2026 Best Value General Architecture Schools in District of Columbia

[General Architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general architecture schools.
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2026 Best Value General Architecture Schools in District of Columbia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general architecture, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Architecture Schools
For return on investment in general architecture, no school beat University Of The District Of Columbia this year. University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,304 to complete the general architecture program here. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University Of The District Of Columbia generally make around $57,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Catholic University Of America is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general architecture, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $55,113. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Catholic University Of America admits about 83% of applicants.
Howard University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,810. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the general architecture program here. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $58,495. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
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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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.