2027 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools
[General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/drafting-and-design-technology-technician-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general drafting & design technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools to find the best return on investment for general drafting & design technology/technician students.
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2027 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general drafting & design technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools
For return on investment in general drafting & design technology/technician, no school beat El Centro College this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general drafting & design technology/technician will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Pima Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes San Joaquin Delta College one of the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $6,382. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #6 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $9,616. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College placed #7 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
Victor Valley College placed #8 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $7,995. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area placed #9 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University placed #10 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $55,893. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earned the #11 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,245 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earn a median of $45,486 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,245 median debt.
Palomar College landed the #12 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Holmes Community College earned the #13 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College came in at #14 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,040 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $45,548. Set against $12,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Technical College landed the #15 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,715, while out-of-state students pay about $9,016. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Central Carolina Technical College generally make around $40,598. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College came in at #16 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Chaffey College came in at #17 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Bevill State Community College came in at #18 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,734, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,040 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Bevill State Community College generally make around $38,514. That is a strong return on a $11,040 median debt.
St Charles Community College earned the #19 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fullerton College earned the #20 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #21 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College landed the #22 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $10,941. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Florida State College came in at #23 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,791 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $18,123. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $44,690 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.
Jones County Junior College placed #24 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the town of Ellisville, Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,559 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Jones County Junior College earn a median of $33,655 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College placed #25 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,366 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $44,431. Set against $13,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general drafting & design technology/technician this year:
Other General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general drafting & design technology/technician schools at other degree levels:
View All General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Rankings >
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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 60 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.
