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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering CAD/CADD Associate’s Degree Schools

1 Colleges in the United States
$13,840 Avg Student Debt
$45,864 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering CAD/CADD Associate's Degree Badge [Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering CAD/CADD](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/civil-drafting-and-civil-engineering-cad-cadd/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering CAD/CADD Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering CAD/CADD Schools

1
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Leading the list is Santa Ana College, our #1 best value for civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd in the United States. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd graduates is $11,196. Early-career civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.

2

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd schools. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Early-career civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd graduates make about $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

A rank of #3 makes New Mexico State University Dona Ana one of the best values for civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering Cad/cadd graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.

4

Students looking for strong value in civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd graduates is $14,000. Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering Cad/cadd graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $50,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #5 place for civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

San Joaquin Delta College earned the #6 position for value in civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering Cad/cadd graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.

7

South Puget Sound Community College placed #7 among the best values for civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd. Located in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Typical student debt for civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd graduates is $14,245. Soon after graduation, civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd degree recipients from South Puget Sound Community College generally make around $39,430. That is a strong return on a $14,245 median debt.

8

Southeast Technical Institute landed the #8 spot for civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd value this year. Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Students from in state pay about $7,650 in tuition and fees. Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $18,442 in student loans. Early-career civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd graduates make about $48,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Other Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering CAD/CADD Degree Levels

Explore the best-value civil drafting & civil engineering cad/cadd schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering CAD/CADD
Bachelor's Degrees in Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering CAD/CADD
Master's Degrees in Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering CAD/CADD
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View All Civil Drafting & Civil Engineering CAD/CADD Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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