by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD involves the study of Architectural Drafting And Architectural Cad/cadd. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Develop Working Drawings And Electronic Simulations For Architectural And Related Construction Projects. Includes Instruction In Basic Construction And Structural Design, Architectural Rendering, Architectural-Aided Drafting (Cad), Layout And Designs, Architectural Blueprint Interpretation, Building Materials, And Basic Structural Wiring Diagramming. Read on to learn the important information every architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd programs.
In the U.S., architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd is a widely-pursued major, with 1,623 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools ranking analyzes these 101 schools to determine the best overall colleges for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd programs later in this article.
Coursework for Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 156 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 540 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 176 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 698 |
Studying architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | 114,684 | 13.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,976 |
| 4 years | $45,788 |
| 5 years | $51,867 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $82,779 |
With 101 different architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd school rankings to help you.
Those considering architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
