2027 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/drafting-and-design-technology-technician-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 49 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 Southeast Region
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
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan tops our 2027 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,980 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $34,762. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $44,007 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Chattahoochee Technical College one of the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Students looking for strong value in general drafting & design technology/technician will find it at Northwest Shoals Community College, which ranked #4. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,131, with out-of-state students paying around $9,001. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,312 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of $33,842 early in their careers. Set against $13,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Technical College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Students borrow a median of $17,655 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $35,441. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.
Hinds Community College came in at #6 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $34,003. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hazard Community And Technical College placed #7 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $12,212. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Hazard Community And Technical College generally make around $32,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. 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, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,245 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $45,486. That is a strong return on a $12,245 median debt.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $8,492. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holmes Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Manatee Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Bradenton, Manatee Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $9,726. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $38,735. That is a strong return on a $9,726 median debt.
Central Carolina Technical College landed the #12 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. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $15,750. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $40,598. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College came in at #13 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,366 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $44,431. Set against $13,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bevill State Community College came in at #14 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. Students from in state pay about $4,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $11,040. 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.
Ashland Community And Technical College placed #15 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Ashland. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $13,485 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Ashland Community And Technical College earn a median of $37,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,485 median debt.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College placed #16 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $31,903. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jones County Junior College earned the #17 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Ellisville, Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Students borrow a median of $9,559 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Jones County Junior College generally make around $33,655. Set against $9,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Florida State College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $18,123 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $44,690. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College landed the #19 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,354 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $18,583. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earn a median of $61,814 early in their careers. Set against $18,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Union State Community College came in at #20 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $8,874. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $11,555. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Southern Union State Community College generally make around $44,385. Set against $11,555 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gwinnett Technical College landed the #21 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Gwinnett Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Students from in state pay about $3,524 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,092. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $18,048 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Gwinnett Technical College earn a median of $39,288 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,048 median debt.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #22 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $35,706 early in their careers. Set against $10,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Athens Technical College earned the #23 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Athens Technical College generally make around $41,631. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sowela Technical Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,305. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,391 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Sowela Technical Community College generally make around $45,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Arkansas Community College landed the #25 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bentonville. Students from in state pay about $3,342 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,238. Students borrow a median of $12,479 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $40,671. That is a strong return on a $12,479 median debt.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general drafting & design technology/technician this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
