AutoCAD and drafting courses in Minneapolis, Minnesota
27 CAD and drafting programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free
6 schools offer these drafting programs with classes in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington area, and every one is approved for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did. One school runs 12 of these 27 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 Minneapolis, all 27 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent.
By kind, the 27 programs here are drafting and design (associate degree, 6 programs), drafting and design certificate or diploma (6 programs), architectural drafting certificate (5 programs), architectural drafting (associate degree, 4 programs), and 6 more of 2 other kinds.
See the 27 programsAll 49 CAD and drafting programs in Minnesota, including online programs
How much do CAD and drafting courses cost in Minneapolis?
- Certificates and short courses (17 programs)
- $2,743 to $4,299most of them, usually 30 weeks long
- Two-year degrees (10 programs)
- $10,735 to $11,804most of them, usually 120 weeks long
What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.
In the typical program
- Finished the program
- 71%
- Working 6 months later
- 78%
- Earned a year, estimated
- about $44,100
- Length
- 30 to 120 weeks
Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Minneapolis may also offer CAD and drafting courses. How these figures are made
All 27 CAD and drafting programs in Minneapolis approved for WIOA funding
Filters
27 programs
Engineering CAD Technology
Hennepin Technical College
Eden Prairie
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$44,100Price if you pay yourself$11,619Program website, Engineering CAD Technology at Hennepin Technical CollegeMore details about Engineering CAD Technology at Hennepin Technical College
- Finished
- 40%
- Working at 6 months
- 81%
- Earned in a quarter
- $11,016
- Length
- 120 weeks, 50 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 295
Listed 2 times in the state's file with differing results. Shown: the listing with the most students.
- Earned a year, estimated
- $44,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $11,619
Engineering CAD Technology
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$44,100Price if you pay yourself$11,619Program website, Engineering CAD Technology at Hennepin Technical CollegeMore details about Engineering CAD Technology at Hennepin Technical College
- Finished
- 40%
- Working at 6 months
- 81%
- Earned in a quarter
- $11,016
- Length
- 120 weeks, 50 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 295
Listed 2 times in the state's file with differing results. Shown: the listing with the most students.
- Earned a year, estimated
- $44,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $11,619
Architectural Technology
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$37,300Price if you pay yourself$11,619Program website, Architectural Technology at Hennepin Technical CollegeMore details about Architectural Technology at Hennepin Technical College
- Finished
- 46%
- Working at 6 months
- 69%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,328
- Length
- 120 weeks, 50 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 255
Listed 2 times in the state's file with differing results. Shown: the listing with the most students.
- Earned a year, estimated
- $37,300
- Price if you pay yourself
- $11,619
Architectural Technology
Hennepin Technical College
Eden Prairie
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$37,300Price if you pay yourself$11,619Program website, Architectural Technology at Hennepin Technical CollegeMore details about Architectural Technology at Hennepin Technical College
- Finished
- 46%
- Working at 6 months
- 69%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,328
- Length
- 120 weeks, 50 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 255
Listed 2 times in the state's file with differing results. Shown: the listing with the most students.
- Earned a year, estimated
- $37,300
- Price if you pay yourself
- $11,619
Engineering CAD Technology
Century College
White Bear Lake
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$41,100Price if you pay yourself$9,924Program website, Engineering CAD Technology at Century CollegeMore details about Engineering CAD Technology at Century College
- Finished
- 40%
- Working at 6 months
- 77%
- Earned in a quarter
- $10,276
- Length
- 120 weeks, 50 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 224
- Earned a year, estimated
- $41,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $9,924
Architectural Technology
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Minneapolis
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$31,200Price if you pay yourself$8,795Program website, Architectural Technology at Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeMore details about Architectural Technology at Minneapolis Community and Technical College
- Finished
- 32%
- Working at 6 months
- 73%
- Earned in a quarter
- $7,795
- Length
- 60 weeks, 50 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 207
- Earned a year, estimated
- $31,200
- Price if you pay yourself
- $8,795
Engineering Drafting & Design
Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$46,400Price if you pay yourself$54,400Program website, Engineering Drafting & Design at Dunwoody College of TechnologyMore details about Engineering Drafting & Design at Dunwoody College of Technology
- Finished
- 76%
- Working at 6 months
- 87%
- Earned in a quarter
- $11,605
- Length
- 120 weeks, 50 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,363
- Students counted
- 178
- Earned a year, estimated
- $46,400
- Price if you pay yourself
- $54,400
Additive Manufacturing Designer
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$50,100Price if you pay yourself$2,743Program website, Additive Manufacturing Designer at Hennepin Technical CollegeMore details about Additive Manufacturing Designer at Hennepin Technical College
- Finished
- 71%
- Working at 6 months
- 78%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,530
- Length
- 30 weeks, 17 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 160
- Earned a year, estimated
- $50,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,743
