2026 Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools
[Architectural Technology/Technician](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/architectural-sciences-and-technology/architectural-technology-technician/) 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 79 schools to find the best return on investment for architectural technology/technician students.
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Finding the Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician School for You
The architectural technology/technician program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architectural technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools
Cerritos College earned the #1 spot for value among architectural technology/technician schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
St Petersburg College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $24,385. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $48,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $20,250. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in architectural technology/technician will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Pasadena City College landed the #6 spot for architectural technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #8 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $11,533. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
Orange Coast College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #10 for value in architectural technology/technician 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $15,221. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $34,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,221 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cosumnes River College came in at #11 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bakersfield College placed #12 among the best values for architectural technology/technician. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College landed the #13 spot for architectural technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Diablo Valley College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College earned the #15 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $10,855. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #16 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $10,332. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca placed #17 among the best values for architectural technology/technician. Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public school located in the city of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $1,191, compared with $10,935 for out-of-state students. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $19,800 in student loans. Median earnings reach $41,540 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
Edison State College earned the #19 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earned the #20 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,050. Students borrow a median of $9,915 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $43,244. Set against $9,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.
East Los Angeles College earned the #21 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $8,180. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University came in at #22 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $19,176. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas State Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,212 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $36,265. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt.
Western Kentucky University landed the #24 spot for architectural technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $26,823. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $46,919 early in their careers. Set against $26,823 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Students borrow a median of $11,780 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in architectural technology/technician:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 79 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.
