Top Cities for AutoCAD Classes & Training

Students interested in learning AutoCAD at a dedicated training facility will find that almost all of their options are in major metropolitan areas. Since this is also where many of the highest-paying jobs reside, it makes sense that students looking for a career change may want to consider looking at the kinds of cities that offer the most robust training options for aspiring Engineers or Designers.

What is AutoCAD?

AutoCAD is the most widely-used computer-aided design (CAD) software worldwide. It is used to create architectural, construction, and engineering blueprints, schematics, and models. Released by Autodesk in 1982, AutoCAD makes 2D and 3D designing more efficient. As a result, millions of professionals across several industries rely daily on this powerful, collaborative software.

Read more about what AutoCAD is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with AutoCAD Skills?

AutoCAD enables users to create, edit and collaborate across desktop, web, and mobile devices. With AutoCAD, you can produce precise 2D and 3D drawings and models, electrical diagrams, construction drawings, interior designs, and more. 

AutoCAD is a versatile software featuring many industry-specific tools and features. It makes the design process easier through its many automation and customization tools. AutoCAD is a popular and vital tool for professionals in many industries, including interior design, project management, machining, manufacturing, architectural design, and engineering. The software allows team members to share and collaborate seamlessly on projects across their devices from anywhere.

New York City, NY

AutoCAD professionals will find plenty of job opportunities within NYC, home to over 1 million businesses. Some of the city’s top industries in need of Engineers and Designers include healthcare, real estate, publishing, manufacturing, and information technology. Many industries use AutoCAD to design new products, while others use the program to produce images or drawings. 

NYC’s job growth is in line with the national average. Job seekers will find the cost of living within the city is high, as well as the competition. Even though salaries for Engineers in NYC are higher than the national average, those intending to work within city limits must carefully note their budget.

Students can choose beginner, intermediate, and advanced AutoCAD classes in NYC. Among these is Noble Desktop’s hands-on training facility and computer lab. Students will also find around 200 colleges and universities. The most prestigious of these schools include Columbia University, Cornell University, and New York University, among others. Networking opportunities within the city can be found through Autodesk meetups for Product Managers and Engineers. Engineering events and tradeshows are also commonly found.

Like most major cities, the main draws to NYC include its cultural diversity, exciting nightlife, major food scene, and rich entertainment. However, the city’s fast pace and “unsleeping” reputation may prove too intense for some individuals. 

Los Angeles, CA

Like NYC, job growth in Los Angeles sits at a similar rate to the national average. The cost of living in Los Angeles is lower than in NYC. However, so are the city’s salaries. Even so, salaries for Engineers in Los Angeles are still higher than the national average. The city boasts beautiful year-round weather, making it an attractive alternative to the Big Apple. 

AutoCAD Engineers and Designers will be drawn to Los Angeles for its major aerospace, bioscience, transportation, and fashion industries. The city is also a growing tech and startup hub. Networking opportunities can be found in digital design or engineering meetup groups, and the city has hosted Autodesk industry events. 

Los Angeles is home to over 60 colleges and universities. The most notable of these include UCLA and the California Institute of Technology. Students can choose between these schools and a variety of AutoCAD courses in Los Angeles from various training institutions. Students will enjoy the city’s rich cultural diversity, numerous outdoor activities, and hiring opportunities provided through internships and career networking.

Chicago, IL

Chicago's job growth aligns with the national average. The city’s top industries that should attract Designers and Engineers include manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and retail. Chicago is the third most populated city in the United States, and its cost of living is lower than most major cities. It also boasts a robust public transportation system. 

Students will find a variety of AutoCAD classes in Chicago available for various learning levels. Chicago is also home to over 100 colleges and universities where they may pursue education in AutoCAD and other interests. The city also hosts a number of design and engineering meetups and conferences. Autodesk routinely hosts events within the city. For students hoping to continue to live and work in Chicago, it is one of the best cities for Designers and Engineers to find employment and enjoy high salaries. 

Dallas, TX

Dallas’s job growth and employment are climbing faster than the national average. In fact, the city is one of the fastest-growing in the country. Top industries in Dallas of interest to prospective Engineers and Designers include manufacturing, construction, information technology, healthcare, and defense. These top industries make Dallas and the state of Texas top choices for engineering work opportunities. The city also boasts a low cost of living compared to many other major cities, including Chicago.

