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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 Texas

9 Colleges in the United States
$10,601 Avg Student Debt
$40,921 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Badge [Drafting & Design Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for drafting & design engineering technology students.

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2026 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools in Texas

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
Brazosport College crest
Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

Leading the list is Brazosport College, our #1 best value for drafting & design engineering technology in Texas. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College came in at #2 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. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

3

Students looking for strong value in drafting & design engineering technology will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $6,868. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Alvin Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. 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.

5

A rank of #5 makes Trinity Valley Community College one of the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Students borrow a median of $12,323 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $32,623. That is a strong return on a $12,323 median debt.

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6
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #6 spot for drafting & design engineering technology 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, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

El Paso Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.

8
Grayson College crest
Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College landed the #8 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $11,627. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9
Midland College crest
Midland College
Midland, TX

Midland College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $9,000. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #10 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Laredo Community College placed #11 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $41,354. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

12

Austin Community College District earned the #12 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $47,964. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

North Central Texas College earned the #13 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $15,965. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $43,536. Set against $15,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Houston Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $12,040. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $45,548 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,040 median debt.

15
Temple College crest
Temple College
Temple, TX

Temple College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $16,617. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College placed #16 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

San Jacinto Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.

18

Lamar Institute Of Technology landed the #18 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,844, with out-of-state students paying around $12,924. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $14,278. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $50,068. Set against $14,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19
Angelina College crest
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX

Angelina College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $7,828. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $50,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Collin County Community College District came in at #20 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.

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21

Texas State Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,212, with out-of-state students paying around $11,812. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Texas State Technical College generally make around $43,742. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 34 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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