2026 Best Value Architectural History Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Architectural History master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 33 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Architectural History Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat The University Of Texas At Austin this year in the United States. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete their Architectural History program here. The University Of Texas At Austin alumni report median earnings of $75,121 a decade after entry. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #2 place in the United States. University Of Houston is a public school based in Houston, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. University Of Houston Architectural History students take on a median of $21,255 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,377. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Houston
A rank of #3 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the best values in the United States. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete their Architectural History program here. University Of Virginia Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $86,863 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Boston Architectural College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Architectural History ranking in the United States. Set in Boston, MA, Boston Architectural College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,470. Students borrow a median of $53,192 to complete their Architectural History program here. Boston Architectural College alumni report median earnings of $62,123 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Boston Architectural College profile
A rank of #5 makes Harvard University one of the best values in the United States. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Harvard University Architectural History students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $101,817 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted. More on Harvard University
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $102,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical Architectural History student debt is $20,115. University Of Illinois At Chicago alumni report median earnings of $68,740 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%. Get the full University Of Illinois At Chicago report
Savannah College Of Art And Design offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Savannah, GA, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,630. Graduates carry a median of $26,346 in student loans. Savannah College Of Art And Design alumni report median earnings of $45,954 a decade after entry. Set against $26,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants. Read more about Savannah College Of Art And Design
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus report
Clemson University offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Read the full report on Clemson University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
Endicott College
Endicott College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. See the full Endicott College profile
Washington University In St Louis landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Washington University In St Louis
University Of Miami placed #14 among the best-value Architectural History schools in the United States. See the full University Of Miami profile
Northeastern University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural History schools. Read the full report on Northeastern University
Ball State University offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Read more about Ball State University
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Central New Mexico Community College
University Of San Diego placed #18 among the best-value Architectural History schools in the United States. Read more about University Of San Diego
Belmont University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. See the full Belmont University profile
Vanderbilt University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Drexel University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Get the full Drexel University report
Amherst College
Amherst College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Architectural History schools. See the full Amherst College profile
Cornish College Of The Arts offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Get the full Cornish College Of The Arts report
University Of Southern California landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Southern California
Roger Williams University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Get the full Roger Williams University report
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Architectural History Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Smith College
Smith College placed #26 among the best-value Architectural History schools in the United States. Read the full report on Smith College
Boston University placed #27 among the best-value Architectural History schools in the United States. More on Boston University
Syracuse University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. More on Syracuse University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Depaul University offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. More on Depaul University
Rice University
Rice University landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Rice University profile
Cornell University placed #32 among the best-value Architectural History schools in the United States. More on Cornell University
Barnard College
Barnard College came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Barnard College
Related Architectural History Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Architectural History Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Architectural History Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural History Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural History Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural History Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural History Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Architectural History Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 33 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).