Students will find AutoCAD courses in Dallas at training institutions for learners of various levels. The city is also home to around 40 colleges and universities that offer engineering and design classes and programs. Most notable Dallas schools include the University of Texas and Southern Methodist University. Network opportunities are also available in design and engineering meetups and events. Students consistently choose to study in Dallas for the excitement and diversity of a big city without the big city cost.

Houston, TX

Job growth in Houston is higher than the national average, while its cost of living is lower. The Port of Houston is a significant career hub for the city and the state of Texas. The top industries in Houston make it a prime city of choice for Engineers. These include energy, healthcare, biomedical, aerospace, and manufacturing. 

Students can find AutoCAD courses in Houston through various learning institutions. They may also choose from over 40 colleges and universities that offer engineering courses and programs. Three of the most notable Houston schools include Rice University, the University of Houston, and the University of St. Thomas. Networking opportunities include engineering and design meetups, industry events, and trade shows. 

Prospective students may have difficulty choosing between Dallas and Houston as the cities sound similar. Common factors to consider between the two include the cost of living, student demographics, and leisure activities. 

Philadelphia, PA

The pandemic hit many cities hard, and Philadelphia is no exception. While the city’s economy suffered, the job market of Philadelphia has since climbed back to match the national average. While Philadelphia’s cost of living is higher than the national average, the city is still more affordable than most other large cities. Philadelphia’s housing costs align with the national average, and the city provides public transportation. 

AutoCAD Designers will find themselves at home in Philadelphia as the city is reportedly one of the best in the nation for the arts. While design events, such as the DesignPhiladelphia Festival, are more prevalent in the city, Engineers will also discover meetups for industries such as healthcare, automation, and hardware. Top industries in Philadelphia of interest to Designers and Engineers include manufacturing, energy, healthcare, plastics, education, telecommunication, tourism, and more. 

Students can attend AutoCAD courses in Philadelphia provided by top training institutions. The city is also home to over 50 colleges and universities. A few of these top schools reside within “University City,” where students can learn, network, and find community. The city also hosts “CollegeFest,” a yearly event that welcomes and introduces students and graduates to the city, its resources, and job opportunities. 

Atlanta, GA 

Atlanta’s job growth is above the national average, and the city’s cost of living is lower than the three major cities on this list. Top industries in Atlanta of interest to Designers and Engineers include healthcare, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, media and communications, and film and television. Additional draws to the city include affordable housing, walkability, and a moderate climate. 

Students can attend AutoCAD classes in Atlanta through top training institutions. The city also hosts over 50 colleges and universities. Two of the most notable include Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Prospective Engineers and Designers will find network opportunities through local meetups and events. The city also boasts abundant internship opportunities.

Boston, MA

Boston’s job growth has climbed above the national average and is expected to continue to grow. Top industries of interest to Designers and Engineers include education, government services, biotech, healthcare, transportation, and utilities. While Boston provides many opportunities for job seekers, with the city’s unemployment below the national average, the job market is highly competitive. The city is also one of the most expensive cities in the nation, just behind New York City. 

Boston attracts students from around the globe and has gained a reputation as a global education hub. The city hosts over 40 colleges and universities, the most notable being the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, and Harvard University. Students can attend AutoCAD classes in Boston from these schools or other training institutions. 

Boston holds many networking opportunities for Designers and Engineers. Both professionals will find an abundance of meetup groups and events. Engineers may seek membership in the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (BSCES) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Designers will be interested in week-long city events: Boston Design Week and Boston Fashion Week. One of the few Autodesk offices in the country is located in Boston.

San Francisco, CA 

The job growth in San Francisco sits above the national average. The city’s Bay Area is a major career hub and a significant driver of this growth. Like Boston, San Francisco’s unemployment sits below the national average. However, the city’s cost of living is high, just behind Boston on the list of most expensive cities in the country. On average, Designer and Engineer salaries in San Francisco are higher than in Boston, possibly making the city more affordable for some job seekers. Top industries within the city related to these professions include technology, healthcare, digital media, education, and manufacturing.

