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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools in the Southwest Region

8 Colleges in the United States
$10,467 Avg Student Debt
$40,588 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Badge [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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools to find the best return on investment for general drafting & design technology/technician students.

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2026 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools in the Southwest 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

1
Brazosport College crest
Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

For return on investment in general drafting & design technology/technician, no school beat Brazosport College this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.

2
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

A rank of #2 makes El Centro College one of the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

3

A rank of #3 makes South Texas College one of the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Pima Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $40,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Students looking for strong value in general drafting & design technology/technician will find it at Alvin Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Trinity Valley Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,323 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $32,623 early in their careers. Set against $12,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #7 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

El Paso Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.

9

New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned the #9 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $10,284. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.

10

Northern New Mexico College landed the #10 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,064, compared with $14,328 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.

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11
Grayson College crest
Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #12 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $30,343. That is a strong return on a $10,058 median debt.

13

Laredo Community College landed the #13 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

14

North Central Texas College came in at #14 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Students borrow a median of $15,965 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $43,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Houston Community College landed the #15 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,040 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $45,548. Set against $12,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College landed the #16 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.

17
Temple College crest
Temple College
Temple, TX

Temple College placed #17 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Temple College earn a median of $55,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

San Jacinto Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $11,376. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.

19

Lamar Institute Of Technology earned the #19 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,844, with out-of-state students paying around $12,924. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,278 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $50,068. Set against $14,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20
Angelina College crest
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX

Angelina College placed #20 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,430 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,490 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $7,828. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $50,767 early in their careers. Set against $7,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21

Collin County Community College District ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Tulsa Technology Center placed #22 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $32,406. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.

23

Eastern Arizona College landed the #23 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $9,552. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $6,781. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Eastern Arizona College earn a median of $40,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,781 median debt.

24

Mesa Community College came in at #24 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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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 · 46 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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