2026 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the drafting & design engineering technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools
Leading the list is Cerritos College, our #1 best value for drafting & design engineering technology in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drafting & design engineering technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Ana College earned it the #4 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology 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 drafting & design engineering technology will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Norco College placed #6 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $21,500. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College placed #8 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Butte College came in at #9 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $13,302. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College came in at #10 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $37,755. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology landed the #11 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College landed the #13 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Palomar College earned the #14 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Spokane Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,486 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $39,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,486 median debt.
Miracosta College landed the #16 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,158, while out-of-state students pay about $9,750. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
Truckee Meadows Community College placed #17 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $3,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $12,290. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $52,785. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.
Olympic College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,472, while out-of-state students pay about $9,740. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $57,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lane Community College landed the #19 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Lane Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Eugene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,202, while out-of-state students pay about $13,078. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $18,373. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Lane Community College earn a median of $60,759 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,373 median debt.
Fullerton College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Chemeketa Community College came in at #21 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Chemeketa Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $14,040. Students borrow a median of $15,755 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Chemeketa Community College earn a median of $45,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #22 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
South Puget Sound Community College came in at #23 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Students borrow a median of $14,245 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $39,430. Set against $14,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Los Angeles College placed #24 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Portland Community College placed #25 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $20,648 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $54,198. Set against $20,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s drafting & design engineering technology value ranking:
Narrow Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
[Drafting & Design Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
