2027 Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools.
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2027 Best Value Architectural Drafting & Architectural CAD/CADD Schools in the The Plains States 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
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools in the The Plains States Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. 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.
Northeast Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $40,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $16,437 in student loans. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $41,599 early in their careers. Set against $16,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes St Cloud Technical And Community College one of the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd program here. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt.
Hennepin Technical College placed #6 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $49,539. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $12,984. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $44,886. Set against $12,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College earned the #8 position for value in architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $12,513. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $44,988. Set against $12,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $24,036. Soon after graduation, architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $43,164. That is a strong return on a $24,036 median debt.
Northland Community And Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd schools. Set in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,289. Architectural Drafting & Architectural Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $18,550 in student loans. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $46,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Anoka Technical College placed #11 among the best values for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd. Set in the suburb of Anoka, Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,267 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates is $14,697. Early-career architectural drafting & architectural cad/cadd graduates make about $44,529. That is a strong return on a $14,697 median debt.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
