[Architecture & Related Services](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong architecture & related services education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 391 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for architecture & related services students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the architecture & related services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Mt San Antonio College tops our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $9,384. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #2 place for architecture & related services. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. 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.
Orange Coast College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $8,978. 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.
A rank of #4 makes Ventura College one of the best values for architecture & related services. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $20,250. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in architecture & related services will find it at St Petersburg College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
El Paso Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Architecture & Related Services graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Palomar College landed the #8 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #9 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $11,533. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $33,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College placed #10 among the best values for architecture & related services. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $15,865. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College landed the #11 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #12 among the best values for architecture & related services. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cosumnes River College landed the #13 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $5,500. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #14 spot for architecture & related services value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University placed #15 among the best values for architecture & related services. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bakersfield College came in at #16 for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $9,419. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology came in at #17 for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,050 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,915 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology generally make around $43,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #18 spot for architecture & related services value this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Edison State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $52,597 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.
Springfield Technical Community College earned the #20 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Students borrow a median of $9,707 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Springfield Technical Community College earn a median of $42,457 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas State Technical College earned the #21 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Students borrow a median of $9,875 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $36,265. Set against $9,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #22 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Students borrow a median of $11,780 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuesta College earned the #23 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $1,350 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,010 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $18,958. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. That is a strong return on a $18,958 median debt.
Blinn College earned the #24 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $16,465. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dunwoody College Of Technology ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,477 in tuition and fees. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Dunwoody College Of Technology earn a median of $44,690 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dunwoody College Of Technology admits about 99% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s architecture & related services value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Architecture & Related Services rankings across degree levels:
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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 · 391 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
