2027 Best Value General Architecture Schools in Pennsylvania

[General Architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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 Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general architecture, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Architecture Schools
Leading the list is Marywood University, our #1 best value for general architecture in Pennsylvania. Set in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,420. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general architecture program here. General Architecture graduates of Marywood University earn a median of $48,650 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general architecture schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $16,155. General Architecture graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general architecture schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the general architecture program here. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general architecture, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the general architecture program here. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the best values for general architecture. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,440 to complete the general architecture program here. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $60,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University earned the #6 position for value in general architecture this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $23,008. General Architecture graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
Drexel University landed the #7 spot for general architecture value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. General Architecture graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $57,730 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.