2027 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools in the Southwest 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 29 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 Southwest 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
El Centro College tops our 2027 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. In-state tuition and fees average $1,770, while out-of-state students pay about $8,070. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $33,385. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $78,580. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #3 place for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $6,868. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general drafting & design technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #5 place for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $10,655. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College landed the #6 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Amarillo College earned the #7 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brazosport College earned the #8 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #9 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $10,916. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $40,554 early in their careers. Set against $10,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #10 for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,598 in student loans. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $40,499. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College earned the #12 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $12,040 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $45,548. That is a strong return on a $12,040 median debt.
Grayson College landed the #13 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
Tulsa Technology Center landed the #14 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Tulsa Technology Center earn a median of $32,406 early in their careers. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana landed the #15 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $10,284. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $39,399. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College placed #16 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $15,789. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Lee College landed the #17 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Laredo Community College placed #18 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
North Central Texas College landed the #19 spot for general drafting & design technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,965 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $43,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College placed #20 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College placed #21 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, general drafting & design technology/technician degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.
Paris Junior College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general drafting & design technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,700, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $8,846. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
Collin County Community College District placed #23 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $9,716. Early-career general drafting & design technology/technician graduates make about $42,177. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College placed #24 among the best values for general drafting & design technology/technician. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Typical student debt for general drafting & design technology/technician graduates is $14,869. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Arizona College earned the #25 position for value in general drafting & design technology/technician this year. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $9,552. Students borrow a median of $6,781 to complete the general drafting & design technology/technician program here. General Drafting & Design Technology/technician graduates of Eastern Arizona College earn a median of $40,304 early in their careers. Set against $6,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value General Drafting & Design Technology/Technician Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general drafting & design technology/technician value ranking:
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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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
