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AutoCAD and drafting courses in Illinois

20 CAD and drafting programs with results and funding that can make them free

13 schools offer these drafting programs, and Illinois has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows how past students did; Illinois files no usable prices.

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 Illinois, 3 of the 20 programs take students without a high school diploma, 5 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 12 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 20 programs here are drafting and design (associate degree, 6 programs), drafting and design certificate or diploma (5 programs), AutoCAD course (4 programs), architectural drafting certificate (2 programs), and 3 more of 2 other kinds.

See the 20 programs

How much do CAD and drafting courses cost in Illinois?

Not reported

Illinois files no usable prices, so none can be shown.

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not reported
None of the 20 programs report it
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
32 to 64 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 Illinois may also offer CAD and drafting courses. How these figures are made

Are there free CAD and drafting courses in Illinois?

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

All 20 CAD and drafting programs in Illinois approved for WIOA funding

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20 programs

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personPrerequisite courses

    Computer-Aided Drafting Certificate

    Parkland College

    Champaign

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Parkland College, ChampaignDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimated$46,400
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Computer-Aided Drafting Certificate at Parkland College
    More details about Computer-Aided Drafting Certificate at Parkland College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    83%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,591
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    32
    Earned a year, estimated
    $46,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Computer-Aided Drafting Certificate at Parkland College

  • AutoCAD courseIn personPrerequisite courses

    AutoCAD Designer+ Project Management Specialist

    Harper College

    Palatine

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Harper College, PalatineAutoCAD course · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimated$44,800
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, AutoCAD Designer+ Project Management Specialist at Harper College
    More details about AutoCAD Designer+ Project Management Specialist at Harper College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    84%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,205
    Length
    16 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    27
    Earned a year, estimated
    $44,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, AutoCAD Designer+ Project Management Specialist at Harper College

  • Drafting and design (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Computer-Aided Design Technology

    Lake Land College

    Mattoon

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Lake Land College, MattoonDrafting and design (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$50,300
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out

    3 students trained with WIOA funding

    School website, Computer-Aided Design Technology at Lake Land College
    More details about Computer-Aided Design Technology at Lake Land College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    69%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,577
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    21
    Earned a year, estimated
    $50,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    students trained with WIOA funding
    3
    School website, Computer-Aided Design Technology at Lake Land College

  • Architectural drafting (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Arch. & Eng. Drafting Technology - AAS Degree

    Kaskaskia College

    Centralia

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Kaskaskia College, CentraliaArchitectural drafting (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Arch. & Eng. Drafting Technology - AAS Degree at Kaskaskia College
    More details about Arch. & Eng. Drafting Technology - AAS Degree at Kaskaskia College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Arch. & Eng. Drafting Technology - AAS Degree at Kaskaskia College

  • Architectural drafting certificateIn personNo diploma needed

    Architectural and Engineering Design Technology Certificate

    McHenry County College

    Crystal Lake

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    McHenry County College, Crystal LakeArchitectural drafting certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Architectural and Engineering Design Technology Certificate at McHenry County College
    More details about Architectural and Engineering Design Technology Certificate at McHenry County College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Architectural and Engineering Design Technology Certificate at McHenry County College

  • Architectural drafting certificateIn personPrerequisite courses

    Architecture--Computer-Aided Drafting

    Rend Lake College

    Ina

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Rend Lake College, InaArchitectural drafting certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Architecture--Computer-Aided Drafting at Rend Lake College
    More details about Architecture--Computer-Aided Drafting at Rend Lake College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    40 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Architecture--Computer-Aided Drafting at Rend Lake College

  • AutoCAD courseIn personPrerequisite courses

    AutoCAD Designer

    Harper College

    Palatine

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Harper College, PalatineAutoCAD course · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, AutoCAD Designer at Harper College
    More details about AutoCAD Designer at Harper College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, AutoCAD Designer at Harper College

  • AutoCAD courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    AutoCad Certificate

    Kaskaskia College

    Centralia

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Kaskaskia College, CentraliaAutoCAD course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, AutoCad Certificate at Kaskaskia College
    More details about AutoCad Certificate at Kaskaskia College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, AutoCad Certificate at Kaskaskia College

  • AutoCAD courseHybridPrerequisite courses

    CAD AutoCAD Cert 24DQ

    College of Lake County

    Grayslake

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    College of Lake County, GrayslakeAutoCAD course · Accredited schoolHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, CAD AutoCAD Cert 24DQ at College of Lake County
    More details about CAD AutoCAD Cert 24DQ at College of Lake County
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, CAD AutoCAD Cert 24DQ at College of Lake County

