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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools in the Southeast Region

11 Colleges in the United States
$14,120 Avg Student Debt
$38,205 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Badge [Drafting & Design Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong drafting & design engineering technology education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 152 schools to find the best return on investment for drafting & design engineering technology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools in the Southeast Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the drafting & design engineering technology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools

1
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among drafting & design engineering technology schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned it the #2 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology 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.

3

Trident Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $18,116. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.

4

A rank of #4 makes Seminole State College Of Florida one of the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology 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.

5

Students looking for strong value in drafting & design engineering technology will find it at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $19,139. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.

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Hinds Community College earned the #6 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $34,003. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt.

7

George C Wallace State Community College Dothan placed #7 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $9,942. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $34,762 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.

8

South Georgia Technical College placed #8 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Northeast Alabama Community College earned the #9 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,459 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $35,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #10 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Hazard Community And Technical College placed #11 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hazard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,212 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $32,626. That is a strong return on a $12,212 median debt.

12

Craven Community College earned the #12 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $8,924. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $30,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College came in at #13 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Students borrow a median of $16,131 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Hillsborough Community College placed #14 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.

15
Midlands Technical College crest
Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC

Midlands Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $39,610. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.

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16

Albany Technical College came in at #16 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,364, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Students borrow a median of $16,321 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. Set against $16,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Bevill State Community College came in at #17 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Jasper. In-state tuition and fees average $4,734, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Students borrow a median of $11,040 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology 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.

18

Central Carolina Technical College came in at #18 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sumter. In-state tuition and fees average $5,715, compared with $9,016 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Central Carolina Technical College earn a median of $40,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

West Kentucky Community And Technical College landed the #19 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value 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. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from West Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $31,903. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.

20

Elizabethtown Community And Technical College placed #20 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,245 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $45,486. Set against $12,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21

Bluegrass Community And Technical College landed the #21 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,366 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $44,431. That is a strong return on a $13,366 median debt.

22
Lanier Technical College crest
Lanier Technical College
Gainesville, GA

Lanier Technical College came in at #22 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,980, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,278 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $37,118. That is a strong return on a $12,278 median debt.

23

Athens Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $41,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Northwest Arkansas Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,479 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Northwest Arkansas Community College earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,479 median debt.

25

Eastern Florida State College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, with out-of-state students paying around $10,976. Students borrow a median of $18,123 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $44,690. Set against $18,123 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in drafting & design engineering technology:

26
27
28
29
Germanna Community College crest
Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
46
47
48
49
50

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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 · 152 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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