2026 Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Associate’s Degree Schools
[Architectural Sciences & Technology](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/architectural-sciences-and-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 202 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools.
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2026 Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the architectural sciences & technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools
Mt San Antonio College earned the #1 spot for value among architectural sciences & technology schools in the United States. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
St Petersburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural sciences & technology, landing the #2 spot this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology 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, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Pasadena City College one of the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $9,191. Architectural Sciences & Technology 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Orange Coast College earned it the #5 place for architectural sciences & technology. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $9,205. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,533 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $33,960. Set against $11,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College came in at #8 for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Salt Lake Community College landed the #9 spot for architectural sciences & technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College placed #10 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $5,500. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $14,413. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
Bakersfield College earned the #12 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Weber State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology placed #15 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,050. Students borrow a median of $9,915 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $43,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Edison State College came in at #16 for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $52,597. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.
Springfield Technical Community College placed #17 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Students borrow a median of $9,707 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $42,457. Set against $9,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas State Technical College earned the #18 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $9,875. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Texas State Technical College generally make around $36,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College earned the #19 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $11,780. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $41,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuesta College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,350, compared with $11,010 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $18,958. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. That is a strong return on a $18,958 median debt.
Blinn College earned the #21 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $43,408. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dunwoody College Of Technology ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,477. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $18,500. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $44,690. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology placed #23 among the best values for architectural 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, with out-of-state students paying around $25,680. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Technology generally make around $41,418. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Other Architectural Sciences & Technology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Architectural Sciences & Technology rankings across degree levels:
View All Architectural Sciences & Technology Rankings >
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 · 202 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.
