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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Architecture & Related Services Schools in Illinois

4 Colleges in the United States
$23,715 Avg Student Debt
$59,824 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Architecture & Related Services Badge [Architecture & Related Services](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value architecture & related services schools.

What’s on this page:

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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the architecture & related services degrees they offer, see the list below.

1

Our analysis ranked City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College the best value for a degree in architecture & related services in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $11,533 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.

2

Students looking for strong value in architecture & related services will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $23,840 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,143. That is a strong return on a $23,840 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,291 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $49,869. That is a strong return on a $21,291 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

4

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architecture & related services, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $51,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

5

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $31,123. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $37,948. Set against $31,123 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

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6

Judson University earned the #6 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Judson University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,297 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,221 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $48,301. Set against $26,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

7

School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago earned the #7 position for value in architecture & related services this year. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,623. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago generally make around $38,205. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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