2026 Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools in the Far Western Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools to find the best return on investment for architectural sciences & technology students.
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2026 Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools in the Far Western Region
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
Our analysis ranked Cerritos College the best value for a degree in architectural sciences & technology in the Far Western Region. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $11,306. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in architectural sciences & technology will find it at College Of The Sequoias, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in architectural sciences & technology will find it at Ventura College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College earned the #6 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Orange Coast College landed the #7 spot for architectural sciences & technology value 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, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $8,978. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Cosumnes River College placed #8 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. 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.
Diablo Valley College ranked #9 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. 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.
Palomar College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Bakersfield College came in at #11 for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. That is a strong return on a $9,419 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #12 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca landed the #13 spot for architectural sciences & technology value this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public school located in the city of Glendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,191, compared with $10,935 for out-of-state students. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $19,800 in student loans. Median earnings reach $41,540 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,800 median debt.
East Los Angeles College earned the #14 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Set in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Architectural Sciences & Technology 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.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #15 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $21,181. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $64,409. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #16 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $18,977 in student loans. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $73,126. Set against $18,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Rio Hondo College placed #17 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Rio Hondo College is a very large public school located in the rural area of Whittier. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,388, while out-of-state students pay about $9,884. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $15,510 in student loans. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $95,666. That is a strong return on a $15,510 median debt.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $48,181. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Cuesta College earned the #19 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,350, while out-of-state students pay about $11,010. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $18,958. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,958 median debt.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #20 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $60,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #21 for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $63,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Washington State University earned the #22 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $49,561. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #23 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $58,653 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of Oregon ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,034 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $44,628 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
California Baptist University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $51,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,169 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in architectural sciences & technology:
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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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
