[architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/architecture/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 128 schools to find the best return on investment for architecture students.
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Finding the Best Value architecture School for You
Where you study architecture affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value architecture 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 architecture Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among architecture schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,843 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,102. That is a strong return on a $19,843 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architecture, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $15,598. Architecture graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Princeton University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Architecture graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Architecture graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #4 place for architecture. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the architecture program here. Architecture graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rice University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #6 spot for architecture value this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. That is a strong return on a $10,058 median debt.
Utah Valley University came in at #7 for value in architecture this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Architecture graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #8 position for value in architecture this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Architecture graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Architecture graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $57,514 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #9 for value in architecture this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the architecture program here. Architecture graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $49,537 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University earned the #10 position for value in architecture this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $48,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Architecture graduates carry a median of $20,423 in student loans. Architecture graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $55,967 early in their careers. Set against $20,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #12 position for value in architecture this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Architecture graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $37,389. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #13 spot for architecture value this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Arizona State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,067 to complete the architecture program here. Architecture graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $37,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras came in at #15 for value in architecture this year. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,673 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #16 position for value in architecture this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $23,840 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,143. Set against $23,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #17 for value in architecture this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Architecture graduates carry a median of $28,192 in student loans. Early-career architecture graduates make about $48,863. That is a strong return on a $28,192 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #18 position for value in architecture this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Architecture graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $44,766. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #19 for value in architecture 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $50,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #20 for value in architecture this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Architecture graduates carry a median of $23,846 in student loans. Architecture graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $50,602 early in their careers. Set against $23,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #21 position for value in architecture this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $38,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Houston came in at #22 for value in architecture this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $49,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #24 among the best values for architecture. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $22,654. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $55,866. That is a strong return on a $22,654 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Architecture graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Architecture graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,558 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value architecture Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for architecture this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 128 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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).
[architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/architecture/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
