Map drafter education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a map drafter. Map drafters usually study drafting and design, geography, or business. 52% of map drafters hold a associate degree, and 24% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 39 real map drafter resumes to see exactly what map drafter education sections show.

The most common colleges for map drafters are the Briarcliffe College and the Briarcliffe College.

There are also many online map drafter courses to help get the education required to be a map drafter.

What education do you need to become a map drafter?

What degree do you need to be a map drafter?

The most common degree for map drafters is associate degree, with 52% of map drafters earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 24% and bachelor's degree degree at 14%.

Associate, 52%

Bachelor's, 24%

High School Diploma, 14%

Diploma, 10%

What should I major in to become a map drafter?

You should major in drafting and design to become a map drafter. 38% of map drafters major in drafting and design. Other common majors for a map drafter include geography and business.

Drafting And Design, 38%

Geography, 8%

Business, 4%

Geology, 4%

Other Majors, 46%

Most common colleges for map drafters

Map drafters often get their degrees at Briarcliffe College, West Virginia State University, and Remington College. Here are the most common colleges for map drafters in the US based on their resumes.

Map drafter common college	Percentages
Briarcliffe College	11.11%
West Virginia State University	11.11%
Remington College	11.11%
Southern Connecticut State University	11.11%
San Diego Mesa College	11.11%

Show more common map drafter colleges

Best majors for map drafters

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Drafting And Design	37.5%
2	Geography	8.3%
3	Business	4.2%
4	Geology	4.2%
5	Liberal Arts	4.2%

Show more common map drafter majors

Best colleges for map drafters

The best colleges for map drafters are Rochester Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, and Southern Utah University.

A map drafter with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for map drafters. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become map drafters.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

2. Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$47,646

Enrollment

2,924

3. LeTourneau University

Longview, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$30,210

Enrollment

1,771

4. Dunwoody College of Technology

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$22,046

Enrollment

1,294

5. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Enrollment

3,721

20 best online courses for map drafters

Advertising disclosure

1. GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis

This Specialization is for those new to mapping and GIS, as well as anyone looking to gain a better understanding of how it all works and why. You will learn practical skills that can be applied to your own work using cutting-edge software created by Esri Inc., the world's leading GIS company and our industry partner.\n\nPLEASE NOTE: THE SOFTWARE IS NO LONGER PROVIDED WITH THIS COURSE. YOU WILL HAVE TO OBTAIN IT ON YOUR OWN...

2. Introduction to Systems and Network Mapping with Kumu

In this 1-hour long project-based course, you will create an interactive multi-elements relationship map, as well as design visualizations for a real-world social network, based on metrics analyses. Besides helping you to make sense of complex data, relationship maps like the ones we will build here are a great medium to visually present Causal Loop and Stock and Flow diagrams, as well as non-linear dynamics within an ecosystem. This project will also introduce you to some of the basic concepts...

3. Map Academy: get mapping quickly, with QGIS

4.7

(901)

Go from map zero to map hero with QGIS: 'heat maps', locator maps, election maps, density maps, analysis, design + more...

4. Business Process Mapping

4.3

(288)

The complete guide to map any business process...

5. Robotic Mapping and Trajectory Generation

In this second course of the Introduction to Robotics specialization, "Robotic Mapping and Trajectory Generation", you will learn how to perform basic inverse kinematics of (non-)holonomic systems using a feedback control approach. You will also learn how to process multi-dimensional sensor signals such as laser range scanners for mapping. Additionally, you will apply the overarching focus of mechanisms and sensors as sources of uncertainty and gain techniques to how to model and control them...

6. Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an increasingly sought after skill in industries from agriculture to public health. This Specialization, offered in partnership with ArcGIS developer Esri, will teach the skills you need to successfully use GIS software in a professional setting. You will learn how to analyze your spatial data, use cartography techniques to communicate your results in maps, and collaborate with peers in GIS and GIS-dependent fields. In the final Capstone...

7. Mind Maps/ Mind Mapping for Teachers, Trainers, & Presenters

4.2

(325)

Using Mind Mapping to Plan>Rehearse >Teach brain-friendly lessons, broadcasts or webinars (Mind Maps,Memory,Mindmapping)...

8. Internet Mapping with Geoserver, Postgres, and Openlayers 3

4.2

(602)

Create your first Internet Map Server application using Open Source GIS tools this weekend...

