2026 Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools in the The Plains States 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for architectural sciences & technology students.
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2026 Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architectural sciences & technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Architectural Sciences & Technology Schools
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities tops our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $55,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $23,608. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $61,511 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Early-career architectural sciences & technology graduates make about $49,755. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Kansas State University one of the best values for architectural sciences & technology. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for architectural sciences & technology graduates is $23,546. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural sciences & technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $57,928. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
South Dakota State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,989 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #7 for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural sciences & technology schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the architectural sciences & technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural sciences & technology degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $61,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Dunwoody College Of Technology earned the #9 position for value in architectural sciences & technology this year. Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $27,477 in tuition and fees. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Architectural Sciences & Technology graduates of Dunwoody College Of Technology earn a median of $44,690 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dunwoody College Of Technology admits about 99% of applicants.
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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 · 13 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.
