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AutoCAD and drafting courses in Detroit, Michigan

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

8 schools offer these drafting programs with classes in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area, and every one is approved 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 Detroit, 9 of the 11 programs take students without a high school diploma and 2 ask for a diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 11 programs here are drafting and design (associate degree, 3 programs), drafting and design certificate or diploma (3 programs), architectural drafting (associate degree, 2 programs), AutoCAD course (2 programs), and 1 more of one other kind.

See the 11 programs

All 29 CAD and drafting programs in Michigan, including online programs

How much do CAD and drafting courses cost in Detroit?

Certificates and short courses (6 programs)
$3,211 to $5,592most of them, usually 2 to 30 weeks long
Two-year degrees (5 programs)
$11,912 to $15,953most of them, usually 90 to 104 weeks long

What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.

In the typical program

Finished the program
40%
Working 6 months later
74%
Earned a year, estimated
about $40,300
Length
26 to 94 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 Detroit may also offer CAD and drafting courses. How these figures are made

Are there free CAD and drafting courses in Detroit?

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

All 11 CAD and drafting programs in Detroit approved for WIOA funding

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11 programs

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

    CAD - Computer Aided Engineering Option

    Oakland Community College

    Bloomfield Hills

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Oakland Community College, Bloomfield HillsDrafting and design (associate degree) · Accredited schoolSeveral formats · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$43,400
    Price if you pay yourself$7,294
    Program website, CAD - Computer Aided Engineering Option at Oakland Community College
    More details about CAD - Computer Aided Engineering Option at Oakland Community College
    Finished
    16%
    Working at 6 months
    69%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,849
    Length
    90 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    122
    Earned a year, estimated
    $43,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,294
    Program website, CAD - Computer Aided Engineering Option at Oakland Community College

  • Drafting and design (associate degree)HybridNo diploma needed

    Product Development

    Macomb Community College

    Warren

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Macomb Community College, WarrenDrafting and design (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$58,200
    Price if you pay yourself$11,912
    Program website, Product Development at Macomb Community College
    More details about Product Development at Macomb Community College
    Finished
    30%
    Working at 6 months
    81%
    Earned in a quarter
    $14,540
    Length
    104 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,500
    Students counted
    97

    Listed 2 times in the state's file with differing results. Shown: the listing with the most students.

    Earned a year, estimated
    $58,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $11,912
    Program website, Product Development at Macomb Community College

  • Architectural drafting (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Architectural Technology

    Macomb Community College

    Warren

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Macomb Community College, WarrenArchitectural drafting (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$24,100
    Price if you pay yourself$12,608
    Program website, Architectural Technology at Macomb Community College
    More details about Architectural Technology at Macomb Community College
    Finished
    47%
    Working at 6 months
    71%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,017
    Length
    104 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,500
    Students counted
    65
    Earned a year, estimated
    $24,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $12,608
    Program website, Architectural Technology at Macomb Community College

  • Architectural drafting (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Architecture/Construction Technology

    Henry Ford College

    Dearborn

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Henry Ford College, DearbornArchitectural drafting (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$22,500
    Price if you pay yourself$15,953
    Program website, Architecture/Construction Technology at Henry Ford College
    More details about Architecture/Construction Technology at Henry Ford College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    57%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,614
    Length
    96 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $4,000
    Students counted
    63
    Earned a year, estimated
    $22,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $15,953
    Program website, Architecture/Construction Technology at Henry Ford College

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    CAD Mechanical Design

    Schoolcraft College

    Livonia

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Schoolcraft College, LivoniaDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$16,400
    Price if you pay yourself$12,932
    Program website, CAD Mechanical Design at Schoolcraft College
    More details about CAD Mechanical Design at Schoolcraft College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    75%
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,098
    Length
    48 weeks, 14 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    41
    Earned a year, estimated
    $16,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $12,932
    Program website, CAD Mechanical Design at Schoolcraft College

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

    Engineering Technology - Engineering Graphics/CAD

    St. Clair County Community College

    Port Huron

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    St. Clair County Community College, Port HuronDrafting and design (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$42,500
    Price if you pay yourself$18,513
    Program website, Engineering Technology - Engineering Graphics/CAD at St. Clair County Community College
    More details about Engineering Technology - Engineering Graphics/CAD at St. Clair County Community College
    Finished
    41%
    Working at 6 months
    81%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,632
    Length
    64 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,344
    Students counted
    35
    Earned a year, estimated
    $42,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $18,513
    Program website, Engineering Technology - Engineering Graphics/CAD at St. Clair County Community College

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaSeveral formatsHigh school diploma or equivalent

    CAD - Level I Fundamentals Certificate of Achievement

    Oakland Community College

    Bloomfield Hills

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Oakland Community College, Bloomfield HillsDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolSeveral formats · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$40,300
    Price if you pay yourself$2,146
    Program website, CAD - Level I Fundamentals Certificate of Achievement at Oakland Community College
    More details about CAD - Level I Fundamentals Certificate of Achievement at Oakland Community College
    Finished
    39%
    Working at 6 months
    74%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,069
    Length
    30 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    24
    Earned a year, estimated
    $40,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,146
    Program website, CAD - Level I Fundamentals Certificate of Achievement at Oakland Community College

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    CAD: Mechanical Design Skills Certificate

    Schoolcraft College

    Livonia

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Schoolcraft College, LivoniaDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,198
    Program website, CAD: Mechanical Design Skills Certificate at Schoolcraft College
    More details about CAD: Mechanical Design Skills Certificate at Schoolcraft College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    24 weeks, 17 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    13
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,198
    Program website, CAD: Mechanical Design Skills Certificate at Schoolcraft College

  • AutoCAD courseHybridNo diploma needed

    Computer Aided Drafting & Design with AutoCAD Program

    ONLC Training Centers Troy

    Troy

    No diploma needed

    ONLC Training Centers Troy, TroyAutoCAD courseHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,250
    Program website, Computer Aided Drafting & Design with AutoCAD Program at ONLC Training Centers Troy
    More details about Computer Aided Drafting & Design with AutoCAD Program at ONLC Training Centers Troy
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    2 weeks, 24 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,250
    Program website, Computer Aided Drafting & Design with AutoCAD Program at ONLC Training Centers Troy

  • AutoCAD courseHybridNo diploma needed

    Computer Aided Drafting & Design with AutoCAD Program

    ONLC Training Centers Livonia

    Livonia

    No diploma needed

    ONLC Training Centers Livonia, LivoniaAutoCAD courseHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,250
    Program website, Computer Aided Drafting & Design with AutoCAD Program at ONLC Training Centers Livonia
    More details about Computer Aided Drafting & Design with AutoCAD Program at ONLC Training Centers Livonia
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    2 weeks, 24 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,250
    Program website, Computer Aided Drafting & Design with AutoCAD Program at ONLC Training Centers Livonia

  • CAD and drafting apprenticeshipHybridNo diploma needed

    Mechanical (CAD)

    Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN)

    Taylor

    No diploma needed

    Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN), TaylorCAD and drafting apprenticeshipHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,372
    More details about Mechanical (CAD) at Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN)
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,372

How to pay for CAD and drafting courses in Detroit

WIOA funding can pay for CAD and drafting courses in Detroit

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.

Other training in Detroit

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

Where the Detroit drafting program numbers come from

Which Detroit drafting programs are on this list?

These are the drafting programs with classes in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area that are 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. Online programs are left out here; they are on the Michigan page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.

How the prices and results of Detroit 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 Detroit

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