[Architecture & Related Services](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/) 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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 237 schools to find the best return on investment for architecture & related services students.
Finding the Best Value Architecture & Related Services School for You
The right architecture & related services school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Architecture & Related Services Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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.
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for architecture & related services in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $10,888. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #2 place for architecture & related services. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $19,843. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $51,506. Set against $19,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #3 makes Joliet Junior College one of the best values for architecture & related services. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architecture & related services, landing the #4 spot this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ventura College earned it the #5 place for architecture & related services. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Cuny City College earned the #6 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $61,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Pasadena City College placed #7 among the best values for architecture & related services. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College came in at #8 for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
West Valley College earned the #9 position for value in architecture & related services this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
California State University Fresno ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge earned the #11 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
El Paso Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #13 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias placed #14 among the best values for architecture & related services. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $10,288. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Architecture & Related Services graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. Set against $10,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University landed the #16 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #17 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College earned the #18 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
California State University Sacramento earned the #19 position for value in architecture & related services this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego Mesa College placed #20 among the best values for architecture & related services. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Orange Coast College placed #21 among the best values for architecture & related services. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University came in at #22 for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #23 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $15,221 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $34,834. Set against $15,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Pensacola State College landed the #24 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $9,191. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $45,811 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College landed the #25 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $9,205. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Architecture & Related Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in architecture & related services:
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 · 237 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 237 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/) 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.
