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2024 Best Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools

95 Colleges in the United States
8,964 Design Engineering Tech Degrees Awarded
$43,263 Avg Early-Career Salary
A degree in drafting & design engineering technology is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #151 out of 395 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 95 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for drafting & design engineering technology students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 8,964 degrees in drafting & design engineering technology during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Drafting & Design Engineering Technology School

Best Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools Your choice of drafting & design engineering technology school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Drafting & Design Engineering Technology School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Design Engineering Tech
Bachelor's Degrees in Design Engineering Tech
Master's Degrees in Design Engineering Tech

The design engineering tech school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Drafting & Design Engineering Technology in the United States

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the design engineering tech degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

14 Top Schools in Design Engineering Tech

1
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In UT
42 Design Engineering Tech Degrees Awarded

Utah Valley University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in drafting & design engineering technology. UVU is a very large public university located in the small city of Orem. A Best Colleges rank of #279 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UVU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 42 drafting & design engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at UVU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in drafting & design engineering technology from Utah Valley University

2
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
249 Design Engineering Tech Degrees Awarded
$51,250 Median Starting Salary

Every student who is interested in drafting & design engineering technology needs to check out Academy of Art University. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit university located in the large city of San Francisco. A Best Colleges rank of #223 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Academy of Art University is a great university overall.

There were approximately 249 drafting & design engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at Academy of Art University in the most recent year we have data available. Those drafting & design engineering technology students who get their degree from Academy of Art University earn $7,987 more than the typical design engineering tech student.

More information about a degree in drafting & design engineering technology from Academy of Art University

3
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
91 Design Engineering Tech Degrees Awarded
36.3% Growth in Graduates

Hennepin Technical College is a wonderful decision for students interested in a degree in drafting & design engineering technology. Hennepin Technical College is a small public college located in the large suburb of Brooklyn Park. A Best Colleges rank of #171 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Hennepin Technical College is a great college overall.

There were roughly 91 drafting & design engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at Hennepin Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the design engineering tech program report average early career earnings of $43,921.

More information about a degree in drafting & design engineering technology from Hennepin Technical College

4
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
105 Design Engineering Tech Degrees Awarded
$51,921 Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat Portland Community College if you want to pursue a degree in drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the large city of Portland, Portland Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #300 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Portland Community College is a great college overall.

There were roughly 105 drafting & design engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at Portland Community College in the most recent data year. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology degree recipients from Portland Community College earn a boost of approximately $8,658 over the average income of drafting & design engineering technology majors.

More information about a degree in drafting & design engineering technology from Portland Community College

5
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
116 Design Engineering Tech Degrees Awarded
25.0% Growth in Graduates

Lee College is a medium-sized public college located in the city of Baytown. A Best Colleges rank of #89 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Lee College is a great college overall.

There were roughly 116 drafting & design engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at Lee College in the most recent data year. Those drafting & design engineering technology students who get their degree from Lee College earn $4,365 more than the typical design engineering tech graduate.

More information about a degree in drafting & design engineering technology from Lee College

6
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In TX

Located in the medium-sized city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute of Technology is a public school with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #220 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Lamar Institute of Technology is a great school overall.

There were roughly 22 drafting & design engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at Lamar Institute of Technology in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in drafting & design engineering technology from Lamar Institute of Technology

7

Located in the large suburb of Pewaukee, WCTC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population. This college ranks 23rd out of 46 colleges for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were about 27 drafting & design engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at WCTC in the most recent year we have data available. Those drafting & design engineering technology students who get their degree from Waukesha County Technical College make $4,239 more than the typical design engineering tech student.

More information about a degree in drafting & design engineering technology from Waukesha County Technical College

8

Macomb Community College is a large public college located in the medium-sized city of Warren. A Best Colleges rank of #377 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Macomb Community College is a great college overall.

There were approximately 29 drafting & design engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at Macomb Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the design engineering tech program state that they receive average early career income of $40,678.

More information about a degree in drafting & design engineering technology from Macomb Community College

9
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
107 Design Engineering Tech Degrees Awarded
$41,234 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Dallas, El Centro College is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #362 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means El Centro College is a great college overall.

There were about 107 drafting & design engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at El Centro College in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, design engineering tech degree recipients usually make an average of $41,234 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in drafting & design engineering technology from El Centro College

10

Dunwoody College of Technology is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large city of Minneapolis. This college ranks 30th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were roughly 23 drafting & design engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at Dunwoody College of Technology in the most recent data year. Those drafting & design engineering technology students who get their degree from Dunwoody College of Technology make $4,070 more than the typical design engineering tech student.

More information about a degree in drafting & design engineering technology from Dunwoody College of Technology

11
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In FL
117 Design Engineering Tech Degrees Awarded

Valencia College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Orlando. This college ranks 14th out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were approximately 117 drafting & design engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at Valencia College in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in drafting & design engineering technology from Valencia College

12
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
123 Design Engineering Tech Degrees Awarded
22.8% Growth in Graduates

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the rural area of Perkinston. This college ranks 7th out of 26 schools for overall quality in the state of Mississippi.

There were about 123 drafting & design engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College receive an earnings boost of approximately $5,424 above the typical income of drafting & design engineering technology graduates.

More information about a degree in drafting & design engineering technology from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

13
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In MN
45.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a public college with a small student population. This college ranks 41st out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were roughly 20 drafting & design engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at Ridgewater College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in drafting & design engineering technology from Ridgewater College

14
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
77 Design Engineering Tech Degrees Awarded
41.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the rural area of Wichita, WSU Tech is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 47 colleges for overall quality in the state of Kansas.

There were roughly 77 drafting & design engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at WSU Tech in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, design engineering tech degree recipients usually make about $33,940 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in drafting & design engineering technology from Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Drafting & Design Engineering Technology students that almost earned our Best Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools award.

Rank College Location
15 Austin Community College District Austin, TX
16 Texas State Technical College Waco, TX
17 Houston Community College Houston, TX
18 St Cloud Technical and Community College Saint Cloud, MN
19 San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TX
20 Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI
21 Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA
22 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
23 Idaho State University Pocatello, ID

Drafting & Design Engineering Technology by Region

View the Best Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 18 majors within the Engineering Technologies area of study, Drafting & Design Engineering Technology has other similar majors worth exploring.

Design Engineering Tech Focus Areas

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
Other Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies 70
Electrical/Electronics Drafting & Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD 49
3-D Modeling and Design Technology 18

View All Design Engineering Tech Concentrations >

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
Mechanical Engineering Technology 6,013
General Engineering Technology 4,676
Construction Engineering Technology 4,330
Quality Control Technology 3,824
Computer Engineering Technology 3,595

View All Design Engineering Tech Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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