Architectural Drafting and CAD: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Students in this program gain the technical expertise needed to produce precise, functional construction documents and digital models for architectural projects. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of design principles with advanced digital tools to support the planning and execution of building environments.
- Architectural-aided drafting (CAD): Mastery of computer-aided design software to create detailed, scalable drawings and 3D models that guide construction processes.
- Architectural rendering: Development of visual representations that convey spatial form, lighting, materials, and design intent for both clients and construction teams.
- Blueprint interpretation: Ability to read and analyze technical drawings to understand structural components, dimensions, and construction sequences.
- Construction and structural design fundamentals: Core knowledge of load-bearing systems, framing methods, and building codes essential for safe and compliant design.
- Building materials and systems: In-depth study of material properties, applications, and performance characteristics across various construction types.
- Layout and design development: Process-oriented training in translating conceptual ideas into accurate, constructible plans and site layouts.
- Structural wiring diagramming: Instruction in creating schematic representations of electrical and mechanical systems within architectural frameworks.
Architectural Drafting and CAD Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Architectural Drafting and CAD Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Architectural Drafting and CAD degrees, including Architectural and Civil Drafters. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 109,550 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters 17-3011 | $64,280 | $44,040 - $98,190 | 109,550 | $30.90 |
Architectural Drafting and CAD Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,060 in South Dakota to $88,430 in District of Columbia—a 67% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Alaska, and Colorado. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 109,550 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Architectural Drafting and CAD by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Architectural Drafting and CAD programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Architectural Drafting and CAD is found at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (187 graduates), CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) (78 graduates), Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) (62 graduates), Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) (55 graduates), and Academy of Art University (46 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,622 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
187 | Savannah, Georgia | Private | scad.edu |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) |
Associate's
|
78 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | citytech.cuny.edu |
| Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) |
Other Award
|
62 | Reno, Nevada | Public | tmcc.edu |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
55 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | bluegrass.kctcs.edu |
| Academy of Art University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
46 | San Francisco, California | Private | academyart.edu |
| Dallas College |
Other Award
|
44 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
| William Rainey Harper College |
Residency
|
43 | Palatine, Illinois | Public | harpercollege.edu |
| Rio Hondo College (RHC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
42 | Whittier, California | Public | riohondo.edu |
| City Colleges of Chicago (HWC) |
Other Award
|
40 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | ccc.edu |
| Montgomery College (MC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
40 | Rockville, Maryland | Public | montgomerycollege.edu |
| El Paso Community College (EPCC) |
Other Award
|
36 | El Paso, Texas | Public | epcc.edu |
| Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
34 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
| CUNY Queensborough Community College (QCC) |
Associate's
|
34 | Bayside, New York | Public | qcc.cuny.edu |
| Northeast Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
32 | Norfolk, Nebraska | Public | northeast.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
31 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Kirkwood Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
30 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Public | kirkwood.edu |
| Anoka Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | Anoka, Minnesota | Public | anokatech.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
27 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College Area (MCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | mccneb.edu |
| Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Arnold, Maryland | Public | aacc.edu |
| Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
24 | Kirkland, Washington | Public | lwtech.edu |
| Portland Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
22 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pcc.edu |
| Allan Hancock College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Santa Maria, California | Public | hancockcollege.edu |
| Island Drafting and Technical Institute (IDTI) |
Associate's
|
20 | Amityville, New York | Private | idti.edu |
| Francis Tuttle Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
20 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | francistuttle.edu |
| Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
| Porter & Chester Institute (PCI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
19 | Bridgeport, Connecticut | Private | porterchester.edu |
| College of DuPage (COD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
18 | Glen Ellyn, Illinois | Public | cod.edu |
| Southeast Community College Area (SCC) |
Other Award
|
18 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | southeast.edu |
| Cabrillo College |
Other Award
|
17 | Aptos, California | Public | cabrillo.edu |
| Palomar College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| Lewis and Clark Community College (L&C) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
16 | Godfrey, Illinois | Public | lc.edu |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
16 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | minneapolis.edu |
| College of the Canyons |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Santa Clarita, California | Public | canyons.edu |
| Sierra College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Rocklin, California | Public | sierracollege.edu |
| Fullerton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
14 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullcoll.edu |
| Victor Valley College (VVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Victorville, California | Public | vvc.edu |
| College of Lake County (CLC) |
Other Award
|
14 | Grayslake, Illinois | Public | clcillinois.edu |
| Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | occc.edu |
| Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) |
Other Award
|
13 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | ccbcmd.edu |
| Pima Community College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
12 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | pima.edu |