Students can choose to attend AutoCAD courses in San Francisco through over 20 colleges and universities within the city or a variety of prestigious training facilities. Networking is available through engineering and design meetups and communities, including IxDF (Interaction Design Foundation) San Francisco. Design industry events are held regularly at the San Francisco Design Center, and the city holds a week-long design festival every year. Engineering conferences and events are also held throughout the year. Autodesk is headquartered in San Francisco. 

Seattle, WA

Seattle is another city on this list experiencing job growth that is higher than average and unemployment that is below. Top industries in the city attractive to Designers and Engineers include technology, professional services, aerospace, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, construction, and maritime. Salaries are, on average, lower than in San Francisco, but so is the cost of living. Prospective residents are drawn to Seattle for its abundance of outdoor activities, diverse culture, and mild weather. 

Students can attend AutoCAD courses in Seattle through over 30 colleges and universities or any prestigious training institution. Networking opportunities can be found through numerous meetups and communities available for Designers and Engineers, including IxDF (Interaction Design Foundation) Seattle. The city hosts an annual design festival, and the College of Engineering at the University of Washington holds regular career events. 

Denver, CO

Job growth in Denver is around the national average, and the city’s low cost of living makes it one of the most affordable on this list. Top industries in Denver of interest to Designers and Engineers include healthcare, aerospace, telecommunications, financial services, bioscience, energy, and information technology. Denver features a strong startup scene and features robust incentives for new businesses.

AutoCAD courses in Denver are available through a number of prestigious training institutions. Students may also choose to attend courses through any of Denver's 30 colleges and universities. A few of the most notable include the University of Colorado, the University of Denver, and Colorado State University. Networking opportunities are available through various Design and Engineer communities and meetups, including IxDF (Interaction Design Foundation) Denver. A week-long design festival is held annually within the city, and Engineering events and conferences are hosted annually. One of Autodesk’s main offices is also in Denver.

Austin, TX

The economy of Austin is on the rise and growing faster than the national average. According to Austin’s Chamber of Commerce, the city is growing the 7th fastest among 50 other major cities within the nation. Top industries of interest to Designers and Engineers include manufacturing, automotive, clean technology, professional and business services, digital media, transportation, life sciences, utilities, and aerospace. The cost of living in Austin is lower than in Denver. However, average Designer salaries within the city are more competitive than Engineers.

AutoCAD courses in Austin are featured through prestigious training institutions. Students may also attend engineering or design courses through the 15 colleges and universities within the city. Networking opportunities are available through various design and engineering meetups and communities, including AIGA Austin, the city’s professional association for design. The University of Texas in Austin also hosts industry engineering events. 

San Jose, CA

The economy of San Jose is rising faster than the national average. The city also boasts a low unemployment rate. San Jose is a more affordable city than San Francisco for students and job seekers seeking the California scene. Top industries of interest include manufacturing, professional services, sciences, technical services, and healthcare.

AutoCAD courses in San Jose are available through numerous prestigious training institutions. Students can also choose to attend classes through the 20 colleges and universities within the city. There are many design and engineering meetups and communities within San Jose. Design and engineering conferences and events are also regularly held in the city. 

Learn AutoCAD Skills Online

Students and job seekers who don’t live within these major cities can still learn AutoCAD through online opportunities. Noble Desktop’s live online courses offer similar learning experiences to in-person classrooms. Instructors are live and assist students in real time. They can also, with permission, view or take control of a student’s computer screen to help with complex tasks. Students can study wherever they find the most comfortable with a reliable internet connection. 

Learn more about live online AutoCAD courses near you and explore your options with Noble’s Classes Near Me Tool.

Learn AutoCAD Skills with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers a variety of AutoCAD classes for learners at all levels. Whether you attend online or in-person, you’ll get hands-on training from leading industry experts. In addition, Noble’s courses are taught in small groups and include an optional free retake for students within a year.

Noble’s AutoCAD Level 1 provides an overview of the basics. AutoCAD Level 2 builds upon the fundamentals and teaches you to create more technical and advanced projects. Noble’s AutoCAD Bootcamp combines all topics from Levels 1 and 2 for a comprehensive overview of everything you’ll need to master the software.