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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value CAD/CADD Drafting &/or Design Technology/Technician Schools in Illinois

1 Colleges in the United States
$10,056 Avg Student Debt
$43,356 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value CAD/CADD Drafting &/or Design Technology/Technician Badge [CAD/CADD Drafting &/or Design Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/cad-cadd-drafting-and-or-design-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value CAD/CADD Drafting &/or Design Technology/Technician Schools in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value CAD/CADD Drafting &/or Design Technology/Technician Schools

1

Illinois Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician schools in Illinois. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates is $9,602. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $41,313. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL

Students looking for strong value in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician will find it at Triton College, which ranked #3. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #4 place for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates is $11,995. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Elgin Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage landed the #6 spot for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates is $12,492. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College placed #7 among the best values for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

College Of Lake County landed the #8 spot for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician value this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates is $9,785. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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