2027 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Drafting & Design Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for drafting & design engineering technology students.
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2027 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in drafting & design engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools
Macomb Community College earned the #1 spot for value among drafting & design engineering technology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $8,296. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $44,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Joliet Junior College one of the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drafting & design engineering technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in drafting & design engineering technology will find it at Lewis And Clark Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #5 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $12,994. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College placed #7 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $13,750. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $45,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College came in at #9 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College earned the #10 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #11 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $12,151 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology 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.
Kaskaskia College earned the #12 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage placed #14 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
College Of Lake County landed the #15 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,533 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College placed #17 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $11,748. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $49,865. That is a strong return on a $11,748 median debt.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earned the #18 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $11,384. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $35,981 early in their careers. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #19 spot for drafting & design engineering technology 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. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $14,997. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,016. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #20 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #21 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $53,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #22 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $46,460. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $44,782. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $14,506. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $45,976. That is a strong return on a $14,506 median debt.
Harper College landed the #25 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for drafting & design engineering technology this year:
Narrow Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools by State
More Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
