2026 Best Value General Architecture Schools in Pennsylvania

[General Architecture](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/general-architecture/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general architecture schools.
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2026 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
Our analysis ranked Marywood University the best value for a degree in general architecture in Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. General Architecture graduates of Marywood University earn a median of $48,650 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Students looking for strong value in general architecture will find it at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #2. 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, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $24,958. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for general architecture. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general architecture schools. 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. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. General Architecture graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,008 median debt. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University earned the #6 position for value in general architecture this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. General Architecture graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $57,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 3 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.