2026 Best Value General Architecture Schools in the Southwest Region

1

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

Leading the list is El Paso Community College, our #1 best value for general architecture in the Southwest Region. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the general architecture program here. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The University Of Texas At Brownsville
Brownsville, TX

The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general architecture, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. General Architecture graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

4

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Students looking for strong value in general architecture will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #4. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,067 to complete the general architecture program here. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $37,918. That is a strong return on a $21,067 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

5

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned it the #5 place for general architecture. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. 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.

6

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. 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. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $49,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

7

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #7 among the best values for general architecture. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,535 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $51,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

8

Prairie View A And M University
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A And M University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $30,429 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $53,504. Set against $30,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $23,138. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,084. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the general architecture program here. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $49,983. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

11

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #11 position for value in general architecture this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $59,911. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

12

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University placed #12 among the best values for general architecture. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $21,699. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $49,682. That is a strong return on a $21,699 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

13

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #13 spot for general architecture value this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $18,465 to complete the general architecture program here. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $52,724. Set against $18,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.