The 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.
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Drafting & Design Engineering Technology was the 151st most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 8,822 degrees in this year alone.
Our 2025 Best Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes 59 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for drafting & design engineering technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of design engineering tech programs later in this article.
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What Are The Requirements For a Degree in Drafting & Design Engineering Technology
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.
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Getting Accepted Into a Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Program
drafting & design engineering technology degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional design engineering tech certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different design engineering tech degree levels. You can get anything from a in drafting & design engineering technology to the highest design engineering tech degree, a . How long it takes to complete some common design engineering tech degree levels is shown below.
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%
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About 70.3% of workers in careers related to design engineering tech obtain at least associate degrees. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in drafting & design engineering technology careers have.
This of course varies depending on which design engineering tech career you choose.
Design Engineering Tech Careers
AverageNumber of Jobs
$48kAverage Starting Salary
7% GrowthJob Outlook 2016-26
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.
Growth Projected for Design Engineering Tech Careers
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 & 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%
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How Much Money Do People With a Design Engineering Tech Degree Make?
Recently graduated drafting & design engineering technology students earned an average of $48,018 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $29,323 to as high as $65,013. As you might expect, salaries for design engineering tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Highest Paid Design Engineering Tech Careers
Salaries for drafting & 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
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Getting Your Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Degree
With over 1,517 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.
Top Ranking Lists for Drafting & Design Engineering Technology
by our College Data Analytics Team