  • Drafting and design (associate degree)In personPrerequisite courses

    CAD Drafting Technology - Mechanical AAS 24DC

    College of Lake County

    Grayslake

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    College of Lake County, GrayslakeDrafting and design (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, CAD Drafting Technology - Mechanical AAS 24DC at College of Lake County
    More details about CAD Drafting Technology - Mechanical AAS 24DC at College of Lake County
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, CAD Drafting Technology - Mechanical AAS 24DC at College of Lake County

  • SolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software courseHybridPrerequisite courses

    CAD SolidWorks Cert 24DS

    College of Lake County

    Grayslake

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    College of Lake County, GrayslakeSolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software course · Accredited schoolHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, CAD SolidWorks Cert 24DS at College of Lake County
    More details about CAD SolidWorks Cert 24DS at College of Lake County
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, CAD SolidWorks Cert 24DS at College of Lake County

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaHybridEducation and courses

    Computer Aided Design Certificate

    Southwestern Illinois College

    Belleville

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Southwestern Illinois College, BellevilleDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Computer Aided Design Certificate at Southwestern Illinois College
    More details about Computer Aided Design Certificate at Southwestern Illinois College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Computer Aided Design Certificate at Southwestern Illinois College

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Computer Aided Design Certificate

    College Of DuPage

    Glen Ellyn

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    College Of DuPage, Glen EllynDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Computer Aided Design Certificate at College Of DuPage
    More details about Computer Aided Design Certificate at College Of DuPage
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Computer Aided Design Certificate at College Of DuPage

  • Drafting and design (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Computer Aided Drafting AAS Degree

    Southwestern Illinois College

    Belleville

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Southwestern Illinois College, BellevilleDrafting and design (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Computer Aided Drafting AAS Degree at Southwestern Illinois College
    More details about Computer Aided Drafting AAS Degree at Southwestern Illinois College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    104 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Computer Aided Drafting AAS Degree at Southwestern Illinois College

  • Drafting and design (associate degree)HybridEducation and courses

    Computer-Aided Design AAS

    Workforce Development Center

    Quincy

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Workforce Development Center, QuincyDrafting and design (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Computer-Aided Design AAS at Workforce Development Center
    More details about Computer-Aided Design AAS at Workforce Development Center
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Computer-Aided Design AAS at Workforce Development Center

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Computer-aided Drafting

    Lake Land College

    Mattoon

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Lake Land College, MattoonDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Computer-aided Drafting at Lake Land College
    More details about Computer-aided Drafting at Lake Land College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Computer-aided Drafting at Lake Land College

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

    Drafting and Design AAS

    Lewis and Clark Community College

    Godfrey

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Lewis and Clark Community College, GodfreyDrafting and design (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Drafting and Design AAS at Lewis and Clark Community College
    More details about Drafting and Design AAS at Lewis and Clark Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Drafting and Design AAS at Lewis and Clark Community College

  • SolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software courseHybridEducation and courses

    Engineering Design - SolidWorks Certificate

    Workforce Development Center

    Quincy

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Workforce Development Center, QuincySolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software course · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Engineering Design - SolidWorks Certificate at Workforce Development Center
    More details about Engineering Design - SolidWorks Certificate at Workforce Development Center
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Engineering Design - SolidWorks Certificate at Workforce Development Center

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Engineering Technology Design Certificate

    Triton College

    River Grove

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Triton College, River GroveDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Engineering Technology Design Certificate at Triton College
    More details about Engineering Technology Design Certificate at Triton College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Engineering Technology Design Certificate at Triton College

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

    Manufacturing Engineering Technology CAD Option

    Danville Area Community College

    Danville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Danville Area Community College, DanvilleDrafting and design (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    School website, Manufacturing Engineering Technology CAD Option at Danville Area Community College
    More details about Manufacturing Engineering Technology CAD Option at Danville Area Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    100 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    School website, Manufacturing Engineering Technology CAD Option at Danville Area Community College

How to pay for CAD and drafting courses in Illinois

WIOA funding can pay for CAD and drafting courses in Illinois

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 Chicago, St. Louis, Charleston and other Illinois cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 2 more programs are in 2 other areas.

Other training in Illinois

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

Where the Illinois drafting program numbers come from

Which Illinois drafting programs are on this list?

These are the drafting programs Illinois 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 Illinois offers.

How the prices and results of Illinois 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.

How reliable are the Illinois figures?

The US Department of Labor's own results site lists Illinois among the states with "known data quality concerns".10 We leave out the share who finished for Illinois: only a few programs report it, and those at a typical 11%. We leave out prices for Illinois: the state files a code in place of each price, so no price can be shown.

Sources for the facts about CAD and drafting courses in Illinois

Show the 10 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
  10. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: search page, note on states with known data quality concerns