Computer Aided Drafting and Design
Mechanical drafting offers a blend of creativity, technical expertise, and career opportunities across various industries. Ridgewater College’s Computer-Aided Drafting and Design program trains individuals with a passion for design to make a difference using their creativity and problem-solving skills to make products and parts that people use every day.
Students learn skills in:
- Basic drafting skills and blueprint reading
- Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
- Industry software: AutoCAD, Inventor, Solidworks, Creo, and MasterCAM 3D
- ASME standard practices and manufacturing processes
* Tuition/fees and additional costs are approximate and based on 2025-26 school year.
- 29 credit certificate
- 64 credit diploma
- 67 credit degree
- Online courses
- Start in fall or spring
Program Delivery
Section titled “Program Delivery”- Fully online
- No set meeting time; students attend lecture and access class materials according to their schedule
- Fall and spring start
Program Cost*
Section titled “Program Cost*”Tuition/Fees
Section titled “Tuition/Fees”- AAS – $15,984
- Diploma – $15,268
- Certificate – $6,919
Additional costs
Section titled “Additional costs”- Book costs vary
- Laptop required
Careers & Jobs
Section titled “Careers & Jobs”- Mechanical Drafter
- Parts Designer
- Research Development Drafter
- Manufacturing Drafter
- Design Engineer