2026 Best Value General Architecture Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University tops our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general architecture program here. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

2

Kean University
Union, NJ

A rank of #2 makes Kean University one of the best values for general architecture. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

A rank of #3 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for general architecture. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $22,654 in student loans. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $55,866. Set against $22,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

4

Suny College Of Technology At Alfred
Alfred, NY

Suny College Of Technology At Alfred came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,892, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. General Architecture graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $49,192 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.

5

Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in general architecture will find it at Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art, which ranked #5. Set in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,820. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $16,805 in student loans. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $16,678. That is a strong return on a $16,805 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.

6

University Of The District Of Columbia
Washington, DC

University Of The District Of Columbia came in at #6 for value in general architecture this year. Located in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,662, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $32,304. General 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.

7

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #7 spot for general architecture value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $23,258. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

8

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,854 to complete the general architecture program here. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $37,622. That is a strong return on a $22,854 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

9

Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $30,500. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $26,282. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

10

Marywood University
Scranton, PA

Marywood University placed #10 among the best values for general architecture. Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. In-state tuition and fees average $41,420. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $31,000. General Architecture graduates of Marywood University earn a median of $48,650 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Marywood University admits about 61% of applicants.

11

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #11 among the best values for general architecture. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $24,958. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

12

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #12 position for value in general architecture this year. 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. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $89,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.

13

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in general 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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.

14

Catholic University Of America
Washington, DC

Catholic University Of America placed #14 among the best values for general architecture. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $55,113 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

15

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earned the #15 position for value in general architecture this year. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,078. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $54,334. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

16

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University landed the #16 spot for general architecture value this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,980. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. Set against $23,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.

17

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $57,730 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

18

Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College landed the #18 spot for general architecture value this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete the general architecture program here. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $50,790. That is a strong return on a $17,609 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

19

Howard University
Washington, DC

Howard University earned the #19 position for value in general architecture this year. Located in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,810. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $25,498. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from Howard University generally make around $58,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Howard University admits about 41% of applicants.