2026 Best Value architecture Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/architecture/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value architecture schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value architecture Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architecture, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value architecture Schools
Princeton University tops our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $10,888. Architecture graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kean University earned it the #2 place for architecture. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Architecture graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career architecture graduates make about $48,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for architecture. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $22,654 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $55,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Suny College Of Technology At Alfred one of the best values for architecture. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,892, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $31,000. Early-career architecture graduates make about $49,192. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Located in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,820. Students borrow a median of $16,805 to complete the architecture program here. Architecture graduates of Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earn a median of $16,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,805 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
University Of The District Of Columbia landed the #6 spot for architecture value this year. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,662 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,514. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $32,304. Architecture graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $57,060 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,304 median debt.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #7 position for value in architecture this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $23,258. Early-career architecture graduates make about $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Morgan State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,124. Architecture graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Architecture graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $26,282 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo earned the #9 position for value in architecture this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $22,854. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $37,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Marywood University landed the #10 spot for architecture value this year. Located in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Marywood University generally make around $48,650. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marywood University admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $24,958. Architecture graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in architecture this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Catholic University Of America earned the #14 position for value in architecture this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $55,113. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,078. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute generally make around $54,334. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admits about 64% of applicants.
Lehigh University placed #16 among the best values for architecture. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete the architecture program here. Architecture graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University came in at #17 for value in architecture this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $57,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Howard University earned the #18 position for value in architecture this year. Howard University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,810. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $25,498. Architecture graduates of Howard University earn a median of $58,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow architecture Schools by State
More architecture Rankings
View All architecture Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