Additive Manufacturing Designer
Hennepin Technical College
Eden Prairie
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$50,100Price if you pay yourself$2,743Program website, Additive Manufacturing Designer at Hennepin Technical CollegeMore details about Additive Manufacturing Designer at Hennepin Technical College
- Finished
- 71%
- Working at 6 months
- 78%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,530
- Length
- 30 weeks, 17 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 160
- Earned a year, estimated
- $50,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,743
Auto CAD Operator
Hennepin Technical College
Eden Prairie
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$50,100Price if you pay yourself$2,743Program website, Auto CAD Operator at Hennepin Technical CollegeMore details about Auto CAD Operator at Hennepin Technical College
- Finished
- 71%
- Working at 6 months
- 78%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,530
- Length
- 30 weeks, 17 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 160
- Earned a year, estimated
- $50,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,743
Auto CAD Operator
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$50,100Price if you pay yourself$2,743Program website, Auto CAD Operator at Hennepin Technical CollegeMore details about Auto CAD Operator at Hennepin Technical College
- Finished
- 71%
- Working at 6 months
- 78%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,530
- Length
- 30 weeks, 17 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 160
- Earned a year, estimated
- $50,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,743
Creo Parametric Operator
Hennepin Technical College
Eden Prairie
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$50,100Price if you pay yourself$2,743Program website, Creo Parametric Operator at Hennepin Technical CollegeMore details about Creo Parametric Operator at Hennepin Technical College
- Finished
- 71%
- Working at 6 months
- 78%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,530
- Length
- 30 weeks, 17 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 160
- Earned a year, estimated
- $50,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,743
Creo Parametric Operator
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$50,100Price if you pay yourself$2,743Program website, Creo Parametric Operator at Hennepin Technical CollegeMore details about Creo Parametric Operator at Hennepin Technical College
- Finished
- 71%
- Working at 6 months
- 78%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,530
- Length
- 30 weeks, 17 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 160
- Earned a year, estimated
- $50,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,743
SOLIDWORKS Operator
Hennepin Technical College
Eden Prairie
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$50,100Price if you pay yourself$2,743Program website, SOLIDWORKS Operator at Hennepin Technical CollegeMore details about SOLIDWORKS Operator at Hennepin Technical College
- Finished
- 71%
- Working at 6 months
- 78%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,530
- Length
- 30 weeks, 17 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 160
- Earned a year, estimated
- $50,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,743
SOLIDWORKS Operator
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$50,100Price if you pay yourself$2,743Program website, SOLIDWORKS Operator at Hennepin Technical CollegeMore details about SOLIDWORKS Operator at Hennepin Technical College
- Finished
- 71%
- Working at 6 months
- 78%
- Earned in a quarter
- $12,530
- Length
- 30 weeks, 17 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 160
- Earned a year, estimated
- $50,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,743
Architectural Technology
Dakota County Technical College
Rosemount
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$41,600Price if you pay yourself$10,440Program website, Architectural Technology at Dakota County Technical CollegeMore details about Architectural Technology at Dakota County Technical College
- Finished
- 73%
- Working at 6 months
- 80%
- Earned in a quarter
- $10,391
- Length
- 120 weeks, 50 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 127
- Earned a year, estimated
- $41,600
- Price if you pay yourself
- $10,440
Architectural Technology
Anoka Technical College
Anoka
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$38,900Price if you pay yourself$10,318Program website, Architectural Technology at Anoka Technical CollegeMore details about Architectural Technology at Anoka Technical College
- Finished
- 57%
- Working at 6 months
- 82%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,728
- Length
- 120 weeks, 50 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 120
- Earned a year, estimated
- $38,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $10,318
Electrical Construction Design & Management
Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$44,300Price if you pay yourself$47,187Program website, Electrical Construction Design & Management at Dunwoody College of TechnologyMore details about Electrical Construction Design & Management at Dunwoody College of Technology
- Finished
- 52%
- Working at 6 months
- 85%
- Earned in a quarter
- $11,067
- Length
- 120 weeks, 50 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,128
- Students counted
- 110
- Earned a year, estimated
- $44,300
- Price if you pay yourself
- $47,187
Architectural 2D CAD
Anoka Technical College
Anoka
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$37,700Price if you pay yourself$2,752Program website, Architectural 2D CAD at Anoka Technical CollegeMore details about Architectural 2D CAD at Anoka Technical College
- Finished
- 67%
- Working at 6 months
- 86%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,415
- Length
- 30 weeks, 16 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 90
- Earned a year, estimated
- $37,700
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,752
Architectural and Construction Technician
Anoka Technical College
Anoka
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$37,700Price if you pay yourself$7,739Program website, Architectural and Construction Technician at Anoka Technical CollegeMore details about Architectural and Construction Technician at Anoka Technical College
