[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 391 schools to find the best return on investment for architecture & related services students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architecture & related services, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in architecture & related services, no school beat Cuny City College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architecture & related services, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $19,843. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $41,477. Set against $19,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in architecture & related services will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #3. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned it the #4 place for architecture & related services. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $15,221. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $34,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for architecture & related services. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento earned the #6 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $50,108. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Princeton University placed #7 among the best values for architecture & related services. 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. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Utah Valley University earned the #8 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #9 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $23,625. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $22,719 early in their careers. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $26,899. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $56,733. That is a strong return on a $26,899 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $11,904. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Rice University earn a median of $65,091 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #12 position for value in architecture & related services this year. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $58,578. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #15 for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $37,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University came in at #16 for value in architecture & related services this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #17 position for value in architecture & related services this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Architecture & Related Services graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Fairmont State University landed the #18 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $26,447. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $45,920. That is a strong return on a $26,447 median debt. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #19 for value in architecture & related services this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $62,630 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University earned the #20 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $50,602. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Arizona State University placed #21 among the best values for architecture & related services. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,995 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $42,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama landed the #22 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $41,357. Set against $24,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #23 among the best values for architecture & related services. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $23,840. Architecture & Related Services graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $27,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Utah State University landed the #24 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $16,191. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #25 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in architecture & related services:
Explore the best-value architecture & related services schools at other degree levels:
View All Architecture & Related Services Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
