2026 Best Value Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/architectural-sciences-and-technology/architectural-and-building-sciences-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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for architectural & building sciences/technology students.
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2026 Best Value Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
Princeton University tops our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $10,888. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $61,110. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural & building sciences/technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $15,221. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $34,834 early in their careers. Set against $15,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in architectural & building sciences/technology will find it at Kean University, which ranked #5. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #6 for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $31,000. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $48,961. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $58,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Morgan State University placed #8 among the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,229, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $30,309. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $49,736. Set against $30,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morgan State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi came in at #9 for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Located in the rural area of Delhi, Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,303 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Delhi earn a median of $48,647 early in their careers. Set against $20,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo placed #10 among the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $48,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
New York Institute Of Technology landed the #11 spot for architectural & building sciences/technology value this year. Located in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,560 in tuition and fees. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from New York Institute Of Technology generally make around $50,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Jefferson University earned the #12 position for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $31,000. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $61,021 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology placed #13 among the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $43,501 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #14 for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $59,210. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $27,491 in student loans. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $63,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,491 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University placed #15 among the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $49,428. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for architectural & building sciences/technology value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $63,662. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $48,514 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Cornell University landed the #18 spot for architectural & building sciences/technology value this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $17,315. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $58,853. That is a strong return on a $17,315 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Syracuse University placed #20 among the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $58,622 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
New York School Of Interior Design ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural & building sciences/technology schools. Located in the city of New York, New York School Of Interior Design is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,130 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $48,041 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Pratt Institute Main came in at #22 for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $61,845. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $56,038. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.
The New School earned the #23 position for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $24,460. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of The New School earn a median of $56,546 early in their careers. Set against $24,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
