2027 Best Value architecture Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/architecture/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 71 schools to find the best return on investment for architecture students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value architecture Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the architecture degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value architecture Schools
For return on investment in architecture, no school beat Princeton University this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for architecture. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,843 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $40,542. That is a strong return on a $19,843 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for architecture. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architecture, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Architecture graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career architecture graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architecture, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $13,250. Architecture graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $37,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #6 spot for architecture value this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $57,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $38,998. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Rice University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #9 spot for architecture value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Architecture graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Architecture graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #10 for value in architecture this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $15,000. Early-career architecture graduates make about $50,917. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for architecture. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $28,192. Early-career architecture graduates make about $48,863. That is a strong return on a $28,192 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #12 among the best values for architecture. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Architecture graduates carry a median of $23,840 in student loans. Architecture graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $27,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,840 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University came in at #13 for value in architecture this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earned the #14 position for value in architecture this year. Located in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,820. Architecture graduates carry a median of $16,805 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art generally make around $16,678. That is a strong return on a $16,805 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #15 for value in architecture this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Architecture graduates carry a median of $20,423 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $50,809. Set against $20,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #16 spot for architecture value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $39,181. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University landed the #17 spot for architecture value this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Architecture graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $32,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #18 spot for architecture value this year. 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. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $16,097. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $23,535 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $40,166. Set against $23,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Houston earned the #20 position for value in architecture this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $26,250. Architecture graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $49,388 early in their careers. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #21 for value in architecture this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Architecture graduates carry a median of $21,067 in student loans. Early-career architecture graduates make about $37,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Architecture graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career architecture graduates make about $43,248. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University landed the #23 spot for architecture value this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,670 to complete the architecture program here. Architecture graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $57,603 early in their careers. Set against $28,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #24 spot for architecture value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the architecture program here. Architecture graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Architecture graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Architecture graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,558 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value architecture Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for architecture this year:
Other architecture Degree Levels
Explore the best-value architecture schools at other degree levels:
View All architecture 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 · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 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.
