[Architectural Engineering](/majors/engineering/architectural-engineering/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for architectural engineering students.
Finding the Best Value Architectural Engineering School for You
The architectural engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Architectural Engineering 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 Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At Arlington the best value for a degree in architectural engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes North Carolina A And T State University one of the best values for architectural engineering. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $28,608 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $67,152. Set against $28,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $25,116. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $80,481. Set against $25,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Kingsville earned it the #4 place for architectural engineering. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,743 in student loans. Architectural Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $55,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,743 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in architectural engineering will find it at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, which ranked #5. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Architectural Engineering graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming came in at #6 for value in architectural engineering this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $66,497. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Architectural Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $73,274 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #9 position for value in architectural engineering this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $22,386. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in architectural engineering this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Kansas placed #11 among the best values for architectural engineering. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $76,353. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Tennessee State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $45,060. That is a strong return on a $29,489 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $71,315. Set against $26,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #14 spot for architectural engineering value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $25,701. Architectural Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $73,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University landed the #15 spot for architectural engineering value this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $74,091. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #16 among the best values for architectural engineering. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Architectural Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Oregon State University landed the #17 spot for architectural engineering value this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $24,041. Architectural Engineering graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $51,326 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,041 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The University Of Alabama came in at #18 for value in architectural engineering this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Auburn University earned the #19 position for value in architectural engineering this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $90,194. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering placed #20 among the best values for architectural engineering. Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $50,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $27,667. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $72,677. That is a strong return on a $27,667 median debt. Milwaukee School Of Engineering admits about 59% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,165 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $72,567. That is a strong return on a $15,165 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #22 spot for architectural engineering value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $25,880. Architectural Engineering graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $72,691 early in their careers. Set against $25,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $80,947. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Miami earned the #24 position for value in architectural engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $57,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $76,272. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Architectural Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s architectural engineering value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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](/majors/engineering/architectural-engineering/) 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.
