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Mechanical draftsman education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a mechanical draftsman. Mechanical draftsmen usually study drafting and design, mechanical engineering, or mechanical engineering technology. 54% of mechanical draftsmen hold a associate degree, and 29% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 778 real mechanical draftsman resumes to see exactly what mechanical draftsman education sections show.
The most common colleges for mechanical draftsmen are the Purdue University and the Purdue University.
There are also many online mechanical draftsman courses to help get the education required to be a mechanical draftsman.
What education do you need to become a mechanical draftsman?
What degree do you need to be a mechanical draftsman?
- Associate, 54%
- Bachelor's, 29%
- Diploma, 10%
- High School Diploma, 7%
- Other Degrees, 0%
What should I major in to become a mechanical draftsman?
- Drafting And Design, 47%
- Other Majors, 30%
Most common colleges for mechanical draftsmen
| Mechanical draftsman common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Purdue University | 8.51% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 6.38% |
| West Virginia University | 6.38% |
| University of Cincinnati | 6.38% |
| Texas College | 6.38% |
Best majors for mechanical draftsmen
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drafting And Design | 47.3% |
| 2 | Mechanical Engineering | 12.8% |
| 3 | Mechanical Engineering Technology | 5.6% |
| 4 | Industrial Technology | 3.7% |
| 5 | Engineering | 3.2% |
Best colleges for mechanical draftsmen
The best colleges for mechanical draftsmen are Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Johns Hopkins University.
A mechanical draftsman with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for mechanical draftsmen. 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 mechanical draftsmen.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
3. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
4. Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,646
Enrollment
5,736
5. LeTourneau University
Longview, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$30,210
Enrollment
1,771
6. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
7. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
9. University of Dayton
Dayton, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$42,900
Enrollment
8,508
10. Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$12,960
Enrollment
16,157
20 best online courses for mechanical draftsmen
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1. Modelling and simulation of mechanical systems
The course provides the principles of modelling and simulation of modern mechatronic systems, which are mechanical systems integrated with several types of sensors and actuators. The aim of the course is to show different methodologies to improve the potential of mechanical systems by transforming them into mechatronic systems based on virtual models. In particular, the lessons will be focused on case studies in three engineering fields: robotics, controlled electro-hydraulic actuators and...
2. Quantum Mechanics for Engineers
This Specialization is intended for engineers seeking to acquire fundamental understanding of quantum mechanics which are the basis of modern electrical, mechanical and quantum engineering. Through 3 courses, you will learn (1) basic concepts such as superposition and entanglement of quantum states, measurement in quantum mechanics and uncertainty principle, (2) mathematical tools needed to describe and manipulate quantum states, (3) advanced theory of angular momentum and (4) approximation...
3. Mechanics / Statics - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Solid Mechanics / Engineering Statics...
4. Mechanical design and Product development process
Learn the basic ideas and concepts behind developing mechanical products related to mechanical engineering...
5. Attention Mechanism
This course will introduce you to the attention mechanism, a powerful technique that allows neural networks to focus on specific parts of an input sequence. You will learn how attention works, and how it can be used to improve the performance of a variety of machine learning tasks, including machine translation, text summarization, and question answering...
6. Quantum Mechanics
Course 2 of Statistical Thermodynamics presents an introduction to quantum mechanics at a level appropriate for those with mechanical or aerospace engineering backgrounds. Using a postulatory approach that describes the steps to follow, the Schrodinger wave equation is derived and simple solutions obtained that illustrate atomic and molecular structural behavior. More realistic behavior is also explored along with modern quantum chemistry numerical solution methods for solving the wave equation...
7. The Complete Engineering Mechanics Course
Master the fundamentals of mechanics, statics and applied physics and then solve real-world mechanics problems...
8. Basics of Material selection for mechanical design engineers
Learn about the fundamentals of materials and their selection for mechanical engineering design for design engineers...
9. Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design and Manufacturing with Fusion 360
Design for manufacturing is the process of designing parts, components, or products with the understanding surrounding design requirements for a specific manufacturing method. This course explores the design for manufacture workflow and shows how to validate models and create the G code, the programming language needed to instruct the CNC machine on how to move. We practice the basics of part and assembly design, and tools such as animation, rendering, and simulations using Autodesk Fusion 360...
10. Exploring fluid mechanics using Wolfram notebook
Exploring fluid mechanics using Wolfram notebook...
11. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)
Learn about the diesel engine! Ideal for Automotive Engineering and Automobile Engineering!...
12. Python for Mechanical Engineers
Learn Python to solve problems in mechanical fields...
13. Engineering Mechanics: Statics
The Study of Objects in Equilibrium...
14. Data Center Essentials: Mechanical & Cooling
The mechanical cooling systems that support data centers and the internet...
15. Flight Mechanics - From Theory to Certification of Aircraft
Modeling theory, aircraft 6DOF simulation, flight dynamics, flight simulators and aircraft certification...
16. Intro to Fluid Mechanics for Engineering Students Part 1
The basics of hydrostatics, buoyancy and more...
17. HVAC (PART2) with Revit MEP & Practical Projects
your Practical Guide in the Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning with Programs & Layouts (A Complete Project Included)...
18. AutoCAD Mechanical 2D and 3D for Beginners to Advanced
Auto CAD Mechanical Engineering/ Drawing / Drafting / Design in 2D and 3D...
19. Internal Combustion Engine Basics (Mechanical Engineering)
Learn how internal combustion engines work! Learn all of a combustion engine's main components and how they work!...
20. Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering Explained
Learn how things work! Boilers, engines, valves, transformers, pumps, learn it all in this constantly growing course!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for mechanical draftsmen
The most affordable schools for mechanical draftsmen are SUNY Farmingdale, brigham young university, and purdue university.
If the best universities for mechanical draftsmen 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 mechanical draftsmen.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
3. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
4. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
5. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
6. Inter American University of Puerto Rico San German
San German, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
14,322
7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
8. Brigham Young University - Idaho
Rexburg, ID • Private
In-state tuition
$4,118
Cost of attendance
12,223
9. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
10. New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$6,686
Cost of attendance
17,885
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for mechanical draftsmen
The hardest universities for mechanical draftsmen to get into are Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for mechanical draftsmen 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 mechanical draftsmen 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
8. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
9. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,465
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for mechanical draftsmen
The easiest schools for mechanical draftsmen to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, saint martin's university, and cleveland state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a mechanical draftsman 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 mechanical draftsmen.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
3. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
4. Saint Francis University
Loretto, PA • Private
Admissions rate
75%
SAT average
1,146
5. Pennsylvania State University - Berks
Reading, PA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,107
6. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
7. Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,070
8. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
9. Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,111
10. Alabama A & M University
Normal, AL • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
957
Average mechanical draftsman salary by education level
| Mechanical draftsman education level | Mechanical draftsman salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $40,902 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $42,586 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $41,678 |
Mechanical draftsman education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025