2026 Best Value CAD/CADD Drafting &/or Design Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools
[CAD/CADD Drafting &/or Design Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/cad-cadd-drafting-and-or-design-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 240 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value CAD/CADD Drafting &/or Design Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value CAD/CADD Drafting &/or Design Technology/Technician Schools
For return on investment in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician, no school beat Georgia Northwestern Technical College this year. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician program here. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates is $12,799. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $45,583. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Typical student debt for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates is $9,616. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician will find it at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology, which ranked #5. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates is $19,695. Soon after graduation, cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage placed #6 among the best values for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates is $12,492. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Community College came in at #7 for value in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician this year. Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $16,486 to complete the cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician program here. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $39,679 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District placed #8 among the best values for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #9 spot for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician value this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $12,151 to complete the cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $41,467. Set against $12,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician program here. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $53,448. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Western Idaho placed #11 among the best values for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Students borrow a median of $14,770 to complete the cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician program here. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $49,508 early in their careers.
Tidewater Community College came in at #12 for value in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $41,114. Set against $14,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earned the #13 position for value in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician this year. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Lancaster. In-state tuition and fees average $9,050. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates of Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earn a median of $36,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician schools. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College landed the #15 spot for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician value this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Typical student debt for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates is $21,332. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $47,502. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valencia College earned the #16 position for value in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $9,576. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $45,701. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
Texas State Technical College earned the #17 position for value in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician this year. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician degree recipients from Texas State Technical College generally make around $40,747. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt.
Front Range Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician schools. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates is $10,750. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hennepin Technical College landed the #19 spot for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $49,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #20 spot for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician program here. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $53,105. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College earned the #21 position for value in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Typical student debt for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates is $15,556. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $42,178. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #22 position for value in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gwinnett Technical College came in at #23 for value in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,524, with out-of-state students paying around $6,092. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $18,048 in student loans. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates of Gwinnett Technical College earn a median of $39,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College came in at #24 for value in cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates is $13,750. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnson County Community College landed the #25 spot for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Cad/cadd Drafting &/or Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,532 in student loans. Early-career cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician graduates make about $46,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value CAD/CADD Drafting &/or Design Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician this year:
Other CAD/CADD Drafting &/or Design Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Explore the best-value cad/cadd drafting &/or design technology/technician schools at other degree levels:
View All CAD/CADD Drafting &/or Design Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 240 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
