2026 Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Our analysis ranked City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College the best value for a degree in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $11,533. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $33,960. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Valley Community College earned it the #2 place for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $9,602. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton 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 suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $12,994. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Macomb Community College earned it the #5 place for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $8,296 in student loans. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $44,701. That is a strong return on a $8,296 median debt.
College Of Dupage came in at #6 for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College landed the #7 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College came in at #8 for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County came in at #9 for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $12,151 in student loans. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $41,467. Set against $12,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College placed #11 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College came in at #12 for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $7,875. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College placed #13 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $46,460. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University earned the #14 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,506 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Set against $14,506 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
[Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/architectural-drafting-and-architectural-cad-cadd/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