9. Leadership, Business Process Improvement, & Process Mapping!

4.5

(3,086)

Learn the leadership, communication, and process mapping skills to accelerate your career!...

10. Mind Mapping Mastery -> Effective Mind Maps -> Step by Step

4.5

(4,742)

Mind Mapping - SMART Productivity and Memory Tool: Think Clearly, Organise, & Plan better; Study, Learn, & Recall Faster...

11. Process Mapping and Flowcharts Certification (Accredited)

4.5

(1,994)

Complete Process Mapping and Process Flowcharts Guide - Beginners Process Mapping Specialist Certification Earn PDUs...

12. Certified Process Mapping / Flowcharts Expert Accredited

4.7

(352)

Accredited Process Mapping / Process Flowcharts Training And Certification Use Process Mapping For Process Improvement...

13. Value Stream Mapping Masterclass: Become a VSM Specialist

4.5

(2,262)

Get Value Stream Mapping (VSM) Trained Become a Certified Value Stream Mapping (VSM) Specialist Earn PDUs CPDs...

14. Blender 2.8 UV Mapping

4.8

(479)

Learn to UV Map your 3D models in Blender 2.8...

15. Maps with R Leaflet

4.4

(340)

Transform your data into interactive maps!...

16. Interactive maps with Mapbox!

4.3

(321)

Data, Mapbox Studio, and Mapbox GL JS...

17. Mind map for Beginners. How to make learning fun and fast.

4.5

(1,550)

Learn to Mind Map in 2 hrs with these succinct videos. A vital 21C skill to deal with information overload...

18. Openlayers 6 From Scratch With A Project

4.8

(791)

Master Open Layers (Java Script web mapping library) and build web mapping applications...

19. Design Thinking: Customer Journey Mapping

4.1

(320)

Sure shot way to delight customers, recreate value proposition, improve customer experience (CX) & become profitable...

20. Electrical Power Engineering Principles

4.7

(1,112)

Learn all the basic theories and principles of electrical engineering...

Top 10 most affordable universities for map drafters

The most affordable schools for map drafters are Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, inter american university of puerto rico aguadilla, and southern utah university.

If the best universities for map drafters are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for map drafters.

1. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Tifton, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$3,503

Cost of attendance

12,843

2. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla

Aguadilla, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,284

3. Southern Utah University

Cedar City, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$6,770

Cost of attendance

19,636

4. New York City College of Technology of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,120

Cost of attendance

13,997

5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico San German

San German, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

14,322

6. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,633

Cost of attendance

19,235

7. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,570

Cost of attendance

23,713

8. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Delhi, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,360

Cost of attendance

23,486

9. Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,032

Cost of attendance

17,711

10. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$11,788

Cost of attendance

22,715

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for map drafters

The hardest universities for map drafters to get into are Rochester Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, and Southern Utah University.

Some great schools for map drafters are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for map drafters based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,319

2. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

3. Southern Utah University

Cedar City, UT • Private

Admissions rate

79%

SAT average

1,183

4. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

Admissions rate

63%

SAT average

1,071

5. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

1,120

6. Kent State University

Kent, OH • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,131

7. Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,107

8. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Delhi, NY • Private

Admissions rate

64%

SAT average

1,011

9. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

10. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for map drafters

The easiest schools for map drafters to get into are SUNY College of Technology at Delhi, suny college of technology at alfred, and kent state university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a map drafter without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for map drafters.

1. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Delhi, NY • Private

Admissions rate

64%

SAT average

1,011

2. SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY • Private

Admissions rate

63%

SAT average

1,071

3. Kent State University

Kent, OH • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,131

4. Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,107

5. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

6. Southern Utah University

Cedar City, UT • Private

Admissions rate

79%

SAT average

1,183

7. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

8. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

1,120

9. SUNY College of Agriculture & Technology at Morrisville

Morrisville, NY • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

955

10. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,319

Average map drafter salary by education level

According to our data, map drafters with a Associate degree earn the highest average salary, at $59,414 annually. Map drafters with a High School Diploma degree earn an average annual salary of $54,831.

Map drafter education level	Map drafter salary
High School Diploma or Less	$54,831
Some College/ Associate Degree	$59,414

Map drafter education FAQs

What is the best college for Map Drafters?

Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.

Search for map drafter jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse architecture and engineering jobs