2026 Best Value Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University tops our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $65,091. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

2

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural & building sciences/technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $59,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

3

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

Students looking for strong value in architectural & building sciences/technology will find it at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #3. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $23,312. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

4

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

Students looking for strong value in architectural & building sciences/technology will find it at University Of Houston, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

5

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural & building sciences/technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $21,632. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $56,850. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

6

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $47,255. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

7

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $56,272. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

8

Blinn College
Brenham, TX

Blinn College came in at #8 for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $16,465. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.

9

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #9 among the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $22,500. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $36,097 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

11

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #11 spot for architectural & building sciences/technology value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.