| Emily Griffith Technical College |
Other Award
|
12 | Denver, Colorado | Public | emilygriffith.edu |
| Del Mar College (DMC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
12 | Corpus Christi, Texas | Public | delmar.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Other Award
|
12 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Public | wctc.edu |
| Macomb Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
11 | Warren, Michigan | Public | macomb.edu |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
11 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | sctcc.edu |
| Midlands Technical College (MTC) |
Other Award
|
11 | West Columbia, South Carolina | Public | midlandstech.edu |
| Texas State Technical College (TSTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Waco, Texas | Public | tstc.edu |
| Cleveland State Community College (CSCC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Public | clevelandstatecc.edu |
| Southern Oklahoma Technology Center (SouthernTech) |
Other Award
|
10 | Ardmore, Oklahoma | Public | sotech.edu |
| Vincennes University (VU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Vincennes, Indiana | Public | vinu.edu |
| Front Range Community College (FRCC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Westminster, Colorado | Public | frontrange.edu |
| St Petersburg College (SPC) |
Other Award
|
8 | St. Petersburg, Florida | Public | spcollege.edu |
| Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Rosemount, Minnesota | Public | dctc.edu |
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| Trident Technical College (TTC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | tridenttech.edu |
| Chaffey College |
Associate's
|
7 | Rancho Cucamonga, California | Public | chaffey.edu |
| Triton College |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
7 | River Grove, Illinois | Public | triton.edu |
| The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art |
Master's
|
7 | New York, New York | Private | cooper.edu |
| Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Oglesby, Illinois | Public | ivcc.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| Northland Community and Technical College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | Thief River Falls, Minnesota | Public | northlandcollege.edu |
| Stark State College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | North Canton, Ohio | Public | starkstate.edu |
| Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | Public | hacc.edu |
| Northwood Technical College (Northwood Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Rice Lake, Wisconsin | Public | northwoodtech.edu |
| Central Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Drumright, Oklahoma | Public | centraltech.edu |
| Meridian Technology Center (Meridian Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
6 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | meridiantech.edu |
| Mid-America Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Wayne, Oklahoma | Public | matech.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| Honolulu Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | honolulu.hawaii.edu |
| Kaskaskia College (KC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Centralia, Illinois | Public | kaskaskia.edu |
| American Samoa Community College (ASCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Pago Pago, American Samoa | Public | amsamoa.edu |
| Citrus College |
Other Award
|
4 | Glendora, California | Public | citruscollege.edu |
| Sacramento City College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Sacramento, California | Public | scc.losrios.edu |
| SUNY Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) |
Associate's
|
4 | Morrisville, New York | Public | morrisville.edu |
| Hocking College |
Associate's
|
4 | Nelsonville, Ohio | Public | hocking.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU-OKC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | osuokc.edu |
| Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Nanticoke, Pennsylvania | Public | luzerne.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Gurabo) |
Associate's
|
4 | Gurabo, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| City College of San Francisco (CCSF) |
Other Award
|
3 | San Francisco, California | Public | ccsf.edu |
| Cape Cod Community College (4Cs) |
Other Award
|
3 | West Barnstable, Massachusetts | Public | capecod.edu |
| Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Public | stcc.edu |
| New Mexico State University |
Associate's
|
3 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | dacc.nmsu.edu |
| Johnson College |
Associate's
|
3 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | johnson.edu |
| Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) |
Other Award
|
3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | ccp.edu |
| Guam Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Mangilao, Guam | Public | guamcc.edu |
| Long Beach City College (LBCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Long Beach, California | Public | lbcc.edu |
| Daytona State College (DSC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Public | daytonastate.edu |
| Lanier Technical College (Lanier Tech) |
Other Award
|
2 | Gainesville, Georgia | Public | laniertech.edu |
| Westmoreland County Community College |
Associate's
|
2 | Youngwood, Pennsylvania | Public | westmoreland.edu |
| Temple College |
Other Award
|
2 | Temple, Texas | Public | templejc.edu |
| Norco College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Norco, California | Public | norcocollege.edu |
| Cuyamaca College |
Associate's
|
1 | El Cajon, California | Public | cuyamaca.edu |
| Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Public | pikespeak.edu |
| Florida State College (FSCJ) |
Other Award
|
1 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | fscj.edu |
| City Colleges of Chicago |
Other Award
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | ccc.edu |
| Oakton College |
Other Award
|
1 | Des Plaines, Illinois | Public | oakton.edu |
| Waubonsee Community College |
Other Award
|
1 | Sugar Grove, Illinois | Public | waubonsee.edu |
| Frederick Community College (FCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Frederick, Maryland | Public | frederick.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Architectural Drafting and CAD programs
How much can I earn with a Architectural Drafting and CAD degree?
Salaries for Architectural Drafting and CAD graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Civil Drafters earn a median of $64,280 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $88,430 compared to $53,060 in South Dakota. Approximately 109,550 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Architectural Drafting and CAD programs?
Currently 101 accredited institutions offer Architectural Drafting and CAD degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (187 graduates), CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) (78 graduates), and Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) (62 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Architectural Drafting and CAD growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 2,005 in 2010 to 1,623 in 2023-24. This represents a 19% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Architectural Drafting and CAD degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Civil Drafters. Related occupations employ approximately 109,550 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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