2026 Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools in the Southwest Region

[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 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools in the Southwest 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 Rice University the best value for a degree in architectural sciences & technology in the Southwest Region. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Rice University earn a median of $65,091 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural sciences & technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,875 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $36,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $59,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural sciences & technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #6 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $56,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #7 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $31,000. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $47,255 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $56,272. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Blinn College placed #9 among the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #10 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #11 for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $36,097. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #12 spot for architectural sciences & technology value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $21,275. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Narrow Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools by State
More Architectural Sciences & Technology Rankings
View All Architectural Sciences & Technology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.