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AutoCAD and drafting courses in Tennessee

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

12 schools offer these drafting programs, and Tennessee 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 Tennessee, 7 of the 13 programs take students without a high school diploma, 5 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 1 asks for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 13 programs here are drafting and design certificate or diploma (11 programs), SolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software course (1 program) and drafting and design (associate degree, 1 program).

See the 13 programs

How much do CAD and drafting courses cost in Tennessee?

$5,492 to $5,537 is what most CAD and drafting programs in Tennessee cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 13 programs with a price. All of them: $1,499 to $10,164

In the typical program

Finished the program
67%
Working 6 months later
74%
Earned a year, estimated
about $35,000
Length
57 to 60 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 Tennessee may also offer CAD and drafting courses. How these figures are made

Are there free CAD and drafting courses in Tennessee?

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

All 13 CAD and drafting programs in Tennessee approved for WIOA funding

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13 programs

  • SolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software courseHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    SOLIDWORKS Essentials-CAD and CWSA Prep

    Pellissippi State Community College

    Knoxville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Pellissippi State Community College, KnoxvilleSolidWorks, Revit and other CAD software course · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$29,200
    Price if you pay yourself$1,499
    School website, SOLIDWORKS Essentials-CAD and CWSA Prep at Pellissippi State Community College
    More details about SOLIDWORKS Essentials-CAD and CWSA Prep at Pellissippi State Community College
    Finished
    71%
    Working at 6 months
    81%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,290
    Length
    8 weeks, 32 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    461
    Earned a year, estimated
    $29,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,499
    School website, SOLIDWORKS Essentials-CAD and CWSA Prep at Pellissippi State Community College

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Drafting / Cad Technology

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Morristown

    Morristown

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Morristown, MorristownDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$34,800
    Price if you pay yourself$5,760

    6 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Drafting / Cad Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Morristown
    More details about Drafting / Cad Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Morristown
    Finished
    78%
    Working at 6 months
    77%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,698
    Length
    58 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,695
    Students counted
    95
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,760
    students trained with WIOA funding
    6
    Program website, Drafting / Cad Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Morristown

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

    Industrial Technology - Engineering Design Technology

    Northeast State Community College

    Blountville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Northeast State Community College, BlountvilleDrafting and design (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$39,800
    Price if you pay yourself$10,164
    Program website, Industrial Technology - Engineering Design Technology at Northeast State Community College
    More details about Industrial Technology - Engineering Design Technology at Northeast State Community College
    Finished
    70%
    Working at 6 months
    95%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,954
    Length
    64 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,916
    Students counted
    93
    Earned a year, estimated
    $39,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,164
    Program website, Industrial Technology - Engineering Design Technology at Northeast State Community College

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

    Computer Aided Design Technology

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Murfreesboro

    Murfreesboro

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Murfreesboro, MurfreesboroDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$42,000
    Price if you pay yourself$7,416
    More details about Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Murfreesboro
    Finished
    66%
    Working at 6 months
    76%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,500
    Length
    58 weeks, 22 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,787
    Students counted
    75
    Earned a year, estimated
    $42,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,416

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Computer Aided Design Technology

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Jackson

    Jackson

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Jackson, JacksonDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$40,500
    Price if you pay yourself$5,537
    Program website, Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Jackson
    More details about Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Jackson
    Finished
    67%
    Working at 6 months
    71%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,137
    Length
    57 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $650
    Students counted
    68
    Earned a year, estimated
    $40,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,537
    Program website, Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Jackson

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Computer Aided Design Technology

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Shelbyville

    Shelbyville

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Shelbyville, ShelbyvilleDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$34,900
    Price if you pay yourself$5,492

    3 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Shelbyville
    More details about Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Shelbyville
    Finished
    78%
    Working at 6 months
    72%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,714
    Length
    58 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,410
    Students counted
    63
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,492
    students trained with WIOA funding
    3
    Program website, Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Shelbyville

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Computer Aided Design Technology

    Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest

    Newbern

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest, NewbernDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$31,600
    Price if you pay yourself$5,492
    Program website, Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest
    More details about Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest
    Finished
    79%
    Working at 6 months
    55%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,900
    Length
    58 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $110
    Students counted
    38
    Earned a year, estimated
    $31,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,492
    Program website, Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Computer Aided Design Technology

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Crump

    Crump

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Crump, CrumpDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$28,100
    Price if you pay yourself$5,492
    Program website, Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Crump
    More details about Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Crump
    Finished
    48%
    Working at 6 months
    65%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,016
    Length
    58 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $936
    Students counted
    36
    Earned a year, estimated
    $28,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,492
    Program website, Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Crump

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Computer Aided Design Technology

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Hohenwald

    Hohenwald

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Hohenwald, HohenwaldDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,492
    Program website, Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Hohenwald
    More details about Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Hohenwald
    Finished
    67%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    60 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,027
    Students counted
    27
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,492
    Program website, Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Hohenwald

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

    Computer-Aided Drafting

    Northeast State Community College

    Blountville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Northeast State Community College, BlountvilleDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$61,600
    Price if you pay yourself$4,862
    Program website, Computer-Aided Drafting at Northeast State Community College
    More details about Computer-Aided Drafting at Northeast State Community College
    Finished
    67%
    Working at 6 months
    60%
    Earned in a quarter
    $15,412
    Length
    32 weeks, 13 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,030
    Students counted
    24
    Earned a year, estimated
    $61,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,862
    Program website, Computer-Aided Drafting at Northeast State Community College

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Computer Aided Design Technology

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Memphis

    Memphis

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Memphis, MemphisDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,492
    More details about Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Memphis
    Finished
    78%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $784
    Students counted
    21
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,492

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personEducation and courses

    Cad Technology

    Chattanooga State Community College

    Chattanooga

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Chattanooga State Community College, ChattanoogaDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$35,200
    Price if you pay yourself$3,348
    Program website, Cad Technology at Chattanooga State Community College
    More details about Cad Technology at Chattanooga State Community College
    Finished
    50%
    Working at 6 months
    90%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,792
    Length
    15 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $500
    Students counted
    14
    Earned a year, estimated
    $35,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,348
    Program website, Cad Technology at Chattanooga State Community College

  • Drafting and design certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Computer Aided Design Technology

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Dickson

    Dickson

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Dickson, DicksonDrafting and design certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,492
    School website, Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Dickson
    More details about Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Dickson
    Finished
    50%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,375
    Students counted
    11
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,492
    School website, Computer Aided Design Technology at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Dickson

How to pay for CAD and drafting courses in Tennessee

WIOA funding can pay for CAD and drafting courses in Tennessee

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 Tennessee

programs with a price cost under $5,000
3 of 13
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
17th of 30
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
3 of 12
CAD and drafting programs here, against the typical state's 7
13 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 Kingsport, Nashville, Knoxville and other Tennessee cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 3 more programs are in 3 other areas, 2 in smaller cities and towns.

Other training in Tennessee

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

Where the Tennessee drafting program numbers come from

Which Tennessee drafting programs are on this list?

These are the drafting programs Tennessee 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 Tennessee offers.

How the prices and results of Tennessee 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 Tennessee

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