2026 Best Value Drafting Design Engineering Technology Schools
Looking for the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 605 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Drafting Design Engineering Technology Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is Lee College, our #1 best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology school in the United States. Set in Baytown, TX, Lee College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $10,941. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,178. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Lee College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Baton Rouge Community College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in Baton Rouge, LA, Baton Rouge Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,321. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $17,624. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,581. Set against $17,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Baton Rouge Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ridgewater College earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Willmar, MN, Ridgewater College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $15,556. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,827 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,556 median debt. Get the full Ridgewater College report
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology ranking in the United States. Located in Sioux City, IA, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. Western Iowa Tech Community College alumni report median earnings of $40,473 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt. Get the full Western Iowa Tech Community College report
Northeast Community College came in at #5 on this year's best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology ranking in the United States. Located in Norfolk, NE, Northeast Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $11,937. Northeast Community College alumni report median earnings of $42,634 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,937 median debt. More on Northeast Community College
Tyler Junior College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Tyler Junior College is a public school based in Tyler, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. Tyler Junior College alumni report median earnings of $38,140 a decade after entry. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Tyler Junior College
Southeast Community College Area ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Based in Lincoln, NE, Southeast Community College Area is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $16,437. Median earnings reach $43,405 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Southeast Community College Area profile
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Pewaukee, WI, Waukesha County Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Waukesha County Technical College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $14,500 in debt. Median earnings reach $46,894 ten years out. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Waukesha County Technical College report
L E Fletcher Technical Community College landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Schriever, LA, L E Fletcher Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,219. L E Fletcher Technical Community College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $5,396 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,189. That is a strong return on a $5,396 median debt. See the full L E Fletcher Technical Community College profile
Sowela Technical Community College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in Lake Charles, LA, Sowela Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,305. Students borrow a median of $7,391 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Sowela Technical Community College profile
Hennepin Technical College landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Hennepin Technical College is a public school based in Brooklyn Park, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,940. Graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,460. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Hennepin Technical College
Madison Area Technical College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Based in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Madison Area Technical College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $16,812 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,413 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Madison Area Technical College
Alexandria Technical And Community College placed #13 among the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Alexandria, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,236. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $14,054. Median earnings reach $49,393 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,054 median debt. More on Alexandria Technical And Community College
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public school based in Saint Cloud, MN. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. Median earnings reach $46,874 ten years out. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on St Cloud Technical And Community College
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $14,234. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Chippewa Valley Technical College report
San Jacinto Community College placed #16 among the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Pasadena, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. San Jacinto Community College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $11,376 in debt. Median earnings reach $43,062 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on San Jacinto Community College
Alpena Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Alpena, MI, Alpena Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,840, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $10,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,442 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Alpena Community College profile
Amarillo College offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Amarillo, TX, Amarillo College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $15,720. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,302 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Amarillo College
South Louisiana Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Lafayette, LA, South Louisiana Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,210. Students borrow a median of $12,435 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. South Louisiana Community College alumni report median earnings of $31,432 a decade after entry. Set against $12,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full South Louisiana Community College profile
Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Angola, IN, Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,176. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $27,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,165 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus admits about 40% of applicants. Read the full report on Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus
Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Set in Rome, GA, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,759. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Georgia Northwestern Technical College report
Spokane Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Spokane, WA, Spokane Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $16,486. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,984 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,486 median debt. Get the full Spokane Community College report
Fox Valley Technical College came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Appleton, WI. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, 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. Fox Valley Technical College alumni report median earnings of $45,684 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,319 median debt. Read the full report on Fox Valley Technical College
Anoka Technical College placed #24 among the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Located in Anoka, MN, Anoka Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,267 in tuition and fees. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $14,697. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,746. That is a strong return on a $14,697 median debt. Read more about Anoka Technical College
Western Technical College La Cross placed #25 among the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Located in La Crosse, WI, Western Technical College La Cross is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Students borrow a median of $13,669 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Western Technical College La Cross
