2027 Best Value architecture Schools in New York

[architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/architecture/) 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 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value architecture schools.
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2027 Best Value architecture Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architecture, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value architecture Schools
Our analysis ranked Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art the best value for a degree in architecture in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,820. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $16,805. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art generally make around $16,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Students looking for strong value in architecture will find it at Suny College Of Technology At Alfred, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,892, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $31,000. Early-career architecture graduates make about $49,192. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University At Buffalo one of the best values for architecture. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,854 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $37,622. That is a strong return on a $22,854 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in architecture will find it at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Ithaca College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture schools. Located in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,616 in tuition and fees. Architecture graduates carry a median of $24,517 in student loans. Architecture graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $38,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,517 median debt. Ithaca College admits about 69% of applicants.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture schools. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,078. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute generally make around $54,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.