[Architectural Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/architectural-engineering-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong architectural engineering technology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools to find the best return on investment for architectural engineering technology students.
Finding the Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology School for You
The architectural engineering technology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in architectural engineering technology, no school beat Wilkes Community College this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #2 place for architectural engineering technology. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in architectural engineering technology will find it at Triton College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering technology degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for architectural engineering technology. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $7,476. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midlands Technical College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural engineering technology schools. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $39,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Tarrant County College District ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural engineering technology schools. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering technology degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural engineering technology schools. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $16,909. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural engineering technology schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Early-career architectural engineering technology graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Essex County College landed the #9 spot for architectural engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering technology degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Pellissippi State Community College landed the #10 spot for architectural engineering technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering technology degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $43,816. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
Sinclair Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $12,525. Early-career architectural engineering technology graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #12 position for value in architectural engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Pikes Peak Community College came in at #13 for value in architectural engineering technology this year. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering technology degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nashville State Community College landed the #14 spot for architectural engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $16,745. Early-career architectural engineering technology graduates make about $41,456. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College landed the #15 spot for architectural engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #16 for value in architectural engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Early-career architectural engineering technology graduates make about $38,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University landed the #17 spot for architectural engineering technology value this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $14,589 in student loans. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $54,608 early in their careers. Set against $14,589 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Seminole State College Of Florida earned the #18 position for value in architectural engineering technology this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering technology degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $50,908. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College landed the #19 spot for architectural engineering technology value this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,254 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,900 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering technology degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earned the #20 position for value in architectural engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Students borrow a median of $14,188 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Early-career architectural engineering technology graduates make about $48,848. That is a strong return on a $14,188 median debt.
Community College Of Denver earned the #21 position for value in architectural engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,058, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Early-career architectural engineering technology graduates make about $45,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College came in at #22 for value in architectural engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $11,709. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering technology degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $44,840. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College placed #23 among the best values for architectural engineering technology. Clover Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Students borrow a median of $15,154 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering technology degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Fear Community College landed the #24 spot for architectural engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $12,388. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering technology degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University landed the #25 spot for architectural engineering technology value this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Early-career architectural engineering technology graduates make about $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for architectural engineering technology this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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).
[Architectural Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/architectural-engineering-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong architectural engineering technology education at a price that pays off.
