2026 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools in Illinois

1

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
Chicago, IL

Leading the list is City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College, our #1 best value for drafting & design engineering technology in Illinois. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Illinois Valley Community College
Oglesby, IL

A rank of #2 makes Illinois Valley Community College one of the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.

3

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drafting & design engineering technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $9,602. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Triton College
River Grove, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Triton College earned it the #4 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #5 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $11,995. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.

6

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College earned the #6 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.

7

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College landed the #8 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College landed the #9 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County landed the #10 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.

11

Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL

Kaskaskia College placed #11 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.