[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for architecture & related services students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architecture & related services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 best value for architecture & related services in the The Plains States Region. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $22,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $51,642. That is a strong return on a $22,271 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for architecture & related services. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 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 $55,779. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $26,052 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Soon after graduation, architecture & related services degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $46,294. That is a strong return on a $26,052 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architecture & related services, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $61,446. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Iowa State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value architecture & related services schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,806 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $57,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Kansas State University landed the #6 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $51,543. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University placed #7 among the best values for architecture & related services. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #8 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $21,818. Architecture & Related Services graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Drury University placed #9 among the best values for architecture & related services. Drury University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,745. Typical student debt for architecture & related services graduates is $31,000. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Drury University earn a median of $54,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #10 spot for architecture & related services value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Architecture & Related Services graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $61,564. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Dunwoody College Of Technology earned the #11 position for value in architecture & related services this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,477. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Architecture & Related Services graduates of Dunwoody College Of Technology earn a median of $44,690 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dunwoody College Of Technology admits about 99% of applicants.
Benedictine College placed #12 among the best values for architecture & related services. Set in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,350. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the architecture & related services program here. Early-career architecture & related services graduates make about $46,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Benedictine College admits about 98% of applicants.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
