2027 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools in Illinois
[Drafting & Design Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools.
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2027 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools in Illinois
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
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among drafting & design engineering technology schools in Illinois. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Valley Community College earned it the #2 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark 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 suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Triton College one of the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakton Community College earned it the #5 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College came in at #6 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College earned the #7 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College landed the #8 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $7,440. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage earned the #9 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
College Of Lake County came in at #11 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waubonsee Community College earned the #12 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $39,659. That is a strong return on a $9,939 median debt.
Harper College came in at #13 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
