2026 Best Value architecture Schools in the Southwest Region
[architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/architecture/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong architecture education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for architecture students.
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2026 Best Value architecture Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architecture, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value architecture Schools
For return on investment in architecture, no school beat El Paso Community College this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Architecture graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Set against $10,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rice University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the architecture program here. Architecture graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in architecture will find it at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #4. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $44,766. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for architecture. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,067 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $37,918. That is a strong return on a $21,067 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #7 among the best values for architecture. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,535 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $51,144. Set against $23,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University came in at #8 for value in architecture this year. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Students borrow a median of $30,429 to complete the architecture program here. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $53,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #9 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. Architecture graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Early-career architecture graduates make about $58,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for architecture. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Architecture graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. Architecture graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #11 spot for architecture value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Architecture graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $59,911. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas Tech University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $21,699. Architecture graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $49,682 early in their careers. Set against $21,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for architecture graduates is $18,465. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $52,724. That is a strong return on a $18,465 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 20 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.
