[Architecture & Related Services](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 391 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value architecture & related services schools.
Finding the Best Value Architecture & Related Services School for You
Where you study architecture & related services affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Architecture & Related Services Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Architecture & Related Services Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Cerritos College, our #1 best value for architecture & related services in the United States. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for architecture & related services. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,843 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,519. That is a strong return on a $19,843 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #4 place for architecture & related services. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for architecture & related services. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $24,385. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Ventura College landed the #7 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny City College landed the #8 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $13,389. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $61,110 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Santa Monica College earned the #9 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Diablo Valley College placed #10 among the best values for architecture & related services. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno earned the #11 position for value in architecture & related services this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College landed the #13 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
El Paso Community College placed #14 among the best values for architecture & related services. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College landed the #15 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #16 for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Students borrow a median of $15,221 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $34,834. Set against $15,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earned the #17 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $11,533 in student loans. Architecture & Related Services graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
Oakland Community College earned the #18 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College placed #19 among the best values for architecture & related services. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $10,855. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California San Diego landed the #20 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $60,797. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University earned the #21 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
California State University Sacramento placed #22 among the best values for architecture & related services. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $50,108 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #25 among the best values for architecture & related services. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Architecture & Related Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for architecture & related services this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 391 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 97 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).
[Architecture & Related Services](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
