[General Architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 82 schools to find the best return on investment for general architecture students.
Finding the Best Value General Architecture School for You
Where you study general architecture affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value General Architecture Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Architecture Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
For return on investment in general architecture, no school beat Princeton University this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general architecture, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,843 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Fresno came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general architecture schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $15,598. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #4 place for general architecture. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $16,478. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes El Paso Community College one of the best values for general architecture. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general 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 landed the #6 spot for general architecture value this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $10,058. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida landed the #7 spot for general architecture value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. General Architecture graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $37,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #8 spot for general architecture value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $49,537. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general architecture schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. General Architecture graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $57,514 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #10 for value in general architecture this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. General Architecture graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $38,998 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Rice University earned the #11 position for value in general architecture this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $11,904. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general architecture schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $50,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #13 spot for general architecture value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $50,917 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general architecture schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $28,192 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $48,863 early in their careers. Set against $28,192 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #15 among the best values for general architecture. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $23,840. General Architecture graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $37,143 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,840 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Kean University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general architecture schools. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $27,000. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $48,705. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University landed the #17 spot for general architecture value this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $25,000. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $32,678. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #18 among the best values for general architecture. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $20,423 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $55,967 early in their careers. Set against $20,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general architecture schools. 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. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $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.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earned the #20 position for value in general architecture this year. Set in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,820. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $16,805 in student loans. General Architecture graduates of Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earn a median of $16,678 early in their careers. Set against $16,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art admits about 21% of applicants.
Brookdale Community College placed #21 among the best values for general architecture. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Louisiana Tech University earned the #22 position for value in general architecture this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Students borrow a median of $23,846 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $50,602 early in their careers. Set against $23,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #23 spot for general architecture value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras landed the #24 spot for general architecture value this year. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $5,673. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $24,881. That is a strong return on a $5,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #25 for value in general architecture this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $51,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Architecture Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general architecture:
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 · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 82 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).
[General Architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-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.
