2027 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong architectural sciences & technology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for architectural sciences & technology students.
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2027 Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architectural sciences & technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked Ventura College the best value for a degree in architectural sciences & technology in the United States. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Joliet Junior College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Santa Monica College one of the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #4 place for architectural sciences & technology. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Cerritos College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College came in at #6 for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #7 spot for architectural sciences & technology value 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, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $44,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Mt San Antonio College placed #9 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio 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 $10,464. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $9,384. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College came in at #10 for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #11 for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College earned the #12 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology 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.
El Camino Community College District placed #13 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Diablo Valley College came in at #14 for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University earned the #15 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $53,920. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #16 for value in architectural sciences & technology 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Edison State College placed #17 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public institution. 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. Set against $13,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #18 spot for architectural sciences & technology value 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 Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
Truckee Meadows Community College landed the #19 spot for architectural sciences & technology value this year. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. In-state tuition and fees average $3,352, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.
Springfield Technical Community College landed the #20 spot for architectural sciences & technology value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $9,707. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $42,457. Set against $9,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cosumnes River College came in at #21 for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #22 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #23 spot for architectural sciences & technology value this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,533 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
Chabot College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blinn College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s architectural sciences & technology value ranking:
Other Architectural Sciences & Technology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value architectural sciences & technology schools at other degree levels:
View All Architectural Sciences & Technology 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
