2026 Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools in California
[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 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools.
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2026 Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools
For return on investment in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd, no school beat College Of The Canyons this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $9,776. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #2 place for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Norco College earned it the #3 place for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $11,196. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Victor Valley College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $7,995. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College landed the #7 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
Allan Hancock College landed the #8 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Palomar College landed the #9 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Fullerton College landed the #10 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Rio Hondo College placed #11 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Rio Hondo College is a very large public school located in the rural area of Whittier. Students from in state pay about $1,388 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,884 for out-of-state students. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $15,510 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Rio Hondo College generally make around $95,666. Set against $15,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cabrillo College placed #12 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Located in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,270, while out-of-state students pay about $9,862. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Academy Of Art University landed the #13 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,736 in tuition and fees. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $45,000 in student loans. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Academy Of Art University earn a median of $46,811 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
