[Architecture & Related Services](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value architecture & related services schools.
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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 Henry Ford Community College this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earned it the #2 place for architecture & related services. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,533 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for architecture & related services. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Students looking for strong value in architecture & related services will find it at Oakland Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the architecture & related services program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grand Rapids Community College earned it the #5 place for architecture & related services. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $11,780 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $41,689. Set against $11,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $48,015. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #8 among the best values for architecture & related services. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $20,542. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #9 position for value in architecture & related services this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $21,291. Architecture & Related Services graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $49,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University landed the #10 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $26,689. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $64,788. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Indiana State University came in at #11 for value in architecture & related services this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $40,441. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #12 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #13 position for value in architecture & related services this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Ball State University placed #14 among the best values for architecture & related services. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $28,670 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $55,938. That is a strong return on a $28,670 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #15 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $25,000. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $51,093. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $26,000. Architecture & Related Services graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,694 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $47,305 early in their careers. Set against $26,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Mount Mary College placed #18 among the best values for architecture & related services. Mount Mary College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $35,420 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,372 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Mount Mary College earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Andrews University earned the #19 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $26,000. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #21 for value in architecture & related services this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Students borrow a median of $31,123 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $37,948 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #22 for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $22,768. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $46,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $43,752. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Judson University placed #24 among the best values for architecture & related services. Located in the city of Elgin, Judson University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,297. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $26,221 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $48,301. That is a strong return on a $26,221 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design earned the #25 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,743. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design generally make around $24,782. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design admits about 60% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in architecture & related services:
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Notes and References
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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
