2026 Best Value General Architecture Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among general architecture schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,843 to complete the general architecture program here. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,102. That is a strong return on a $19,843 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. General Architecture graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

3

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

4

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

Students looking for strong value in general architecture will find it at El Paso Community College, which ranked #4. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the general architecture program here. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Rice University
Houston, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rice University earned it the #5 place for general architecture. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. General Architecture graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

6

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University came in at #6 for value in general architecture this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

7

The University Of Texas At Brownsville
Brownsville, TX

The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #7 for value in general architecture this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete the general architecture program here. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Set against $10,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #8 among the best values for general architecture. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $57,514. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

9

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in general architecture this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $49,537. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

10

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $20,423 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $55,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

11

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University came in at #11 for value in general architecture this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

12

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #12 for value in general architecture this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $13,250. General Architecture graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $37,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

13

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #13 position for value in general architecture this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general architecture program here. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $50,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

14

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $21,067 in student loans. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $37,918. Set against $21,067 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

15

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $23,840 to complete the general architecture program here. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,143. That is a strong return on a $23,840 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

16

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #16 position for value in general architecture this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,673 to complete the general architecture program here. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #17 for value in general 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, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general architecture program here. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $50,917. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

18

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $28,192. General Architecture graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $48,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

19

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #19 spot for general architecture value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $18,750. General Architecture graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $38,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

20

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #20 spot for general architecture value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $23,000. General Architecture graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $44,766 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

21

Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University placed #21 among the best values for general architecture. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Students borrow a median of $23,846 to complete the general architecture program here. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $50,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.

22

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #22 spot for general architecture value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the general architecture program here. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $49,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

23

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park placed #23 among the best values for general architecture. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $22,654 to complete the general architecture program here. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $55,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

24

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. General Architecture graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #25 position for value in general architecture this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $27,000. General Architecture graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,558 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.