2026 Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools in the Southwest Region

1

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College tops our 2026 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #2 place for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.

6

New Mexico State University Dona Ana
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned the #6 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $39,399. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Meridian Technology Center
Stillwater, OK

Meridian Technology Center came in at #7 for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Meridian Technology Center is a small public institution. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $61,765.

8

Southern Oklahoma Technology Center
Ardmore, OK

Southern Oklahoma Technology Center came in at #8 for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Located in the rural area of Ardmore, Southern Oklahoma Technology Center is a small public university. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,012.

9

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $47,964 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.

10

Francis Tuttle Technology Center
Oklahoma City, OK

Francis Tuttle Technology Center placed #10 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Students borrow a median of $14,859 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Francis Tuttle Technology Center generally make around $26,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Temple College
Temple, TX

Temple College landed the #11 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Set in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $55,262. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.

12

Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX

Texas State Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $43,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale Community College placed #13 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $13,084. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.