2027 Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools
[Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/architectural-drafting-and-architectural-cad-cadd/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 78 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools.
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Finding the Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD School for You
The architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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2027 Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools
Macomb Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools in the United States. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $8,296 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $44,701 early in their careers. Set against $8,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Santa Ana College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Illinois Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $24,385. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $48,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #6 for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Del Mar College earned the #8 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #9 for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $9,191. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College landed the #10 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $12,994. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #11 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $10,052. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology placed #12 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,492 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $44,323. Set against $11,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
College Of The Canyons ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College landed the #14 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $39,610. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Pima Community College landed the #15 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College came in at #16 for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Citrus College landed the #17 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Wharton County Junior College earned the #18 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,916 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $40,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #19 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College placed #20 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $48,838. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University placed #21 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
El Paso Community College earned the #22 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $8,542. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College placed #23 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College landed the #24 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Located in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Students borrow a median of $13,366 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $44,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $45,844. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd:
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Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 78 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
