2027 Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools in the Southwest Region
[Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/architectural-drafting-and-architectural-cad-cadd/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd students.
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2027 Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools in the Southwest 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 El Centro College the best value for a degree in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. 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.
Del Mar College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes El Paso Community College one of the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima 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 city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $10,655. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $40,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $10,916 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $40,554. Set against $10,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #6 for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District placed #7 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $12,250. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $47,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.
Francis Tuttle Technology Center earned the #9 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $14,859. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Francis Tuttle Technology Center generally make around $26,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Oklahoma Technology Center earned the #10 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Southern Oklahoma Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Ardmore. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,012.
Scottsdale Community College earned the #11 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $48,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas State Technical College earned the #12 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $43,742 early in their careers. Set against $13,500 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), 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
