2026 Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Architectural Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/architectural-engineering-technology/) 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 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for architectural engineering technology students.
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2026 Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the architectural engineering technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Schools
For return on investment in architectural engineering technology, no school beat Columbus State Community College this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $9,041. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural engineering technology schools. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Students from in state pay about $4,960 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $14,188 in student loans. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $48,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural engineering technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $21,717 in student loans. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $69,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,717 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northcentral Technical College earned it the #4 place for architectural engineering technology. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $11,709. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $44,840 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Western Technical College La Cross one of the best values for architectural engineering technology. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Students borrow a median of $13,669 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $43,479 early in their careers. Set against $13,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University earned the #6 position for value in architectural engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $14,589. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $54,608 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,589 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $16,812. Early-career architectural engineering technology graduates make about $44,279. Set against $16,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for architectural engineering technology. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $19,270 in student loans. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $75,913 early in their careers. Set against $19,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
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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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
