2026 Best Value Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

For return on investment in architectural & building sciences/technology, no school beat University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $19,137. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $56,856 early in their careers. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,291 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology 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. The acceptance rate is 42%.

3

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $52,123. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

4

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural & building sciences/technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

5

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

A rank of #5 makes University Of Detroit Mercy one of the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $29,053. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $26,657. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $56,091 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

7

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $58,088. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.

8

Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI

Andrews University landed the #8 spot for architectural & building sciences/technology value this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

9

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for architectural & building sciences/technology value this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $31,343 in student loans. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $37,948. Set against $31,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.

10

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #10 position for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

11

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $23,530. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $59,001. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

12

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford placed #12 among the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $24,177. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $49,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,177 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

13

Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI

Lawrence Technological University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools. Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Southfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,760. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $27,799. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from Lawrence Technological University generally make around $57,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

14

School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago earned the #14 position for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,623. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $27,000. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $38,205. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.