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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Architecture & Related Services Schools in the The Plains States Region

6 Colleges in the United States
$24,560 Avg Student Debt
$60,798 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for architecture & related services students.

What’s on this page:

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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architecture & related services, balancing cost against outcomes.

1

For return on investment in architecture & related services, no school beat University Of Missouri Kansas City this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

2

North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $55,779. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for architecture & related services. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $22,271 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $51,681. That is a strong return on a $22,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

4
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

Students looking for strong value in architecture & related services will find it at University Of Kansas, which ranked #4. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $61,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the best values for architecture & related services. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $26,052 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $46,295 early in their careers. Set against $26,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Kansas State University placed #6 among the best values for architecture & related services. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

7

Iowa State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $30,806. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $57,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

8

South Dakota State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $27,000. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $51,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

9

University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.

10
Drury University crest
Drury University
Springfield, MO

Drury University earned the #10 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,745. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Drury University generally make around $54,723. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Drury University admits about 58% of applicants.

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11

Washington University In St Louis came in at #11 for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $17,553. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $61,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.

12

Dunwoody College Of Technology landed the #12 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,477. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Dunwoody College Of Technology earn a median of $44,690 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

13
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS

Benedictine College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Located in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,350. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $46,255. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Roughly 98% 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 · 20 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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