courses in Manchester, Portland and other Maine cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 2 programs are online.

Other training in Maine

How CAD and drafting courses compare with the rest of skilled trades: Trade school programs in Maine

Where the Maine drafting program numbers come from

Which Maine drafting programs are on this list?

These are the drafting programs Maine approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Maine offers.

How the prices and results of Maine drafting programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about CAD and drafting courses in Maine

Show the 9 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 Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. 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