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Drafting Design Engineering Technology Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Set in Green Bay, WI, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,960 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $14,997 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Dakota County Technical College came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Based in Rosemount, MN, Dakota County Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,679. Students borrow a median of $13,474 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Dakota County Technical College
Southeast Technical Institute placed #28 among the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Set in Sioux Falls, SD, Southeast Technical Institute is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,650. Students borrow a median of $18,442 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,709. Set against $18,442 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Southeast Technical Institute report
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Located in Perkinston, MS, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,017 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,625 median debt. More on Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Valencia College came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Valencia College is a public school based in Orlando, FL. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $14,413. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,594. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt. Read the full report on Valencia College
Portland Community College came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Portland, OR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $20,648. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Portland Community College
Olympic College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Olympic College is a public school based in Bremerton, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,472, compared with $9,740 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Median earnings reach $43,169 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Olympic College
Pearl River Community College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. This public school is set in Poplarville, MS. Students from in state pay about $3,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,100. Graduates carry a median of $13,482 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,019. That is a strong return on a $13,482 median debt. More on Pearl River Community College
Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Set in Bridgeport, CT, Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,856. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $13,910. Median earnings reach $41,588 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Porter And Chester Institute Of Stratford
Macomb Community College placed #35 among the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Located in Warren, MI, Macomb Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $8,296. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Macomb Community College
Central Community College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Located in Grand Island, NE, Central Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $10,277. Median earnings reach $39,429 ten years out. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Central Community College profile
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Orangeburg, SC. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,354. Graduates carry a median of $18,583 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,761. Set against $18,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Cincinnati, OH, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Graduates carry a median of $11,411 in student loans. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College alumni report median earnings of $40,137 a decade after entry. Set against $11,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Cincinnati State Technical And Community College profile
Central Michigan University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Based in Mount Pleasant, MI, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,874 ten years after entry. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants. Read the full report on Central Michigan University
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Indianapolis, IN. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $12,151 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. Ivy Tech Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,186 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,151 median debt. More on Ivy Tech Community College
Owens Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Owens Community College is a public school based in Perrysburg, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Owens Community College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $19,383 in debt. Median earnings reach $37,275 ten years out. Set against $19,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Owens Community College
Del Mar College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools. Based in Corpus Christi, TX, Del Mar College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,656. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt. See the full Del Mar College profile
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Located in Lancaster, PA, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,050. The median Drafting Design Engineering Technology program debt is $12,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,681 ten years after entry. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants. Read the full report on Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology
Kirkwood Community College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Set in Cedar Rapids, IA, Kirkwood Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Kirkwood Community College Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $15,779 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,016 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt. Read the full report on Kirkwood Community College
Greenville Technical College landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Greenville, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $5,495, with out-of-state students paying around $10,775. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $16,411. Median earnings reach $39,473 ten years out. Set against $16,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Greenville Technical College profile
Houston Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Located in Houston, TX, Houston Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical Drafting Design Engineering Technology student debt is $12,040. Median earnings reach $39,254 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Houston Community College profile
Florence Darlington Technical College landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Florence, SC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,748 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Florence Darlington Technical College report
Piedmont Technical College placed #48 among the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Greenwood, SC. Students from in state pay about $4,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Graduates carry a median of $17,652 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,768 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Piedmont Technical College
Laredo Community College placed #49 among the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Set in Laredo, TX, Laredo Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete their Drafting Design Engineering Technology program here. Median earnings reach $33,934 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Laredo Community College
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #50 among the best-value Drafting Design Engineering Technology schools in the United States. Based in Cleveland, OH, Cuyahoga Community College District is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Cuyahoga Community College District Drafting Design Engineering Technology students take on a median of $14,636 in debt. Median earnings reach $35,654 ten years out. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Cuyahoga Community College District
Best Value Drafting Design Engineering Technology Schools by Degree Level
See the best values at each degree level:
- Best Value Drafting Design Engineering Technology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Drafting Design Engineering Technology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Drafting Design Engineering Technology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Drafting Design Engineering Technology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Drafting Design Engineering Technology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Drafting Design Engineering Technology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Drafting Design Engineering Technology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · 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).
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