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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools

2 Colleges in the United States
$13,342 Avg Student Debt
$45,551 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Associate's Degree Badge [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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 79 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for architectural technology/technician students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architectural technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools

1
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among architectural technology/technician schools in the United States. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA

A rank of #2 makes Ventura College one of the best values for architectural technology/technician. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. 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. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.

3

Mt San Antonio College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $9,384. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Students looking for strong value in architectural technology/technician will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #4. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College earned the #6 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

7
Cosumnes River College crest
Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA

Cosumnes River College earned the #7 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. 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.

8
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.

9
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College earned the #9 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.

10
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College placed #10 among the best values for architectural technology/technician. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $9,205. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $10,855. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

City College Of San Francisco came in at #12 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $10,332. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.

13

Northern Virginia Community College landed the #13 spot for architectural technology/technician value this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL

Edison State College came in at #14 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,401 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $13,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,050. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,915 in student loans. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earn a median of $43,244 early in their careers. Set against $9,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.

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16

Weber State University earned the #16 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $19,176. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Texas State Technical College came in at #17 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,212, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Grand Rapids Community College earned the #18 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,780 in student loans. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $41,689 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,780 median debt.

19
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College came in at #19 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,350, while out-of-state students pay about $11,010. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $64,492. That is a strong return on a $18,958 median debt.

20

Pennsylvania College Of Technology landed the #20 spot for architectural technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $41,418. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Other Architectural Technology/Technician Degree Levels

Explore the best-value architectural technology/technician schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Architectural Technology/Technician
Bachelor's Degrees in Architectural Technology/Technician
Master's Degrees in Architectural Technology/Technician
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View All Architectural Technology/Technician Rankings >

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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 · 79 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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