2027 Best Value architecture Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for architecture students.
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2027 Best Value architecture Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in architecture in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $38,998. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in architecture will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $23,840. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,143. Set against $23,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #3 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. Architecture graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $51,093 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Ball State University one of the best values for architecture. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $28,670. Architecture graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $55,889 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,670 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in architecture will find it at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $43,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Judson University landed the #6 spot for architecture value this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Judson University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,297. Students borrow a median of $26,221 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $48,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $45,196. Set against $25,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,600 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $44,598. Set against $22,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame placed #9 among the best values for architecture. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $28,419. Early-career architecture graduates make about $64,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 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.
