[Architectural Technology/Technician](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/architectural-sciences-and-technology/architectural-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 79 schools to find the best return on investment for architectural technology/technician students.
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Finding the Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician School for You
The architectural technology/technician program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Cerritos College earned the #1 spot for value among architectural technology/technician schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
St Petersburg College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $24,385. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $48,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $20,250. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in architectural technology/technician will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Pasadena City College landed the #6 spot for architectural technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #8 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $11,533. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
Orange Coast College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #10 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $15,221. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $34,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,221 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cosumnes River College came in at #11 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bakersfield College placed #12 among the best values for architectural technology/technician. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College landed the #13 spot for architectural technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Diablo Valley College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College earned the #15 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $10,855. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #16 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $10,332. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca placed #17 among the best values for architectural technology/technician. Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public school located in the city of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $1,191, compared with $10,935 for out-of-state students. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $19,800 in student loans. Median earnings reach $41,540 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
Edison State College earned the #19 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earned the #20 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,050. Students borrow a median of $9,915 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $43,244. Set against $9,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.
East Los Angeles College earned the #21 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $8,180. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University came in at #22 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $19,176. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas State Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,212 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $36,265. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt.
Western Kentucky University landed the #24 spot for architectural technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $26,823. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $46,919 early in their careers. Set against $26,823 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Students borrow a median of $11,780 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in architectural technology/technician:
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Architectural Technology/Technician Related Rankings by Major
Architectural Technology/Technician is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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).
[Architectural Technology/Technician](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/architectural-sciences-and-technology/architectural-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
