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AutoCAD and drafting courses in Arkansas

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

2 schools offer these drafting programs, and Arkansas 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 Arkansas, all 3 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 3 programs here are drafting and design (associate degree, 2 programs) and drafting and design certificate or diploma (1 program).

See the 3 programs

How much do CAD and drafting courses cost in Arkansas?

$1,883 to $12,060

from the lowest-priced program to the highest, if you pay yourself

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not enough data
3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length
Not reported
None of the 3 programs report it

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

Are there free CAD and drafting courses in Arkansas?

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

All 3 CAD and drafting programs in Arkansas approved for WIOA funding

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Kind of program
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3 programs

  • Drafting and design (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Computer Aided Design

    NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC)

    Bentonville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC), BentonvilleDrafting and design (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$36,700
    Price if you pay yourself$8,300
    School website, Computer Aided Design at NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC)
    More details about Computer Aided Design at NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC)
    Finished
    28%
    Working at 6 months
    74%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,182
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $3,200
    Students counted
    156
    Earned a year, estimated
    $36,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,300
    School website, Computer Aided Design at NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC)

  • Drafting and design (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Computer Aided Drafting and Design

    Arkansas State University (Asu)

    Beebe

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Arkansas State University (Asu), BeebeDrafting and design (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$24,200
    Price if you pay yourself$12,060
    More details about Computer Aided Drafting and Design at Arkansas State University (Asu)
    Finished
    43%
    Working at 6 months
    71%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,062
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $2,700
    Students counted
    56
    Earned a year, estimated
    $24,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $12,060

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    2-D Mechanical CAD Drafting Certificate of Proficiency

    Arkansas State University (Asu)

    Beebe

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Arkansas State University (Asu), BeebeDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$37,900
    Price if you pay yourself$1,883
    More details about 2-D Mechanical CAD Drafting Certificate of Proficiency at Arkansas State University (Asu)
    Finished
    85%
    Working at 6 months
    83%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,486
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $600
    Students counted
    23
    Earned a year, estimated
    $37,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,883

How to pay for CAD and drafting courses in Arkansas

WIOA funding can pay for CAD and drafting courses in Arkansas

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.

AutoCAD and drafting courses in Searcy, Fayetteville and other Arkansas cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above.

Other training in Arkansas

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

Where the Arkansas drafting program numbers come from

Which Arkansas drafting programs are on this list?

These are the drafting programs Arkansas 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 Arkansas offers.

How the prices and results of Arkansas 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 Arkansas

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Drafters
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List