Contact Information
General Contact
- School Code: 123200
- Phone: (415) 834-0000 x0000
- School Homepage
Admissions Office
Financial Aid Office
FINANCIAL AID RATE
73%STUDENT TEACHER RATIO
27:1DEGREE OFFERED ONLINE
26FINANCIAL AID AWARD AVG.
$2,416Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students
Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid
Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition
School Map
CAD Training
The computer aided design program at American River College prepares students for careers as mechanical drafter or other areas of manufacturing such as design, engineering, and management. The program focuses on applying technical skills to create working drawings and computer simulations for a variety of applications. Program courses include: specification interpretation, dimensioning techniques, drafting circulations, material estimation, technical communications, computer applications, and interpersonal communications. Get more details below including other California colleges that offer cad training.
Learn more by requesting information now!

American River College
30 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA
American River College (ARC) is a two-year public college that is part of the Los Rios Community College District in the five-county region of Sacramento, California. The other community colleges in this district include Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College and Sacramento City College. ARC grants occupational certificates and technical education as well as associate's degrees. There are also online classes and e-services available. ARC offers excellent post-secondary education to students seeking to transfer to four-year institutions.
Known for its innovative programs, ARC is also one of the largest community colleges in California. It transfers a significant number of students to UC Davis and California State University - Sacramento.
History
In 1942, Sacramento's Grant Union Junior College was opened to train civilians for service in World War II. It grew as a technical college and the name was changed in 1945, and again in 1955, when it became American River Junior College District. In 1965, the college was renamed American River College (ARC) and became part of the Los Rios Community College District.
ARC began providing training for Sacramento police, sheriff, fire personnel, and the basic police academy at the Sacramento Regional Public Safety Training Center.
Academics
American River College follows the semester system, offering a fall, spring and summer semester.
In addition to running the Sacramento Regional Public Safety Training Center, ARC offers numerous programs of study on its main campus.
ARC Programs of Study:
- Behavioral & Social Sciences
- Computer Science & Information Technology
- English
- Fine & Applied Arts
- Health & Education
- Humanities
- Mathematics
- Physical Education & Athletics
- Science & Engineering
- Technical Education
Student Life
American River College serves a large and diverse student body, and offers many student programs and support services including:
- Accelerated College Education (ACE)
- CalWORKS (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids)
- Career Center
- Child Development Centers
- Cooperative Agencies Resources Education (CARE)
- Counseling Center
- Disabled Students Programs and Services
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Center
- EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services)
- Foster and Kinship Care Education - Independent Living Program
- Four Directions College Success Program (FDCSP)
- Honors Program
- Journey
- Learning Communities
- Learning Disabilities (LD) Program
- Learning Resource Center (LRC)
- Library
- Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement Program (MESA)
- Math Multimedia Learning Center (MMLC)
- Partnership to Assure College Entry (PACE)
- Puente Program
- Reading Across Disciplines (RAD)
- Reading Center
- Re-entry and Veterans Information Center
- Science Skills Center
- Tutorial Center
- Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)
There are many ARC campus events and recreational activities available to ARC students that include theatre and music performances, sports events, career fairs and workshops, as well as "College Hour," which offers a calendar of various talks, panels and discussions of timely issues.
Traditions
The "stately" oak tree is the college's official symbol and the beaver its official mascot (nicknamed "Igor" for "eager-beaver".)
Athletics
The American River College's Beaver Teams are active in many intercollegiate athletics including:
Men's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Soccer
- Water Polo
- Baseball
- Golf
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track & Field
Women's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
- Softball
- Swimming
- Track & Field
- Tennis
Satellite Campuses
American River College has several Off-Campus Centers offering classes around the Sacramento metro area that include:
- Ethan Way Center
- Mather Center
- McClellan Center
- Natomas Center
- San Juan Center
- Twin Rivers Pre-Apprenticeship Training Center
Community Life
American River College's Community and Diversity Center Initiative (CDCI) was established to provide bridges between its students and the community. The CDCI offers resources for opportunities to meet other students and community members to build a support network. Its mission is to help students and community expand and grow with "cross-cultural understanding, awareness and responsiveness."
Students Enrolled in the CAD Program
Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. American River College has offered the following academic levels for students:
- Less Than Two-Year Award
- Associate's Degree
Students by Academic Level (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Less Than Two-Year Award | 14 |
Associate's Degree | 11 |
Students by Gender (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Male | 16 |
Female | 9 |
Students by Race (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Asian | 1 |
Hispanic | 7 |
White | 13 |
Multiple Races | 2 |
Unknown | 2 |
Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.
Career Options for Graduates
Students who have completed the CAD program at American River College, have entered into some of these more popular career paths listed below:Architectural Drafters
Description
Prepare detailed drawings of architectural designs and plans for buildings and structures according to specifications provided by architect.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, architectural drafters employment is expected to shrink at a rate of -3.0% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division
- Total Employment: 1
- Average Hourly Rate: $29.17
- Average Annual Salary: $60680
- San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
- Total Employment: 1
- Average Hourly Rate: $32.01
- Average Annual Salary: $66570
Electronic Drafters
Description
Draw wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings used for manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic equipment.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, electronic drafters employment is expected to grow at a rate of 5.4% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division
- Total Employment: 450
- Average Hourly Rate: $33.69
- Average Annual Salary: $70080
- San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
- Total Employment: 200
- Average Hourly Rate: $29.52
- Average Annual Salary: $61400
Mechanical Drafters
Description
Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, mechanical drafters employment is expected to shrink at a rate of -6.8% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division
- Total Employment: 300
- Average Hourly Rate: $30.48
- Average Annual Salary: $63400
- San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
- Total Employment: 80
- Average Hourly Rate: $32.74
- Average Annual Salary: $68110
Drafters, All Other
Description
All drafters not listed separately.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, drafters, all other employment is expected to shrink at a rate of -3.4% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division
- Total Employment: 240
- Average Hourly Rate: $27.85
- Average Annual Salary: $57940
- San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
- Total Employment: 40
- Average Hourly Rate: $31.33
- Average Annual Salary: $65160
Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Admission Requirements & Details
The admissions information below may give an overview of the students American River College accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any college or dual credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To support students and graduates, American River College may offer student services like:- Distance learning
- Remedial instructional courses
- Counseling assistance
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Employment search assistance
- Child care
Intercollegiate Athletics
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Track and Field, Outdoor
- Track and Field, X-Country
- Volleyball
- Water Polo