2026 Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools in California
[Architectural Sciences & Technology](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/architectural-sciences-and-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 53 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 California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architectural sciences & technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools
For return on investment in architectural sciences & technology, no school beat Cerritos College this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in architectural sciences & technology will find it at College Of The Sequoias, which ranked #2. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ventura College earned it the #3 place for architectural sciences & technology. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 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. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. 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.
Pasadena City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural sciences & technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Santa Monica College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Orange Coast College placed #7 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College landed the #8 spot for architectural sciences & technology value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $5,500. 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.
Bakersfield College landed the #9 spot for architectural sciences & technology value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,430 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College earned the #10 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. 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 came in at #11 for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
City College Of San Francisco placed #12 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca earned the #13 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public school located in the city of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $1,191, with out-of-state students paying around $10,935. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $19,800. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,540 ten years after entry. Set against $19,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Los Angeles College came in at #14 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $33,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Hondo College placed #15 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Located in the rural area of Whittier, Rio Hondo College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,388 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,884. Students borrow a median of $15,510 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $95,666. Set against $15,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $63,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #17 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $16,097. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $60,428. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Cuesta College came in at #18 for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,350, with out-of-state students paying around $11,010. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. Set against $18,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #19 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. 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.
California Baptist University placed #20 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $51,999 early in their careers. Set against $28,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Southern California came in at #21 for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $30,625 in student loans. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $51,482 early in their careers. Set against $30,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Woodbury University landed the #22 spot for architectural sciences & technology value this year. Set in the city of Burbank, Woodbury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,056. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $39,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Woodbury University generally make around $40,484. That is a strong return on a $39,750 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Southern California Institute Of Architecture ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Southern California Institute Of Architecture is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
California College Of The Arts earned the #24 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $60,226. Students borrow a median of $27,594 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $76,381. That is a strong return on a $27,594 median debt. California College Of The Arts admits about 91% of applicants.
Newschool Of Architecture And Design ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Newschool Of Architecture And Design is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,291 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $39,251. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Newschool Of Architecture And Design earn a median of $56,119 early in their careers. Set against $39,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s architectural sciences & technology value ranking:
More Architectural Sciences & Technology Rankings
View All Architectural Sciences & Technology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
