2026 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 77 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools.
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2026 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
For return on investment in drafting & design engineering technology, no school beat Brazosport College this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drafting & design engineering technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. 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 Pima Community College, which ranked #3. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $10,655. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #4 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alvin Community College earned it the #5 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College landed the #6 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $7,476. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #7 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Students borrow a median of $12,323 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $32,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College landed the #9 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $8,542. 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.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned the #10 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern New Mexico College earned the #11 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,064, compared with $14,328 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,112.
Grayson College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College came in at #13 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $9,000. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $43,454. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #14 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $10,058. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,058 median debt.
Austin Community College District came in at #15 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $47,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laredo Community College earned the #16 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. 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.
Meridian Technology Center landed the #17 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Meridian Technology Center is a small public institution. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Meridian Technology Center earn a median of $61,765 early in their careers.
Southern Oklahoma Technology Center ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Southern Oklahoma Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Ardmore. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,012 ten years after entry.
Francis Tuttle Technology Center came in at #19 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $14,859. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Francis Tuttle Technology Center earn a median of $26,570 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Texas College earned the #20 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,965 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $43,536. Set against $15,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College landed the #21 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $12,040 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $45,548. Set against $12,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Temple College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $11,376. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Lamar Institute Of Technology came in at #25 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $14,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $50,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 34 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), 2026 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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
