2027 Best Value architecture Schools in the The Plains States Region
[architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/architecture/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for architecture students.
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2027 Best Value architecture Schools in the The Plains States 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 North Dakota State University Main Campus the best value for a degree in architecture in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Architecture graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $55,779. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for architecture. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $22,284 to complete the architecture program here. Early-career architecture graduates make about $50,332. That is a strong return on a $22,284 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Drury University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,745 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the architecture program here. Architecture graduates of Drury University earn a median of $54,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drury University admits about 58% of applicants.
Benedictine College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architecture, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,350. Architecture graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career architecture graduates make about $46,255. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
