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2027 Best Value Architectural Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

6 Colleges in the United States
$23,740 Avg Student Debt
$71,460 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Architectural Engineering Master's Degree Badge [Architectural Engineering](/majors/engineering/architectural-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for architectural engineering students.

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2027 Best Value Architectural Engineering Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the architectural engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Architectural Engineering Schools

1

For return on investment in architectural engineering, no school beat California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $25,116 to complete the architectural engineering program here. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $80,481. That is a strong return on a $25,116 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in architectural engineering will find it at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $22,386. Architectural Engineering graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in architectural engineering will find it at Illinois Institute Of Technology, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Architectural Engineering graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

4
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Students looking for strong value in architectural engineering will find it at Auburn University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Architectural Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career architectural engineering graduates make about $103,273. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

5

University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value architectural engineering schools. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

6

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in architectural engineering this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural engineering graduates is $31,000. Architectural Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $81,823 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

Other Architectural Engineering Degree Levels

Explore the best-value architectural engineering schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Architectural Engineering
Bachelor's Degrees in Architectural Engineering

View All Architectural Engineering Rankings >

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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