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2026 Best Value Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology Schools in the Far Western Region

9 Colleges in the United States
$26,200 Avg Student Debt
$71,262 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology Badge [Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/architectural-sciences-and-technology/architectural-and-building-sciences-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong architectural & building sciences/technology education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for architectural & building sciences/technology students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology Schools in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architectural & building sciences/technology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Washington Seattle Campus, our #1 best value for architectural & building sciences/technology in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $18,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $73,126. Set against $18,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned it the #2 place for architectural & building sciences/technology. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $20,577. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $48,181. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned it the #3 place for architectural & building sciences/technology. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $64,409. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

4

University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural & building sciences/technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $16,097. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $60,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in architectural & building sciences/technology will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #5. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $63,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

6

Washington State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $49,561. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

7

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #7 for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $58,653 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Oregon earned the #8 position for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,034 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $44,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

9

California Baptist University came in at #9 for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,228. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $51,999. That is a strong return on a $28,169 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Southern California earned the #10 position for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $30,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $51,482. That is a strong return on a $30,625 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

11

Woodbury University came in at #11 for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Located in the city of Burbank, Woodbury University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,056 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $39,750 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from Woodbury University generally make around $40,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

12

Southern California Institute Of Architecture earned the #12 position for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Southern California Institute Of Architecture is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $56,162. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,909. Southern California Institute Of Architecture admits about 77% of applicants.

13

California College Of The Arts earned the #13 position for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,226. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $27,594. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $76,381. Set against $27,594 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

14

Newschool Of Architecture And Design placed #14 among the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. Set in the city of San Diego, Newschool Of Architecture And Design is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,291. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $39,251 in student loans. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $56,119. Set against $39,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Newschool Of Architecture And Design admits about 100% of applicants.

15

Art Center College Of Design ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools. Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $54,170. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $37,803 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from Art Center College Of Design generally make around $52,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

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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 · 17 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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