- Finished
- 67%
- Working at 6 months
- 86%
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,415
- Length
- 60 weeks, 45 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 90
- Earned a year, estimated
- $37,700
- Price if you pay yourself
- $7,739
Mechanical Drafting and Design - CAD Drafter
Anoka Technical College
Anoka
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$40,200Price if you pay yourself$11,866Program website, Mechanical Drafting and Design - CAD Drafter at Anoka Technical CollegeMore details about Mechanical Drafting and Design - CAD Drafter at Anoka Technical College
- Finished
- 58%
- Working at 6 months
- 84%
- Earned in a quarter
- $10,042
- Length
- 120 weeks, 50 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 68
- Earned a year, estimated
- $40,200
- Price if you pay yourself
- $11,866
Digital Fabrication Technology
Century College
White Bear Lake
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$26,100Price if you pay yourself$2,646Program website, Digital Fabrication Technology at Century CollegeMore details about Digital Fabrication Technology at Century College
- Finished
- 80%
- Working at 6 months
- 69%
- Earned in a quarter
- $6,519
- Length
- 30 weeks, 16 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 56
- Earned a year, estimated
- $26,100
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,646
Mechanical CAD Operator
Anoka Technical College
Anoka
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$54,700Price if you pay yourself$4,299Program website, Mechanical CAD Operator at Anoka Technical CollegeMore details about Mechanical CAD Operator at Anoka Technical College
- Finished
- 76%
- Working at 6 months
- 71%
- Earned in a quarter
- $13,667
- Length
- 30 weeks, 25 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 25
- Earned a year, estimated
- $54,700
- Price if you pay yourself
- $4,299
Mechanical CAD Drafter
Anoka Technical College
Anoka
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$54,700Price if you pay yourself$9,974Program website, Mechanical CAD Drafter at Anoka Technical CollegeMore details about Mechanical CAD Drafter at Anoka Technical College
- Finished
- 76%
- Working at 6 months
- 71%
- Earned in a quarter
- $13,667
- Length
- 60 weeks, 50 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 25
- Earned a year, estimated
- $54,700
- Price if you pay yourself
- $9,974
Architectural Drafting
Dakota County Technical College
Rosemount
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$32,200Price if you pay yourself$2,088Program website, Architectural Drafting at Dakota County Technical CollegeMore details about Architectural Drafting at Dakota County Technical College
- Finished
- 57%
- Working at 6 months
- 100%
- Earned in a quarter
- $8,056
- Length
- 30 weeks, 12 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- 12
- Earned a year, estimated
- $32,200
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,088
Architectural Virtual Reality and Rendering
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Minneapolis
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$2,558Program website, Architectural Virtual Reality and Rendering at Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeMore details about Architectural Virtual Reality and Rendering at Minneapolis Community and Technical College
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 30 weeks, 16 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- None listed
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $2,558
Electrical Drafting & Estimating
Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$16,150Program website, Electrical Drafting & Estimating at Dunwoody College of TechnologyMore details about Electrical Drafting & Estimating at Dunwoody College of Technology
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 60 weeks, 16 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $1,210
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $16,150
No programs match these filters.
How to pay for CAD and drafting courses in Minneapolis
WIOA funding can pay for CAD and drafting courses in Minneapolis
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.
Other training in Minneapolis
How CAD and drafting courses compare with the rest of skilled trades across Minnesota: Trade school programs in Minnesota
- CDL training14 programs
- CNA classes10 programs
- Welding classes19 programs
- HVAC training17 programs
- EMT classes15 programs
- Auto mechanic classes20 programs
- CNC machinist training16 programs
- Cybersecurity training43 programs
- IT training108 programs
- Esthetician school10 programs
- Fire academy12 programs
- Police academy4 programs
- Culinary school14 programs
- Medical administrative assistant training20 programs
- Industrial maintenance technician training22 programs
- Coding and software development courses24 programs
- Data analytics courses31 programs
- Administrative assistant training21 programs
- Digital marketing courses12 programs
- Web and graphic design courses33 programs
- Manufacturing technician training13 programs
- Electronics technician training12 programs
- Business administration programs29 programs
- Auto body repair classes19 programs
- Accounting and bookkeeping classes35 programs
- RN programs17 programs
- Project management certification33 programs
Where the Minneapolis drafting program numbers come from
Which Minneapolis drafting programs are on this list?
These are the drafting programs with classes in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington area that are 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. Online programs are left out here; they are on the Minnesota page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.
How the prices and results of Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis
Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Drafters
- US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
- US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
- 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)
- US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
- US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
- 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