2026 Best Value General Architecture Schools in the The Plains States Region

[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for general architecture students.
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2026 Best Value General Architecture Schools in the The Plains States 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
Leading the list is North Dakota State University Main Campus, our #1 best value for general architecture in the The Plains States Region. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $27,000. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $55,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general architecture, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $22,284. Soon after graduation, general architecture degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $50,332. Set against $22,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Drury University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general architecture, landing the #3 spot this year. Drury University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $36,745. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $31,000. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $54,723. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in general architecture will find it at Washington University In St Louis, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the general architecture program here. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Benedictine College one of the best values for general architecture. Set in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,350. Typical student debt for general architecture graduates is $24,990. Early-career general architecture graduates make about $46,255. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 8 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.