How can I purchase the AutoCAD program? AutoCAD is very expensive and can cost over $3000. If you are enrolled in a high school or college course then you can get great discounts as a student. For as little as $79 you can lease the software for 1 year (other lease options are available). The software is exactly the same as the commercial version except when you go to print it will display in the margins that the print was generated from a student version. Contact Tom Paton and please let him know we sent you (we don't get any income from this, we just like for him to know how you heard about him). You can also get a free trial version at autodesk.com Free 15-day Trial Version