2027 Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools
[Architectural Technology/Technician](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/architectural-sciences-and-technology/architectural-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong architectural technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value architectural technology/technician schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the architectural technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools
Ventura College tops our 2027 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools in the United States. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. 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 Joliet Junior College, which ranked #2. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College came in at #3 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in architectural technology/technician will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #4. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $11,306. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #7 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $16,142. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $44,101. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Citrus College earned the #8 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Pensacola State College earned the #9 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $45,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #10 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District placed #11 among the best values for architectural technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $9,384. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Cosumnes River College placed #13 among the best values for architectural technology/technician. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $19,699. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Orange Coast College earned the #14 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #15 spot for architectural technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. 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.
Edison State College earned the #16 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $52,597. Set against $13,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College placed #17 among the best values for architectural technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $9,205. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #18 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $11,533. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College placed #19 among the best values for architectural technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $10,855. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University landed the #20 spot for architectural technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chabot College placed #21 among the best values for architectural technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #22 for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Los Angeles College landed the #23 spot for architectural technology/technician value this year. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $33,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,180 median debt.
Southwestern College Chula Vista earned the #24 position for value in architectural technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,344, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. Students borrow a median of $11,205 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, architectural technology/technician degree recipients from Southwestern College Chula Vista generally make around $49,358. That is a strong return on a $11,205 median debt.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology placed #25 among the best values for architectural technology/technician. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $9,050 in tuition and fees. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,915 in student loans. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $43,244. That is a strong return on a $9,915 median debt. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in architectural technology/technician:
Other Architectural Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Explore the best-value architectural technology/technician schools at other degree levels:
View All Architectural Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
