2026 Best Value Architectural Engineering Schools

1

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #1 spot for value among architectural engineering schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,116 in student loans. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $80,481. Set against $25,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.

2

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Architectural Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

3

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

A rank of #3 makes Missouri University Of Science And Technology one of the best values for architectural engineering. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Architectural Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $73,274 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.

4

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,743 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $55,459. That is a strong return on a $24,743 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.

5

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

Students looking for strong value in architectural engineering will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Architectural Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

6

North Carolina A And T State University
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A And T State University earned the #6 position for value in architectural engineering this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,608 in student loans. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $67,152. Set against $28,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

7

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $20,283. Architectural Engineering graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $66,497 early in their careers. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

8

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas earned the #8 position for value in architectural engineering this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $76,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

9

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in architectural engineering this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $50,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

10

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

11

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #11 for value in architectural engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $23,138. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

12

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Architectural Engineering graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $74,091 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

13

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #13 position for value in architectural engineering this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $25,701. Architectural Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $73,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

14

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University landed the #14 spot for architectural engineering value this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,043 in student loans. Architectural Engineering graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $51,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,043 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

15

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #15 for value in architectural engineering this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Architectural Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.

16

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #16 among the best values for architectural engineering. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $71,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

17

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder placed #17 among the best values for architectural engineering. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $15,165 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $72,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

18

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $22,000. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $90,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

19

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for architectural engineering. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $25,880 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Architectural Engineering graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $72,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

20

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #20 for value in architectural engineering this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

21

Milwaukee School Of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee School Of Engineering ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,480. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $72,677. Set against $27,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Milwaukee School Of Engineering admits about 59% of applicants.

22

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University landed the #22 spot for architectural engineering value this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $76,272. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.

23

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA

Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from Worcester Polytechnic Institute generally make around $91,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester Polytechnic Institute admits about 60% of applicants.