2026 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/drafting-and-design-technology-technician-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 104 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools.
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2026 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general drafting & design technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools
For return on investment in general drafting & design technology/technician, no school beat Georgia Northwestern Technical College this year. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Seminole State College Of Florida one of the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general drafting & design technology/technician will find it at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $46,748. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earned it the #4 place for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $34,762 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general drafting & design technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $10,423. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College placed #6 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $16,385. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #7 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $7,459. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $35,119 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #8 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Hazard Community And Technical College placed #9 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $12,212. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Hazard Community And Technical College generally make around $32,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #10 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $14,000. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $44,101. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Albany Technical College placed #11 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,364, compared with $5,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $16,321. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $35,895. That is a strong return on a $16,321 median debt.
Central Carolina Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,715, while out-of-state students pay about $9,016. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $40,598. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
Bevill State Community College placed #13 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,734, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,040 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Bevill State Community College earn a median of $38,514 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,040 median debt.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College earned the #14 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Paducah. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of West Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $31,903 early in their careers. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College landed the #15 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $12,245. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earn a median of $45,486 early in their careers. Set against $12,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College placed #16 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,366 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $44,431. Set against $13,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lanier Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,980, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $12,278. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $37,118. Set against $12,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Arkansas Community College placed #18 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,342, with out-of-state students paying around $5,238. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $40,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Athens Technical College placed #19 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,958. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $9,500. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Athens Technical College earn a median of $41,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Eastern Florida State College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Eastern Florida State College is a large public school located in the city of Melbourne. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $18,123. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $44,690 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holmes Community College placed #21 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $13,191. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #22 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $35,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Shelbyville came in at #23 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Shelbyville, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Shelbyville is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Shelbyville generally make around $43,529.
Louisiana Delta Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Monroe, Louisiana Delta Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,159. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $14,024. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $35,839. Set against $14,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sowela Technical Community College earned the #25 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. Students from in state pay about $4,305 in tuition and fees. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,391 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Sowela Technical Community College earn a median of $45,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general drafting & design technology/technician value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
