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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD Schools in the The Plains States Region

5 Colleges in the United States
$13,691 Avg Student Debt
$42,994 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD Badge [Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/mechanical-drafting-and-mechanical-drafting-cad-cadd/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD Schools in the The Plains States Region

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

Best Value Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD Schools

1

Leading the list is Northeast Community College, our #1 best value for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd in the The Plains States Region. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates is $11,937. Early-career mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates make about $40,568. That is a strong return on a $11,937 median debt.

2
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Early-career mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates make about $41,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

A rank of #3 makes Wichita Area Technical College one of the best values for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,237 in tuition and fees. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $15,252 in student loans. Early-career mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates make about $46,949. That is a strong return on a $15,252 median debt.

4

St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $45,565. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Des Moines Area Community College earned it the #5 place for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates is $12,984. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $44,886 early in their careers. Set against $12,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Anoka Technical College came in at #6 for value in mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd this year. Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Anoka. Students from in state pay about $6,267 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,697 to complete the mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd degree recipients from Anoka Technical College generally make around $44,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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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 · 16 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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