2026 Best Drafting Design Engineering Technology Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Drafting Design Engineering Technology associate’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 605 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Drafting Design Engineering Technology Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Ridgewater College this year in the United States. Located in Willmar, MN, Ridgewater College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $15,556. More on Ridgewater College
You'll be in good company at Dunwoody College Of Technology, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $27,477 in tuition and fees. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $20,625. Read the full report on Dunwoody College Of Technology
The strong Drafting Design Engineering Technology programs at Waukesha County Technical College earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Pewaukee, WI, Waukesha County Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. See the full Waukesha County Technical College profile
A rank of #4 makes Alpena Community College one of the top choices in the United States. This public school is set in Alpena, MI. Roughly 100% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. See the full Alpena Community College profile
A rank of #5 makes Madison Area Technical College one of the top choices in the United States. Madison Area Technical College is a public school based in Madison, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. Get the full Madison Area Technical College report
Utah Valley University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Utah Valley University is a public school based in Orem, UT. Utah Valley University graduates 40% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. Read the full report on Utah Valley University
Lamar Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Beaumont, TX, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,844, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $14,278. Read the full report on Lamar Institute Of Technology
Chippewa Valley Technical College did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Chippewa Valley Technical College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $14,234 in debt. More on Chippewa Valley Technical College
Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #9 among Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Located in Rochester, NY, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Rochester Institute Of Technology graduates 72% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,210. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $27,491. Read the full report on Rochester Institute Of Technology
Portland Community College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Portland, OR, Portland Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,648 in student loans. Read the full report on Portland Community College
Lee College placed #11 among Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Based in Baytown, TX, Lee College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. See the full Lee College profile
Ferris State University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Ferris State University is a public school based in Big Rapids, MI. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,778. Ferris State University Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $23,562 in debt. Read the full report on Ferris State University
Northeast Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Located in Norfolk, NE, Northeast Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Northeast Community College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $11,937 in debt. Read the full report on Northeast Community College
Valencia College placed #14 among Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Based in Orlando, FL, Valencia College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Valencia College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $14,413 in debt. Read the full report on Valencia College
Fox Valley Technical College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Fox Valley Technical College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $13,319 in debt. Get the full Fox Valley Technical College report
Southeast Technical Institute placed #16 among Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Sioux Falls, SD. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,650. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $18,442. Read more about Southeast Technical Institute
Owens Community College landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Set in Perrysburg, OH, Owens Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Owens Community College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $19,383 in debt. Get the full Owens Community College report
Alexandria Technical And Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a public school based in Alexandria, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $6,236. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $14,054. See the full Alexandria Technical And Community College profile
St Cloud Technical And Community College landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Based in Saint Cloud, MN, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124. St Cloud Technical And Community College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $11,500 in debt. More on St Cloud Technical And Community College
Hennepin Technical College landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Hennepin Technical College is a public school based in Brooklyn Park, MN. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Hennepin Technical College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $20,250 in debt. More on Hennepin Technical College
Eastern Florida State College landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Located in Melbourne, FL, Eastern Florida State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $18,123. Get the full Eastern Florida State College report
Tyler Junior College landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Based in Tyler, TX, Tyler Junior College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Read more about Tyler Junior College
Western Iowa Tech Community College did well this year, earning the #24 position. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public school based in Sioux City, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $11,886. Get the full Western Iowa Tech Community College report
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Located in Green Bay, WI, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. Read more about Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College did well this year, earning the #26 position. This public school is set in Perkinston, MS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $10,625. Read the full report on Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Drafting Design Engineering Technology Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Greenville Technical College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Based in Greenville, SC, Greenville Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,495, with out-of-state students paying around $10,775. Greenville Technical College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $16,411 in debt. Get the full Greenville Technical College report
Idaho State University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Idaho State University is a public school based in Pocatello, ID. Idaho State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 35%. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Read more about Idaho State University
Western Technical College La Cross came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Located in La Crosse, WI, Western Technical College La Cross is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Western Technical College La Cross Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $13,669 in debt. More on Western Technical College La Cross
Iti Technical College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Based in Baton Rouge, LA, Iti Technical College is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,711. Graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Read more about Iti Technical College
Ivy Tech Community College placed #31 among Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,151 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. More on Ivy Tech Community College
Pierpont Community And Technical College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Pierpont Community And Technical College is a public school based in Fairmont, WV. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,762, while out-of-state students pay about $13,660. Pierpont Community And Technical College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $16,268 in debt. Get the full Pierpont Community And Technical College report
Vincennes University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Located in Vincennes, IN, Vincennes University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 3%. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $14,506. Read more about Vincennes University
Macomb Community College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Set in Warren, MI, Macomb Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $8,296. Read more about Macomb Community College
Dakota County Technical College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Located in Rosemount, MN, Dakota County Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,679. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $13,474. Get the full Dakota County Technical College report
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Located in Godfrey, IL, Lewis And Clark Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $9,602. See the full Lewis And Clark Community College profile
Academy Of Art University did well this year, earning the #37 position. Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit school based in San Francisco, CA. Academy Of Art University graduates 34% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $30,736 in tuition and fees. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $45,000. Read the full report on Academy Of Art University
Yti Career Institute York did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in York, PA, Yti Career Institute York is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $14,865 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. Read more about Yti Career Institute York
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. This public school is set in Lancaster, PA. Students from in state pay about $9,050 in tuition and fees. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $12,000. Get the full Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology report
Anoka Technical College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Based in Anoka, MN, Anoka Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,267. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $14,697. More on Anoka Technical College
Montana State University placed #41 among Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Based in Bozeman, MT, Montana State University is a public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $23,635. Read the full report on Montana State University
Olympic College did well this year, earning the #42 position. This public school is set in Bremerton, WA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,472, with out-of-state students paying around $9,740. Graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Read more about Olympic College
Front Range Community College landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Set in Westminster, CO, Front Range Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $10,750. Read more about Front Range Community College
Pennsylvania College Of Technology landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Located in Williamsport, PA, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Graduates carry a median of $21,744 in student loans. See the full Pennsylvania College Of Technology profile
San Jacinto Community College did well this year, earning the #45 position. San Jacinto Community College is a public school based in Pasadena, TX. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. San Jacinto Community College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $11,376 in debt. See the full San Jacinto Community College profile
Texas State Technical College came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Set in Waco, TX, Texas State Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,212 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Texas State Technical College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $13,500 in debt. Read more about Texas State Technical College
Spokane Community College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Spokane Community College is a public school based in Spokane, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $16,486 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. Read the full report on Spokane Community College
Georgia Northwestern Technical College did well this year, earning the #48 position. This public school is set in Rome, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $8,492. See the full Georgia Northwestern Technical College profile
Sowela Technical Community College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Sowela Technical Community College is a public school based in Lake Charles, LA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,305. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $7,391. See the full Sowela Technical Community College profile
Amarillo College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Based in Amarillo, TX, Amarillo College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $15,720. See the full Amarillo College profile
Austin Community College District did well this year, earning the #51 position. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Austin Community College District Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $12,250 in debt. Read more about Austin Community College District
Related Drafting Design Engineering Technology Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Drafting Design Engineering Technology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Drafting Design Engineering Technology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Drafting Design Engineering Technology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Drafting Design Engineering Technology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Drafting Design Engineering Technology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Drafting Design Engineering Technology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Drafting Design Engineering Technology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 605 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).