2026 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools

1

Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

Brazosport College tops our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #2 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.

3

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Rome, GA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned it the #4 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $8,492. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.

5

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drafting & design engineering technology, landing the #5 spot this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $24,385. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Seminole State College Of Florida
Sanford, FL

Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #6 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $18,419. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $48,049. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #7 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.

8

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons came in at #8 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC

Trident Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.

10

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.

11

George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
Dothan, AL

George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earned the #11 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. Students from in state pay about $4,980 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $9,942. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $34,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Hinds Community College
Raymond, MS

Hinds Community College earned the #12 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Students borrow a median of $16,385 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $34,003. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt.

13

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College came in at #13 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.

14

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $9,191. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE

Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #15 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.

16

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College placed #16 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Alvin Community College
Alvin, TX

Alvin Community College landed the #17 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #18 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.

19

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College placed #19 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,533 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $33,960. Set against $11,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Pima Community College placed #21 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $10,655. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Illinois Valley Community College
Oglesby, IL

Illinois Valley Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $8,099. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology 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.

23

Northeast Alabama Community College
Rainsville, AL

Northeast Alabama Community College landed the #23 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $7,459. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology 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.

24

South Georgia Technical College
Americus, GA

South Georgia Technical College earned the #24 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $40,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College came in at #25 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $8,203. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.