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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology Schools in California

5 Colleges in the United States
$28,559 Avg Student Debt
$74,757 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology Badge [Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/architectural-sciences-and-technology/architectural-and-building-sciences-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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for architectural & building sciences/technology students.

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2026 Best Value Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology Schools in California

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the architectural & building sciences/technology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology Schools

1

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among architectural & building sciences/technology schools in California. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $60,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

2

University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural & building sciences/technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $63,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned it the #3 place for architectural & building sciences/technology. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $58,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.

4

California Baptist University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,228. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $51,999. Set against $28,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern California earned it the #5 place for architectural & building sciences/technology. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $30,625 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $51,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Woodbury University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools. Woodbury University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Burbank. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,056. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $39,750 in student loans. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $40,484. Set against $39,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

7

Southern California Institute Of Architecture came in at #7 for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Southern California Institute Of Architecture is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,162 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,909 ten years after entry. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

8

California College Of The Arts earned the #8 position for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $60,226 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,594 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of California College Of The Arts earn a median of $76,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,594 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

9

Newschool Of Architecture And Design placed #9 among the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. Newschool Of Architecture And Design is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $30,291 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $39,251 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $56,119. That is a strong return on a $39,251 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

10

Art Center College Of Design landed the #10 spot for architectural & building sciences/technology value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,170. Students borrow a median of $37,803 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of Art Center College Of Design earn a median of $52,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,803 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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