2027 Best Value General Architecture Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general architecture education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general architecture schools.
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2027 Best Value General Architecture Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general architecture degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Architecture Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in general architecture in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $23,840. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,143. Set against $23,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for general architecture. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $18,750. General Architecture graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $38,998 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Students looking for strong value in general architecture will find it at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #3. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $51,093 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general architecture will find it at Ball State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $28,670. General Architecture graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $55,889 early in their careers. Set against $28,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for general architecture. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #6 spot for general architecture value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general architecture program here. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $43,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Judson University came in at #7 for value in general architecture this year. Judson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Elgin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,297. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $26,221 in student loans. General Architecture graduates of Judson University earn a median of $48,301 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in general architecture this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $45,196. Set against $25,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #9 spot for general architecture value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,600 to complete the general architecture program here. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $44,598. That is a strong return on a $22,600 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general architecture schools. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $28,419 in student loans. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $64,420. Set against $28,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
