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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best architecture Schools in the The Plains States Region

3 Colleges in the United States
262 architecture Degrees Awarded
$55,079 Avg Early-Career Salary

architecture degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their architecture programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for architecture students pursuing a degree.

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Best Schools for architecture in the The Plains States Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the architecture degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in architecture

1

Washington University In St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in architecture. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 architecture degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree. See the full architecture program report for Washington University In St Louis

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best architecture schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 97 architecture students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates of the architecture program make about $50,332 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,284 to complete this degree. See the full architecture program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS

A rank of #3 makes Benedictine College one of the top schools for architecture. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Atchison. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Benedictine College awarded about 11 architecture degrees in the most recent data year. Architecture graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $46,255 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete this degree. See the full architecture program report for Benedictine College

4

A rank of #4 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the top schools for architecture. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. North Dakota State University Main Campus awarded about 107 architecture degrees in the most recent data year. Architecture graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $55,779 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the architecture program at North Dakota State University Main Campus

5
Drury University crest
Drury University
Springfield, MO

Students looking for a strong architecture program will find one at Drury University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 32 architecture degrees were awarded at Drury University in the most recent year. Students who receive their architecture degree from Drury University earn around $54,723 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Get the full architecture details for Drury University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 8 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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