2026 Best Value architecture Schools in the Southeast Region
[architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/architecture/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong architecture education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for architecture students.
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2026 Best Value architecture Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the architecture degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value architecture Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in architecture in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,843 to complete the architecture program here. Architecture graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,843 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in architecture will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #2. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $21,829. Early-career architecture graduates make about $49,537. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #3 place for architecture. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $37,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for architecture. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $28,192. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $48,863. That is a strong return on a $28,192 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Architecture graduates carry a median of $23,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $50,602. That is a strong return on a $23,846 median debt. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #6 among the best values for architecture. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Architecture graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career architecture graduates make about $51,558. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette earned the #7 position for value in architecture this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Architecture graduates carry a median of $24,373 in student loans. Early-career architecture graduates make about $46,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
Mississippi State University earned the #8 position for value in architecture this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $53,679. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #9 position for value in architecture this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $25,886. Architecture graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $58,889 early in their careers. Set against $25,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Arkansas landed the #10 spot for architecture value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Architecture graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Architecture graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $51,080 early in their careers. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Architecture graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $49,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #12 among the best values for architecture. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $50,365. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in architecture this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $23,965 to complete the architecture program here. Architecture graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $51,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Auburn University earned the #14 position for value in architecture this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Architecture graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career architecture graduates make about $53,146. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
Hampton University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,592. Architecture graduates carry a median of $26,169 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Hampton University generally make around $49,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hampton University admits about 62% of applicants.
Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #16 for value in architecture this year. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,678. Architecture graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $54,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
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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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
