by our College Data Analytics TeamThe planning process that goes into constructing a building is more extensive than we might assume. There are many hours of work and last-minute changes that take place before the actual blueprints are approved. If you would like to have a hand in crafting designs for buildings and projects, Drafting and Design Technology could be the major for you.
The study of Drafting and Design Technology teaches students the creative drawing, planning, and computer modeling that is used to construct a building or manufacture a product. Students won't only learn how to create plan for buildings, they also have the potential to learn how to draft dams, aircrafts, and machinery. Learning includes instruction in manufacturing materials and processes, drafting calculations, manufacturing circuitry, blueprint reading, and technical communication. While learning these new skills you will be taking classes in Architectural drafting, Construction materials, Product design, and Engineering Design graphics.
There are different concentrations within this major. A few of these concentrations include, CAD/CADD Drafting and Design Technology, Architectural Drafting, Civil Drafting, and Mechanical Drafting. This major is commonly offered as an Associate's degree, however can also be offered a Bachelors degree.
Drafting & Design Engineering Technology was the 151st most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 8,964 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 9.0% reduction in design engineering tech degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 9,770.
Our 2023 Best Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes 92 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for drafting and design engineering technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of design engineering tech programs later in this article.
Students who have strong mathematic and scientific skill are commonly successful within this major, as this makes up the basis for the major. It is important for students pay close attention to detail. While designing and drafting one small error can cause major concerns, therefore detail and the ability to concentrate for long periods of time is significant. The ability to take criticism and work in teams is a large part of this field, as well.
Students who are interested in this major should take prior classes in Computer/graphic arts, Geometry, Physics, and Industrial Art if available. The courses will help prepare students for the future course work they will be studying.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most design engineering tech degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific design engineering tech careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different design engineering tech degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in drafting and design engineering technology to something that takes less time like a . Different drafting and design engineering technology degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to design engineering tech, with approximately 39.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for design engineering tech workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 36.7% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 23.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 20.3% |
| Some College Courses | 9.0% |
| High School Diploma | 5.7% |
About 70.3% of workers in careers related to design engineering tech obtain at least associate degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in drafting and design engineering technology have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which design engineering tech career you choose.
If you are interested in pursuing Drafting and Design Technology, you can expect a career as an electrical drafter, civil drafter, process piping or pipeline drafter, aeronautical drafter, or mechanical drafter. All these drafters work with different structures. For example an Aeronautical drafter designs aircrafts and missile parts. A civil drafter will design bridges, highways, and other structures.
Want a job when you graduate with your design engineering tech degree? Drafting & Design Engineering Technology careers are expected to grow 7.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to drafting and design engineering technology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | 107,700 | 8.1% |
| Mechanical Drafters | 68,200 | 5.2% |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | 29,300 | 6.9% |
| Drafters | 17,200 | 8.2% |
Recently graduated drafting and design engineering technology students earned an average of $43,158 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $27,208 to as high as $74,597. As you might expect, salaries for design engineering tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for drafting and design engineering technology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers design engineering tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $64,400 |
| Mechanical Drafters | $59,010 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $56,700 |
| Drafters | $54,240 |
With over 1,492 different design engineering tech degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased design engineering tech school rankings to help you with this.
Drafting & Design Engineering Technology is one of 18 different types of Engineering Technologies programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Drafting & Design Technology | 4,232 |
| CAD/CADD Drafting &/or Design Technology | 2,270 |
| Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD | 1,157 |
| Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD | 1,082 |
| Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering CAD/CADD | 86 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technology | 11,906 |
| Electromechanical Engineering Technology | 10,593 |
| Environmental Control Technology | 8,690 |
| Electronics Engineering Technology | 8,592 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | 6,736 |
