2027 Best Value General Architecture Schools in New York

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general architecture students.
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2027 Best Value General Architecture Schools in New York
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 Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art the best value for a degree in general 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. Students from in state pay about $46,820 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,805 to complete the general architecture program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general architecture, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,892, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $49,192 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
University At Buffalo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general architecture, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $22,854. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $37,622. Set against $22,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the best values for general architecture. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $23,258. General Architecture graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Barnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general architecture, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,888. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $17,609. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $50,790. That is a strong return on a $17,609 median debt. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
Ithaca College placed #6 among the best values for general architecture. Set in the suburb of Ithaca, Ithaca College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,616. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $24,517. General Architecture graduates of Ithaca College earn a median of $38,328 early in their careers. Set against $24,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #7 for value in general architecture this year. Located in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $54,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admits about 64% of applicants.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.