2027 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools in the Southwest Region
[Drafting & Design Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/drafting-design-engineering-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 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 Southwest 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
Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for drafting & design engineering technology in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $11,000. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in drafting & design engineering technology will find it at Del Mar College, which ranked #2. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. Students from in state pay about $1,770 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $33,385. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. Set against $33,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #5 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
Midland College landed the #6 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $43,454. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College placed #7 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brazosport College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #9 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College landed the #10 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $10,916. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $40,554 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,916 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #11 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Mclennan Community College earned the #12 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $11,598. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College placed #13 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $12,040. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $45,548. Set against $12,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $47,964. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College earned the #15 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Grayson College earned the #16 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College landed the #17 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $15,789. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $41,718. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana placed #18 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $10,284. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laredo Community College landed the #19 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $6,000. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $41,354. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
North Central Texas College came in at #20 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Students borrow a median of $15,965 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $43,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Technology Center ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Tulsa. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $11,384. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $32,406. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
South Plains College came in at #22 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College earned the #23 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paris Junior College landed the #24 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $8,846. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $38,811. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Collin County Community College District ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
Rest of the Top 37 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
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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.
