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2026 Best Value architecture Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architecture, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value architecture Schools
North Dakota State University Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Architecture graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $55,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architecture, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $22,284. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Drury University one of the best values for architecture. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,745 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $31,000. Early-career architecture graduates make about $54,723. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in architecture will find it at Washington University In St Louis, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in architecture will find it at Benedictine College, which ranked #5. Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Atchison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,350. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $46,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow architecture Schools by State
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 · 8 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.
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