Skip to content
CIP 15.1301 Engineering Technologies

Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

1,662

2025 · 146 schools

International share

8.2%

137 international students

Bachelor's degrees

325

13.2% international

Master's degrees

183

41.5% international

Overview

Drafting and Design Technology is a specialized field that focuses on creating detailed technical drawings and plans used in various industries, such as architecture, engineering, and manufacturing. This program equips students with essential skills in drafting techniques, design principles, and the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software.

Students in this program learn to produce accurate representations of structures, products, and systems. The curriculum typically includes courses in geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, 3D modeling, and materials science, enabling students to understand how to visually communicate complex ideas effectively.

Drafting and Design Technology is fundamental in the development process of a wide range of projects, from residential buildings to intricate machinery. As a result, professionals in this field play a crucial role in transforming conceptual ideas into tangible products or structures.

Moreover, with the increasing integration of technology in design, proficiency in CAD software is essential, as it allows drafters to create and modify designs with precision.

Employment opportunities for graduates of this program are diverse, ranging from working in architectural firms, engineering companies, to manufacturing industries. The demand for skilled drafters and designers continues to grow, driven by advancements in technology and the need for efficient design processes.

In summary, a career in Drafting and Design Technology offers a blend of creativity and technical skills, making it an appealing choice for those interested in shaping the physical world through design.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2003 to 2025, graduates fell 45% and the international share went from 0.9% to 8.2%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
54.2%
Asian
3.3%
Hispanic
21.0%
Black
5.9%
Other
7.4%
Intl.
8.2%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 146 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#80 Drexel University Pennsylvania 29 12
#116 University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Oklahoma 6 4
#202 East Carolina University North Carolina 27 0
#276 Western Michigan University Michigan 5 1
#276 Marymount University Virginia 32 3
— Savannah College of Art and Design Georgia 182 40
— Academy of Art University California 120 18
— College for Creative Studies Michigan 74 39
— Utah Valley University Utah 62 0
— Ivy Tech Community College Indiana 58 0
— San Jacinto Community College Texas 57 2
— State Technical College of Missouri Missouri 38 0
— Dallas College Texas 28 0
— Lamar Institute of Technology Texas 27 0
— Collin County Community College District Texas 26 1
— Houston City College Texas 22 4
— Sam Houston State University Texas 22 1
— Penn Commercial Business/Technical School Pennsylvania 20 0
— Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Mississippi 19 0
— Pennsylvania College of Technology Pennsylvania 18 0
— South Texas College Texas 18 0
— River Parishes Community College Louisiana 18 0
— Southern Maine Community College Maine 16 1
— Pima Community College Arizona 15 0
— Jones County Junior College Mississippi 15 0
— Tyler Junior College Texas 15 0
— South Louisiana Community College Louisiana 15 2
— Tulsa Community College Oklahoma 13 4
— Chemeketa Community College Oregon 13 0
— Central Carolina Technical College South Carolina 13 0
— Bevill State Community College Alabama 12 0
— Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Kentucky 12 0
— Tri-County Technical College South Carolina 12 0
— Coastal Alabama Community College Alabama 11 0
— Northeast Mississippi Community College Mississippi 11 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Architectural and Civil Drafters 103,700 $34.01 $70,740
Mechanical Drafters 39,960 $36.09 $75,060
Electrical and Electronics Drafters 17,920 $39.08 $81,280
Drafters, All Other 14,470 $32.81 $68,250

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2003–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.