AutoCAD and drafting courses in Alaska

5 CAD and drafting programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

3 schools offer these drafting programs, and Alaska has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Drafters use computer-aided design (CAD) software to turn the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings. Most complete an associate degree in drafting at a community college or technical school, about two years full time, while some earn a certificate or diploma that usually takes less time; certification isn't required.¹

In Alaska, all 5 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 5 programs here are drafting and design certificate or diploma (4 programs) and architectural drafting (associate degree, 1 program).

See the 5 programs

How much do CAD and drafting courses cost in Alaska?

$5,400 to $9,000 is what most CAD and drafting programs in Alaska cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 5 programs with a price. All of them: $2,700 to $18,000

In the typical program

Finished the program: Not enough data; 2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later: Not enough data; 2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated: Not enough data; 2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length: 15 to 30 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Alaska may also offer CAD and drafting courses. How these figures are made

Are there free CAD and drafting courses in Alaska?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.²³⁴
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁵ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁴
Or pay yourself. Most drafting programs in Alaska cost $5,400 to $9,000. Prices on this page run from $2,700 to $18,000.

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 5 CAD and drafting programs in Alaska approved for WIOA funding

5 programs

Architectural drafting (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Architectural and Engineering Technology (AAS)
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Anchorage
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), AnchorageArchitectural drafting (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$30,900
Price if you pay yourself$18,000
Program website, Architectural and Engineering Technology (AAS) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
More details about Architectural and Engineering Technology (AAS) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Finished
40%
Working at 6 months
60%
Earned in a quarter
$7,715
Length
60 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$4,500
Students counted
60
Earned a year, estimated
$30,900
Price if you pay yourself
$18,000
Program website, Architectural and Engineering Technology (AAS) at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Drafting Technology (CT2)
University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
Fairbanks
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF, FairbanksDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$6,800
Price if you pay yourself$9,000
Program website, Drafting Technology (CT2) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
More details about Drafting Technology (CT2) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
Finished
60%
Working at 6 months
100%
Earned in a quarter
$1,694
Length
30 weeks, 17 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$2,250
Students counted
13
Earned a year, estimated
$6,800
Price if you pay yourself
$9,000
Program website, Drafting Technology (CT2) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Computer Aided Drafting Tech (OEC)
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
Juneau
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), JuneauDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$2,700
Program website, Computer Aided Drafting Tech (OEC) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
More details about Computer Aided Drafting Tech (OEC) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
15 weeks, 9 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$675
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$2,700
Program website, Computer Aided Drafting Tech (OEC) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Drafting Technology (OEC)
University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
Fairbanks
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF, FairbanksDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$5,400
Program website, Drafting Technology (OEC) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
More details about Drafting Technology (OEC) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
18 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$1,350
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$5,400
Program website, Drafting Technology (OEC) at University of Alaska Fairbanks - UAF
Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Drafting Technology (CT1)
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
Juneau
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), JuneauDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$9,000
School website, Drafting Technology (CT1) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
More details about Drafting Technology (CT1) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
15 weeks, 9 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$2,250
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$9,000
School website, Drafting Technology (CT1) at University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)

How to pay for CAD and drafting courses in Alaska

WIOA funding can pay for CAD and drafting courses in Alaska

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for CAD and drafting courses

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.⁶⁷

GI Bill for CAD and drafting courses

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.⁸

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: AutoCAD and drafting courses in Alaska

lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare: 27th of 30
CAD and drafting programs here, against the typical state's 7: 5 vs 7

State comparisons use the same figures as the CAD and drafting courses by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

AutoCAD and drafting courses in Fairbanks, Juneau, Anchorage and other Alaska cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above.

Other training in Alaska

How CAD and drafting courses compare with the rest of skilled trades: Trade school programs in Alaska

Where the Alaska drafting program numbers come from

Which Alaska drafting programs are on this list?

These are the drafting programs Alaska approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).⁹ The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Alaska offers.

How the prices and results of Alaska drafting programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about CAD and drafting courses in Alaska

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources

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