[Architecture & Related Services](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Leading the list is Oakland Community College, our #1 best value for architecture & related services in Michigan. 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, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in architecture & related services will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #2. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $64,788. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Andrews University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architecture & related services, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architecture & related services, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $47,031. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Detroit Mercy one of the best values for architecture & related services. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
Lawrence Technological University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Set in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,760. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $27,799. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $57,098. Set against $27,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
