[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.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value architecture & related services schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architecture & related services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Salt Lake Community College, our #1 best value for architecture & related services in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architecture & related services, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Weber State University one of the best values for architecture & related services. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $53,920. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in architecture & related services will find it at Utah State University, which ranked #4. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in architecture & related services will find it at University Of Utah, which ranked #5. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $40,717. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Idaho earned the #6 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $24,900. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $47,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #7 for value in architecture & related services this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,414 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $51,889. Set against $23,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $22,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $45,774. Set against $22,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $60,867 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $23,641 in student loans. Architecture & Related Services graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $42,401 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 15 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.
