2027 Best Value architecture Schools in Illinois
[architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/architecture/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for architecture students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value architecture Schools in Illinois
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 Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in architecture in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Architecture graduates carry a median of $23,840 in student loans. Early-career architecture graduates make about $37,143. Set against $23,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in architecture will find it at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #2. 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. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $51,093. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Judson University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture schools. Judson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $30,297 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $26,221. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Judson University generally make around $48,301. That is a strong return on a $26,221 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
More architecture Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
