2026 Best Value Architectural Technology/Technician Bachelor’s Degree Schools

[Architectural Technology/Technician](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/architectural-sciences-and-technology/architectural-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong architectural technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 79 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for architectural technology/technician students.
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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
Leading the list is Cuny New York City College Of Technology, our #1 best value for architectural technology/technician in the United States. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $15,221 to complete the architectural technology/technician program here. Early-career architectural technology/technician graduates make about $34,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Kentucky University earned it the #2 place for architectural technology/technician. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $26,823 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural technology/technician schools. 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. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $27,000. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $45,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Thomas Jefferson University one of the best values for architectural technology/technician. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,355. Architectural Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $64,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Southern California Institute Of Architecture one of the best values for architectural technology/technician. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Southern California Institute Of Architecture is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,162 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,909 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Boston Architectural College landed the #6 spot for architectural technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston Architectural College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,470. Typical student debt for architectural technology/technician graduates is $53,192. Architectural Technology/technician graduates of Boston Architectural College earn a median of $62,409 early in their careers. Set against $53,192 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Other Architectural Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Architectural Technology/Technician rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 3 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.