2026 Best Value Architectural & Building Sciences/Technology Schools in the The Plains States 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 12 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 The Plains States 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
Our analysis ranked University Of Minnesota Twin Cities the best value for a degree in architectural & building sciences/technology in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $55,746 early in their careers. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural & building sciences/technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $61,511. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Kansas State University one of the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. 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. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $23,546. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in architectural & building sciences/technology will find it at Iowa State University, which ranked #5. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $57,928 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University came in at #6 for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $51,260. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #7 spot for architectural & building sciences/technology value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for architectural & building sciences/technology graduates is $21,818. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #8 position for value in architectural & building sciences/technology this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Architectural & Building Sciences/technology graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Early-career architectural & building sciences/technology graduates make about $61,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Dunwoody College Of Technology placed #9 among the best values for architectural & building sciences/technology. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,477. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the architectural & building sciences/technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural & building sciences/technology degree recipients from Dunwoody College Of Technology generally make around $44,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
