2027 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools in Virginia
[Drafting & Design Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong drafting & design engineering technology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools in Virginia
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 John Tyler Community College, our #1 best value for drafting & design engineering technology in Virginia. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Germanna Community College earned it the #2 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $10,999. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Thomas Nelson Community College earned it the #3 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $36,758. That is a strong return on a $14,402 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drafting & design engineering technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $40,126. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Tidewater Community College one of the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $14,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $41,114. That is a strong return on a $14,001 median debt.
Marymount University earned the #6 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,120. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $26,880. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Marymount University earn a median of $58,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
More Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Rankings
View All Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
