2026 Best Value Drafting & Design Engineering Technology Schools in the The Plains States Region
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 Metropolitan Community College Area, our #1 best value for drafting & design engineering technology in the The Plains States Region. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earned it the #2 place for drafting & design engineering technology. Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Liberal. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $5,408. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,175 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central 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 city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Charles Community College earned it the #4 place for drafting & design engineering technology. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $47,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Students borrow a median of $11,937 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $40,568. That is a strong return on a $11,937 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #6 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $12,281. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $46,660. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #7 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $16,437 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $41,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #8 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $15,866. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
State Fair Community College earned the #9 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $15,328 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $39,168. Set against $15,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #10 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $21,332. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,332 median debt.
Hennepin Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $49,539 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita Area Technical College came in at #13 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,237. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $15,252. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $46,949. Set against $15,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ridgewater College placed #14 among the best values for drafting & design engineering technology. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $15,556. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $42,178. Set against $15,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #15 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $44,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $45,565. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anoka Technical College earned the #17 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Anoka, Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,267. Students borrow a median of $14,697 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $44,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College came in at #18 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Students borrow a median of $24,036 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $43,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,036 median debt.
Johnson County Community College came in at #19 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $13,532. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $46,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Linn State Technical College landed the #20 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,160, with out-of-state students paying around $14,610. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,350 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $49,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Dakota Technical Institute came in at #21 for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Rapid City, Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $15,620 to complete the drafting & design engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Western Dakota Technical Institute generally make around $37,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #22 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $21,861. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $60,774 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical earned the #23 position for value in drafting & design engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Winona, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,432. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $22,522 in student loans. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $50,290. That is a strong return on a $22,522 median debt.
Southeast Technical Institute landed the #24 spot for drafting & design engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,650. Typical student debt for drafting & design engineering technology graduates is $18,442. Early-career drafting & design engineering technology graduates make about $48,654. Set against $18,442 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dunwoody College Of Technology ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value drafting & design engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,477. Drafting & Design Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drafting & design engineering technology degree recipients from Dunwoody College Of Technology generally make around $55,512. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. Dunwoody College Of Technology admits about 99% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
[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.
