2027 Best Value Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD Associate’s Degree Schools
[Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/mechanical-drafting-and-mechanical-drafting-cad-cadd/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd students.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD Schools
For return on investment in mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $8,296 to complete the mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd program here. Early-career mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates make about $44,701. Set against $8,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd program here. Early-career mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny New York City College Of Technology one of the best values for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $11,492 to complete the mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd program here. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $44,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates is $9,776. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Pima Community College one of the best values for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd schools. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd schools. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates is $9,616. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Utah Valley University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Palomar College earned the #9 position for value in mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Oakland Community College placed #10 among the best values for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates make about $45,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chaffey College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd schools. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd program here. Early-career mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates make about $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
Austin Community College District placed #12 among the best values for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd program here. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $50,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned the #13 position for value in mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned the #14 position for value in mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd this year. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Typical student debt for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates is $10,284. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.
Niagara County Community College landed the #15 spot for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd value this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $13,970 in student loans. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. Set against $13,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $12,151 to complete the mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd program here. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $41,467 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $11,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $49,865. That is a strong return on a $11,748 median debt.
Wichita Area Technical College earned the #18 position for value in mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd this year. Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $7,237 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates is $15,252. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $46,949 early in their careers. Set against $15,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates is $18,296. Early-career mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates make about $38,325. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #20 spot for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd value this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,960 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Red Rocks Community College earned the #21 position for value in mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #22 spot for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd value this year. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Typical student debt for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates is $8,000. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $53,105 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Cloud Technical And Community College earned the #23 position for value in mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $45,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hennepin Technical College earned the #24 position for value in mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $52,059. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College landed the #25 spot for mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting Cad/cadd graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Early-career mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd graduates make about $41,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd value ranking:
Other Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD Degree Levels
Explore the best-value mechanical drafting & mechanical drafting cad/cadd schools at other degree levels:
View All Mechanical Drafting & Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD Rankings >
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
