2026 Best Value Environmental Design & Architecture Schools in the Southeast Region

[Environmental Design & Architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/environmental-design/environmental-design-and-architecture/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value environmental design & architecture schools.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2026 Best Value Environmental Design & Architecture Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the environmental design & architecture degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Environmental Design & Architecture Schools
For return on investment in environmental design & architecture, no school beat Florida Atlantic University this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for environmental design & architecture graduates is $16,250. Environmental Design & Architecture graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Memphis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in environmental design & architecture, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Environmental Design & Architecture graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental design & architecture degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the best values for environmental design & architecture. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Environmental Design & Architecture graduates carry a median of $25,759 in student loans. Environmental Design & Architecture graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. Set against $25,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #4 makes Auburn University one of the best values for environmental design & architecture. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Typical student debt for environmental design & architecture graduates is $25,375. Environmental Design & Architecture graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $44,929 early in their careers. Set against $25,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.