[Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/architectural-drafting-and-architectural-cad-cadd/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 133 schools to find the best return on investment for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd students.
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Finding the Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD School for You
Where you study architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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For return on investment in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd, no school beat Florida State College At Jacksonville this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $24,385. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #4 place for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $18,116. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Pasadena City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #7 for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #8 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $11,533. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $33,960. Set against $11,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College landed the #9 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norco College came in at #10 for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #11 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Illinois Valley Community College earned the #12 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #13 for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College earned the #14 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Del Mar College landed the #15 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Triton College placed #16 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $12,994. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #17 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $11,492. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $44,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #18 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #19 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $10,112. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Victor Valley College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $17,611. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $39,610 early in their careers. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology placed #22 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $19,695. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College earned the #23 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
El Paso Community College earned the #24 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sierra College placed #25 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value ranking:
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Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Related Rankings by Major
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 133 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/architectural-drafting-and-architectural-cad-cadd/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
